[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 3, 2014)] [Notices] [Pages 52409-52413] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2014-20911] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Railroad Administration [Docket No. FRA-2014-0011-N-16] Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and its implementing regulations, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hereby announces that it is seeking renewal of the following currently approved information collection activities. Before submitting the information collection requests (ICRs) below for clearance by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified below. DATES: Comments must be received no later than November 3, 2014. ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Safety, Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590. Commenters requesting FRA to acknowledge receipt of their respective comments must include a self-addressed stamped postcard stating, ``Comments on OMB control number 2130-.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6497, or via email to Mr. Brogan at [email protected], or to Ms. Toone at [email protected]. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number in any correspondence submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in response to this notice in a subsequent notice and include them in its information collection submission to OMB for approval. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493- 6132). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Public Law 104-13, sec. 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60-days notice to the public for comment on information collection activities before seeking approval for reinstatement or renewal by OMB. 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), 1320.10(e)(1), 1320.12(a). Specifically, FRA invites interested respondents to comment on the following summary of proposed information collection activities regarding (i) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (iii) ways for FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (iv) ways for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)(i)-(iv); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1)(i)-(iv). FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information mandated by Federal regulations. In summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three objectives: (i) Reduce reporting burdens; (ii) ensure that it organizes information collection requirements in a ``user friendly'' format to improve the use of such information; and (iii) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501. Below is a brief summary of currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA: Title: Roadway Worker Protection. OMB Control Number: 2130-0539. Abstract: This rule establishes regulations governing the protection of railroad employees working on or near railroad tracks. The regulation requires that each railroad devise and adopt a program of on-track safety to provide employees working along the railroad with protection from the hazards of being struck by a train or other on- track equipment. Elements of this on-track safety program include an on-track safety manual; a clear delineation of employers' responsibilities, as well as employees' rights and responsibilities thereto; well-defined procedures for communication and protection; and annual on-track safety training. The program adopted by each railroad is subject to review and approval by FRA. Part 214 regulations have been deemed different enough from the part 213 regulations as to require a separate and distinct reporting form (new Form FRA F 6180.119). Regardless of discipline, the FRA inspector will complete the new Roadway Workplace Safety Violation Report Form (FRA F 6180.119) when recommending civil penalties for part 214 infractions. Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.119. Affected Public: Businesses/Individuals. Respondent Universe: 718 Railroads; 50,000 Roadway Workers. Frequency of Submission: On occasion. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total annual Average time per annual CFR Section Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Form FRA F 6180.119--Part 214 350 Safety 150 forms........... 4 hours............. 600 Railroad Workplace Safety Inspectors. Violation Report. 214.303--Railroad On-Track Safety Programs: --Amendments to Programs..... 60 Railroads........ 20 amend. + 584 20 hours; 4 hrs..... 2,736 amend. [[Page 52410]] --Subsequent Years: New 5 New Railroads..... 5 new prog.......... 250 hours........... 1,250 Programs. 214.313--Good Faith Challenges to 20 Railroads........ 80 challenges....... 4 hours per 320 On-Track Safety Rules. challenge. 214.315/335--Supervision +communication: --Regular Job Briefings...... 50,000 Rdwy Workers. 16,350,000 brf...... 2 minutes........... 545,000 --Adjacent-Track Safety 24,500 Rdwy Workers. 2,403,450 brf....... 30 seconds.......... 20,029 Briefings (New). 214.321--Exclusive Track Occupancy: Working Limits: --Written authority to 8,583 Roadway 700,739 authorities. 1 minute............ 11,679 roadway worker in charge. Workers. 214.325--Train Coordination-- 50,00 Roadway 36,500 comm......... 15 seconds.......... 152 Establishing Working Limits Workers. through Communication. 214.327--Inaccessible Track: --Working Limits on Non- 718 Railroads....... 50,000 notifications 10 minutes.......... 8,333 controlled Track: Notifications. 214.336--Procedures for Adjacent- Track Movements Over 25 mph: --Notifications/Watchmen/ 100 Railroads....... 10,000 notific...... 15 seconds.......... 42 Lookout Warnings. --Roadway Worker 100 Railroads....... 3,000 comm.......... 1 minute............ 50 Communication with Train Engineers or Equipment Operators. --Procedures for Adjacent- 100 Railroads....... 3,000 notific....... 15 seconds.......... 13 Track Movements 25 mph or less. --Notifications/Watchmen/ Lookout Warnings. --Roadway Worker 100 Railroads....... 1,500 comm.......... 1 minute............ 25 Communication with Train Engineers or Equipment Operators. --Exceptions to the 100 Railroads....... 1,030,050 briefings. 15 seconds.......... 4,292 requirements in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) for adjacent-controlled-track on- track safety: Work activities involving certain equipment and purposes--On- Track Job Safety Briefings. 214.337--On-Track Safety 718 Railroads....... 2,080,000 statements 30 seconds.......... 17,333 Procedures for Lone Workers: Statements by Lone Workers. 214.343/345/347/349/351/353/355-- 50,000 Rdwy Workers. 50,000 tr. RW....... 4.5 hours........... 225,000 training. --Additional on-track safety 35,000 Rdwy Workers. 35,000 tr. RW....... 5 min............... 2,917 training (New). --Records of Training........ 50,000 Roadway 50,000 records...... 2 min............... 1,667 Workers. 214.503--Good Faith Challenges; Procedures for Notification and Resolution: --Notifications for Non- 50,000 Rdwy Workers. 125 notific......... 10 minutes.......... 21 Compliant Roadway Maintenance Machines or Unsafe Condition. --Resolution Procedures...... 644 Railroads....... 10 procedures....... 2 hours............. 20 214.505--Required Environmental 644 Railroads/200 500 lists........... 1 hour.............. 500 Control and Protection Systems contractors. for New On-Track Roadway Maintenance Machines with Enclosed Cabs: --Designations/Additions to 644 Railroads/200 150 additions/ 5 minutes........... 13 List. contractors. designations. 214.507--A-Built Light Weight on 644 Railroads....... 1,000 stickers...... 5 minutes........... 83 New Roadway Maintenance Machines. 214.511--Required Audible Warning 644 Railroads....... 3,700 identified 5 minutes........... 308 Devices for New On-Track Roadway mechanisms. Maintenance Machines. 214.513--Retrofitting of Existing On-Track Roadway Maintenance Machines:. --Identification of 703 Railroads....... 200 mechanisms...... 5 minutes........... 17 Triggering Mechanism--Horns. 214.515--Overhead Covers for 644 Railroads....... 500 requests + 500 10 minutes; 20 250 Existing On-Track Roadway responses. minutes. Maintenance Machines. 214.517--Retrofitting of Existing 644 Railroads....... 500 stencils........ 5 minutes........... 42 On-Track Roadway Maintenance Machines Manufactured On or After Jan. 1, 1991. 214.518--Safe and Secure Position for riders:. --Positions identified by 644 Railroads....... 1,000 stencils...... 5 minutes........... 83 stencilings/markings/notices. 214.523--Hi-Rail Vehicles-- 644 Railroads....... 2,000 records....... 60 minutes.......... 2,000 Inspections/Records: --Non-Complying Conditions... 644 Railroads....... 500 tags + 500 10 min.; 15 min..... 208 reports. 214.527--On-Track Roadway 644 Railroads....... 550 tags + 550 5 min.; 15 min...... 184 Maintenance Machine; Inspection reports. for Compliance and Repair Schedules. [[Page 52411]] 214.533--Schedule of Repairs 644 Railroads....... 250 records......... 15 minutes.......... 63 Subject to Availability of Parts--Records of Compliance with this Section. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Responses: 22,816,613. Total Estimated Annual Burden: 845,230 hours. Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. Title: Conductor Certification. OMB Control Number: 2130-0596. Abstract: On November 9, 2011, FRA issued regulations for certification of conductors, as required by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. See 76 FR 69802. This rule requires railroads to have a formal program for certifying conductors. As part of that program, railroads are required to have a formal process for training prospective conductors and determining that all persons are competent before permitting them to serve as a conductor. FRA issued this regulation to ensure that only those persons who meet minimum Federal safety standards serve as conductors, to reduce the rate and number of accidents and incidents, and to improve railroad safety. Although this rule does not propose any specific amendments to the regulation governing locomotive engineer certification, it does highlight areas in that regulation that may require conforming changes. The information collected under this rule is used by FRA to ensure that railroads and their employees fully comply with all the requirements of part 242, including a conductor certification/recertification program, fitness requirements, initial and periodic testing of conductors, territorial qualifications, etc. Form Number(s): N/A. Affected Public: Businesses. Respondent Universe: 677 railroads. Frequency of Submission: On occasion; annually. Reporting Burden: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Total annual Average time per annual CFR Section/Subject Respondent universe responses response burden hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 242.9--Waivers--Petitions........ 677 railroads....... 10 petitions........ 3 hours............. 30 242.101/103--Certification 677 railroads....... 678 programs........ 160 hrs./581 Hrs./ 16,799 Program: Written Program for 15.5 hrs.. Certifying Conductors. Approval of Design of Programs: --Certification Programs for 6 railroads......... 6 new prog.......... 15.5 hours.......... 93 New RRs. --Conductor Certification 677 railroads....... 200 copies.......... 15 minutes.......... 50 Submission Copies to Rail Labor Organizations. --Affirmative Statements that 677 railroads....... 200 statements...... 15 minutes.......... 50 Copies of Submissions Sent to RLOs. --Certified Comments on 677 railroads....... 35 comments......... 4 hours............. 140 Submissions. --Certification Programs 677 railroads....... 10 programs......... 4 hours............. 40 Disapproved by FRA and then Revised. --Revised Certification 677 railroads....... 3 programs.......... 2 hours............. 6 Programs Still Not Conforming and Then Resubmitted. --Certification Programs 677 railroads....... 50 programs......... 2 hours............. 100 Materially Modified After Initial FRA Approval. --Materially Modified 677 railroads....... 3 programs.......... 2 hours............. 6 hours Programs Disapproved by FRA & Then Revised. --Revised Programs 677 railroads....... 1 program........... 2 hours............. 2 hours Disapproved and Then Resubmitted. 242.105 --Implementation Schedule: --Designation of Certified 677 railroads....... 48,600 designations. 5 minutes........... 4,050 Conductors (Class I Railroads). --Issued Certificates (1/3 677 railroads....... 16,200 certif....... 1 hour.............. 16,200 each year). --Designation of Certified 677 railroads....... 5,400 design........ 5 minutes........... 450 Conductors (Class II and III Railroads). --Issued Certificates (1/3 677 railroads....... 1,800 certif........ 1 hour.............. 1,800 each year). --Requests for Delayed 677 railroads....... 5,000 request....... 30 minutes.......... 2,500 Certification. --Testing/Evaluation to 677 railroads....... 1,000 tests......... 560 hours........... 560,000 Certify Persons. --Testing/Evaluation to 627 railroads....... 100 tests........... 400 hours........... 40,000 Certify Conductors (Class III). 242.107--Types of Service-- 677 railroads....... 25 conductor Tests/ 8 hours............. 200 Reclassification to Diff. Type Evaluations. of Cert. 242.109--Opportunity by RRs for 677 Railroads....... 200 records + 200 30 minutes + 10 133 Certification Candidates to comments. minutes. Review and Comment on Prior Safety Record 242.111--Prior Safety Conduct As Motor Vehicle Operator: --Eligibility Determinations. 677 Railroads....... 1,100 dtrmin........ 10 minutes.......... 183 --Initial Certification for 677 Railroads....... 75 certific......... 10 minutes.......... 13 60 Days. --Recertification for 60 Days 677 Railroads....... 125 recertif........ 10 minutes.......... 21 --Driver Info. Not Provided 677 Railroads....... 25 requests......... 2 hours............. 50 and Request for Waiver by Persons/RR. [[Page 52412]] --Request to Obtain Driver's 54,000 Conductors/ 18,000 req.......... 15 minutes.......... 4,500 License Information From Persons. Licensing Agency. --Requests for Additional 54,000 Conductors/ 25 requests......... 10 minutes.......... 4 Information From Licensing Persons. Agency. --Notification to RR by 54,000 Conductors/ 2 notifications..... 10 minutes.......... .33 Persons of Never Having a Persons. License. --Report of Motor Vehicle 54,000 Conductors... 200 reports......... 10 minutes.......... 33 Incidents. --Evaluation of Driving 54,000 Conductors... 18,000 eval......... 15 minutes.......... 4,500 Record. --DAC Referral by RR After 677 Railroads....... 180 referrals....... 5 minutes........... 15 Report of Driving Drug/ Alcohol Incident. --DAC Request and Supply by 677 Railroads....... 5 requests/Records.. 30 minutes.......... 3 Persons of Prior Counseling or Treatment. --Conditional Certifications 677 Railroads....... 50 certificat....... 4 hours............. 200 Recommended by DAC. 242.113--Prior Safety Conduct As 54,000 conductors... 360 requests/....... 15 minutes +........ 270 Employee of a Different Railroad. 360 records......... 30 minutes.......... 242.115--Substance Abuse Disorders and Alcohol Drug Rules Compliance: --Meeting Section's 54,000 conductors... 18,000 2 minutes........... 600 Eligibility Reqmnt. determinations. --Written Documents from DAC 677 railroads....... 400 docs............ 30 minutes.......... 200 Person Not Affected by a Disorder. --Self-Referral by Conductors 54,000 conductors... 10 self-referrals... 10 minutes.......... 2 for Substance Abuse Counseling. --Certification Reviews for 677 railroads....... 18,000 reviews...... 10 minutes.......... 3,000 Occurrence/Documentation of Prior Alcohol/Drug Conduct by Persons/Conductors. --Written Determination That 677 railroads....... 150 determin........ 60 minutes.......... 150 Most Recent Incident Has Occurred. --Notification to Person That 677 railroads....... 150 notific......... 10 minutes.......... 25 Recertification Has Been Denied. --Persons/Conductors Waiving 54,000 conductors... 100 waivers......... 10 minutes.......... 17 Investigation. 242.117--Vision and Hearing Acuity: --Determination Vision 677 railroads....... 18,000 deter........ 20 minutes.......... 6,000 Standards Met. --Determination Hearing Stds. 677 railroads....... 18,000 deter........ 20 minutes.......... 6,000 Met. --Additional Gap Hearing 677 railroads....... 200 deter........... 20 minutes.......... 67 Tests. --Medical Examiner 677 railroads....... 18,000 certif....... 2 hours............. 36,000 Certificate That Person Has Been Examined/Passed Test. --Document Standards Met with 677 railroads....... 50 document......... 30 minutes.......... 25 Conditions. --Document Standards Not Met. 677 railroads....... 25 document......... 30 minutes.......... 13 --Notation Person Needs 677 railroads....... 10,000 notes........ 10 minutes.......... 1,667 Corrective Device (Glasses/ Hearing Aid). --Request for Further Medical 677 railroads....... 100 requests + 100 60 minutes + 2 hours 300 Evaluation for New Evals.. Determination. --Request for Second Retest 677 railroads....... 25 requests + 25 60 minutes + 2 hours 75 and Another Medical Evals.. Evaluation. --Copies of Part 242 Provided 677 railroads....... 677 copies.......... 60 minutes.......... 677 to RR Medical Examiners. --Consultations by Medical 677 railroads....... 100 consults + 100 2 hours + 10 minutes 217 Examiners with Railroad certif.. Officer and Issue of Conditional Certification. --Notification by Certified 677 railroads....... 10 notific.......... 10 minutes.......... 2 Conductor of Deterioration of Vision/Hearing. 242.119--Training: --Completion of Training 677 railroads....... 678 Programs........ 36 hours/70 hrs/3 3,751 Program. hrs. --Modification to Training 677 railroads....... 678 Programs........ 12 hrs/20 hrs/30 934 Program. min.. --Completion of Training 54,000 Conductors... 18,000 Docs/18,000 1 hour/560 hours.... 10,098,000 Program by Conductors/ Cond.. Persons + Documents. --Modification of Training 677 railroads....... 30 programs......... 4 hours............. 120 Program Due to New Laws/ Regulations. --Consultation with 677 railroads....... 1,000 consult....... 15 minutes.......... 250 Supervisory Employee During Written Test. --Familiarization Training 677 railroads....... 10 trained 8 hours............. 80 Upon Transfer of RR Conductors. Ownership. --Continuing Education of 677 railroads....... 18,000 cont. trained 8 hours............. 144,000 Conductors. cond.. 242.121--Knowledge Testing: --Determining Eligibility.... 677 railroads....... 18,000 deter........ 30 minutes.......... 9,000 --Retests/Re-Examinations.... 677 railroads....... 500 Retests......... 8 hours............. 4,000 242.123--Monitoring Operational Performance: --Unannounced Compliance 677 railroads....... 18,000 tests + 10 minutes + 5 4,500 Tests and Records. 18,000 recd. minutes. [[Page 52413]] --Return to Service That 677 railroads....... 1,000 tests + 1,000 10 minutes + 5 250 Requires Unannounced records. minutes. Compliance Test/Record. 242.125/127--Certificate Determination by Other Railroads/ Other Country: --Determination Made by RR 677 railroads....... 100 determin........ 30 minutes.......... 50 Relying on Another RR's Certification. --Determination by Another 677 railroads....... 200 determin........ 30 minutes.......... 100 Country. 242.203--Retaining Information 677 railroads....... 18,000 recds........ 15 minutes.......... 4,500 Supporting Determination-- Records. --Amended Electronic Records. 677 railroads....... 20 records.......... 60 minutes.......... 20 242.205--List of Certified 677 railroads....... 625 lists........... 60 minutes.......... 625 Conductors Working in Joint Territory. 242.209--Maintenance of Certificates: --Request to Display 677 railroads....... 2,000 request/ 2 minutes........... 67 Certificate. displays. --Notification That Request 677 railroads....... 1,000 notif......... 10 minutes.......... 167 to Serve Exceeds Certification. 242.211--Replacement of 677 railroads....... 500 certific........ 5 minutes........... 42 Certificates. 242.213--Multiple Certificates: --Notification to Engineer 677 railroads....... 5 notification...... 10 minutes.......... 1 That No Conductor Is On Train. --Notification of Denial of 677 railroads....... 10 notific.......... 10 minutes.......... 2 Certification by Individuals Holding Multiple Certifications. 242.215--RR Oversight Responsibility: --RR Review and Analysis of 677 railroads....... 44 reviews/Analyses. 40 hours............ 1,760 Administration of Certification Program. --Report of Findings by RR to 677 railroads....... 36 reports.......... 4 hours............. 144 FRA. 242.301--Determinations--Territor 320 railroads....... 1,080 Deter......... 15 minutes.......... 270 ial Qualification and Joint Operations. --Notification by Persons Who 320 railroads....... 500 Notific......... 10 minutes.......... 83 Do Not Meet Territorial Qualification. 242.401--Notification to 677 railroads....... 40 notific. + 40 60 minutes/60 80 Candidate of Information That responses. minutes. Forms Basis for Denying Certification and Candidate Response. --Written Notification of 677 railroads....... 40 notific.......... 60 minutes.......... 40 Denial of Certification. 242.403/405--Criteria for Revoking Certification; Periods of Ineligibility: --Review of Compliance 677 railroads....... 950 reviews......... 10 minutes.......... 158 Conduct. --Written Determination That 677 railroads....... 950 determin........ 60 minutes.......... 950 the Most Recent Incident Has Occurred. 242.407--Process for Revoking Certification: --Revocation for Violations 677 railroads....... 950 Revoked 8 hours............. 7,600 of Section 242.115(e). Certificates. --Immediate Suspension of 677 railroads....... 950 suspend 1 hour.............. 950 Certificate. Certificates. --Determinations Based on RR 677 railroads....... 950 determin........ 15 minutes.......... 238 Hearing Record. --Hearing Record............. 677 railroads....... 950 records......... 30 minutes.......... 475 --Written Decisions by RR 677 railroads....... 950 decisions....... 2 hours............. 1,900 Official. --Service of Written Decision 677 railroads....... 950 decisions + 950 10 minutes + 5 238 on Employee by RR + RR proofs. minutes. Service Proof. --Written Waiver of Right to 54,000 Conductors... 425 waivers......... 10 minutes.......... 71 Hearing. --Revocation of Certification 677 railroads....... 15 revoked 10 minutes.......... 3 Based on Information That Certifications. Another Railroad Has Done So. --Placing Relevant 677 railroads....... 100 updated records. 1 hour.............. 100 Information in Record Prior to Suspending Certification/ Convening Hearing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Estimated Responses: 354,076. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,972,997 hours. Status: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b), 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520. Issued in Washington, DC, on August 28, 2014. Rebecca Pennington, Chief Financial Officer. [FR Doc. 2014-20911 Filed 9-2-14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-06-P