[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85321-85323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28394]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2016-0002-N-27]
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice
announces that the renewals and reinstatements of the information
collection requests (ICRs) abstracted below are being forwarded to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICRs
describe the information collections and their expected burden. On
September 23, 2016, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period
for public comment on the ICRs.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 27, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Brogan, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Safety
Regulatory Analysis Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 25, Washington, DC 20590, (202)
493-6292, or Ms. Kimberly Toone, Information Collection Clearance
Officer, Office of
[[Page 85322]]
Administration, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal
Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 35,
Washington, DC 20590, (202) 493-6132. These telephone numbers are not
toll-free.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to
issue two notices seeking public comment on information collection
activities before OMB may approve paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506,
3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), and 1320.12. On September 23, 2016,
FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting
comment on ICRs for which it is now seeking OMB approval. 81 FR 65698-
656701. FRA received no comments in response to that notice.
Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C.
3507(b), 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also
60 FR 44978, 44983, August 29, 1995. OMB believes the 30-day notice
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
The summary below describes the ICRs and their expected burdens.
Title: Alleged Violation Reporting Form.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0590.
Abstract: The Alleged Violation Reporting Form is a response to
section 307(b) of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, signed into
law by President George W. Bush on October 16, 2008, which requires FRA
to ``provide a mechanism for the public to submit written reports of
potential violations of Federal railroad safety and hazardous materials
transportation laws, regulations, and orders to the Federal Railroad
Administration.'' The Alleged Violation Reporting Form allows the
general public to submit alleged violations directly to FRA. The form
allows FRA to collect information necessary to investigate the alleged
violation and to follow up with the submitting party.
The Alleged Violation Reporting Form collects the name, telephone
number and email address of the person submitting the alleged
violations; the preferred method to contact the person; the railroad or
company name that committed the alleged violation, the date and time
the alleged violation occurred; the location the alleged violation
occurred; and details about the alleged violation. All information is
voluntary. FRA collects the information via a form on the FRA public
Web site. FRA may share the information collected with FRA employees,
State DOT partners, and law enforcement agencies.
Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved
information collection.
Affected Public: General Public.
Form(s): FRA F 6180.151.
Total Annual Estimated Burden: 80 hours.
Total Annual Estimated Responses: 480.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0516.
Abstract: The regulations at 49 CFR 218.30 and 218.77 ensure
remotely controlled switches are properly lined to protect workers who
are vulnerable to being struck by moving cars as they inspect or
service rolling equipment on a particular track or, alternatively,
occupy camp cars. FRA believes that creating required notifications
promotes safety by minimizing mental lapses of workers who are
simultaneously handling several tasks. Sections 49 CFR 218.30 and
218.77 require the operator of remotely controlled switches to maintain
a record of each notification requesting Blue Signal Protection for 15
days. Operators of remotely controlled switches use the information as
a record documenting Blue Signal Protection of workers or camp cars.
This record also serves as a valuable resource for railroad supervisors
and FRA inspectors monitoring regulatory compliance.
Type of Request: Extension with change of a currently approved
information collection.
Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Total Annual Estimated Burden: 30,420 hours.
Total Annual Estimated Responses: 1,825,150.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Bad Order and Home Shop for Repair Card/Tag.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0519.
Abstract: Under 49 CFR part 215, each railroad must inspect freight
cars placed in service and take necessary remedial action when defects
are identified. Part 215 defects are items that have caused accidents
or incidents by freight cars being inadvertently left in service when
not properly tagged. A railroad freight car which has any component
described as defective in part 215 may be moved to another location for
repair only after the railroad has complied the process in Sec. 215.9
to ensure the movement is done safely. Section 215.9 requires railroads
to attach a ``bad order'' or ``home shop for repair'' card/tag (tag)
describing each defect to each side of the freight car. It is
imperative that a defective freight car be tagged so it may be readily
identified as defective and moved to another location for repair
purposes only. At the repair location, the tag serves as a record that
the notification requirements under Sec. 215.9(a)(3) have been
provided to ensure proper handling of freight cars. Railroads must
retain each tag for 90 days to verify proper repairs were made at the
designated location. When inspecting a freight car, FRA and State
inspectors also review tags to determine whether defective cars are
being properly moved according to Sec. 215.9.
Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved
information collection.
Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Total Annual Estimated Burden: 15,750 hours.
Total Annual Estimated Responses: 270,000.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Stenciling Freight Cars.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0520.
Abstract: The requirements for stenciling freight cars that are
placed in service are under 49 CFR 215.301. Section 215.301 requires
railroads and private car owners to stencil or otherwise display
identification marks on freight cars. The identification marks are used
by both FRA and the railroads. FRA uses the identification marks to
determine the railroads affected, the number and type of cars involved,
the commodities being carried, and the territorial and speed limits
within which the cars will be operated. FRA reviews this information to
determine if the freight car is safe to operate, if the operation
qualifies for dedicated service, and is excluded from part 215.
Railroads use the required information to provide identification and
control so that dedicated cars remain in the prescribed service. In
addition, it indicates to FRA that the car is in special service and
certain exceptions have been provided for, with respect to part 215.
[[Page 85323]]
Request: Reinstatement without change of a previously approved
collection that expired.
Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Total Annual Estimated Burden: 18,750 hours.
Total Annual Estimated Responses: 25,000.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Grade Crossing Safety.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0534.
Abstract: FRA believes that highway-rail grade crossing (grade
crossing) accidents resulting from warning system failures can be
reduced. Accordingly, FRA's regulations require railroads to take
specific responses in the event of an activation failure (when a grade
crossing warning system fails to indicate the arrival of a train at
least 20 seconds prior to the train's arrival at the crossing or to
indicate the presence of a train occupying the crossing). Specifically,
railroads must report to FRA every impact between on-track railroad
equipment and an automobile, bus, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, farm
vehicle, or pedestrian at a highway-rail grade crossing involving a
crossing warning system activation failure. Notification must be
provided to the National Response Center within 24 hours of occurrence
at the stipulated toll-free telephone number. Additionally, railroads
must report to FRA within 15 days each activation failure of a highway-
rail grade warning system. Form FRA F 6180.83, ``Highway-Rail Grade
Crossing Warning System Report,'' must be used for this purpose and
completed using the instructions printed on the form. With this
information, FRA can correlate accident data and equipment malfunctions
with the types of circuits and age of equipment. FRA can then identify
the causes of activation malfunctions and investigate them to determine
whether periodic maintenance, inspection, and testing standards are
effective.
Type of Request: Reinstatement with change of a previously approved
collection that expired.
Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Total Annual Estimated Burden: 3,425 hours.
Total Annual Estimated Responses: 15,372.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Bridge Worker Safety Rules.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0535.
Abstract: Under 49 U.S.C. 20139, FRA must issue rules, regulations,
orders, and standards for the safety of maintenance-of-way employees on
railroad bridges, including for ``bridge safety equipment'' such as
nets, walkways, handrails, and safety lines, along with requirements
for using vessels when work is performed on bridges located over bodies
of water. FRA added 49 CFR part 214 to establish minimum workplace
safety standards for railroad employees performing work on railroad
bridges. Specifically, 49 CFR 214.105(c) establishes standards and
practices for safety net systems. Safety nets and net installations
must be drop-tested at the job site after initial installation and
before being used as a fall-protection system, after major repairs, and
at 6-month intervals if left at one site. If a drop-test is not
feasible and is not performed, then the railroad or railroad
contractor, or designated competent person, must certify the net and
its installation comply with the provisions of this section by
preparing a certification record prior to the use of the net. The
certification must identify the net, the date it was determined the net
was in compliance with this section, and the signature of the person
making this determination. Such person's signature must certify the net
and its installation comply with this section. The most recent
certification for each net installation must be available at the
jobsite where the subject net is located. FRA and State inspectors use
the information to enforce Federal regulations. The information
maintained at the job site promotes safe bridge worker practices.
Type of Request: Extension without change of a currently approved
information collection.
Affected Public: Businesses (Railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Total Annual Estimated Burden: 1 hour.
Total Annual Estimated Responses: 6.
Status: Regular Review.
Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management
and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street NW., Washington, DC 20503,
Attention: FRA Desk Officer. Comments may also be sent via email to OMB
at the following address: [email protected].
Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed
collections of information are necessary for DOT to properly perform
its functions, including: (1) Whether the information will have
practical utility; the accuracy of DOT's estimates of the burden of the
proposed information collections; (2) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (3) ways
to minimize the burden of the collections of information on
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB
receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal
Register.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Patrick Warren,
Acting Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-28394 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P