[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 2, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20530-20531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-08792]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2017-0002-N-12]
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) and its
implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the proposed
information collection activities listed below. Before submitting these
information collection requests (ICR) to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific
aspects of the activities identified below.
DATES: Comments must be received no later than July 3, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the information collection
activities by mail to either: Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal
Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 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-XXXX,'' and
should also include the title of the ICR. Alternatively, comments may
be faxed to (202) 493-6216 or (202) 493-6497, or emailed 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: Ms. Kim Toone, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Office of Information Technology, RAD-20, Federal
Railroad
[[Page 20531]]
Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Mail Stop 35, Washington,
DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6132). (This telephone number is 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
provide 60-days' notice to the public to allow comment on information
collection activities before seeking OMB approval of the activities.
See 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 parties to comment on
the following summary of proposed information collection activities
regarding: (1) Whether the information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether
the activities will have practical utility; (2) 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; (3) ways for FRA to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (4) ways
for FRA to minimize the burden of information collection activities on
the public by automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques and other forms of information technology (e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses). See 44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A); 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1).
FRA believes that soliciting public comment will promote its
efforts to reduce the administrative and paperwork burdens associated
with the collection of information that Federal regulations mandate. In
summary, FRA reasons that comments received will advance three
objectives: (1) Reduce reporting burdens; (2) ensure that it organizes
information collection requirements in a ``user-friendly'' format to
improve the use of such information; and (3) accurately assess the
resources expended to retrieve and produce information requested. See
44 U.S.C. 3501.
Below is a brief summary of information collection activities that
FRA will submit for OMB renewed or revised clearance as the PRA
requires:
Title: Experimental Investigation of Automation-Induced Human Error
in Locomotive Cab.
OMB Control Number: 2130-XXXX.
Abstract: The purpose of this collection is to identify and
evaluate the potential for human error associated with the operation of
systems and automation in the locomotive cab. This research addresses
DOT's strategic goal of safety. Once the nature and risk of human error
in locomotive cab systems and automation is better understood, error
mitigating steps can be taken to provide safer systems and reduce the
risk of accidents or incidents involving these systems. FRA will use
the research's results to identify training, operational procedures, or
automation design standards that will improve the safety of automated
systems in locomotive cabs.
Affected Public: Railroad Engineers.
Respondent Universe: 30 Engineers.
Frequency of Submission: One Time.
Reporting Burden:
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Average time
Respondent universe Total annual per response Total annual
responses (hours) burden hours
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Simulator Experience................ 30 Engineers........... 30 6.5 195
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 30.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 195 hours.
Type of Request: New Information Collection Request.
Title: Design and Evaluation of a Robust Manual Locomotive
Operating Mode.
OMB Control Number: 2130-XXXX.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to design and evaluate a
prototype locomotive operating mode that allows an operator to
``manually'' control a train by providing a desired speed target while
the control system determines the throttle notch changes required. This
research addresses DOT's safety strategic goal. Information collected
from this research will be used by researchers and equipment designers
to evaluate the merit of a prototype display and control configuration
maximizing the use of both automation and human capabilities. The
information will also assist the Federal government in recommending
display design standards to the rail industry for future displays and
the results may help design future displays and controls for
locomotives.
Affected Public: Railroad Engineers, College Student Volunteers.
Respondent Universe: Railroad Engineers and College Student
Volunteers.
Frequency of Submission: One time.
Reporting Burden:
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Average time
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual per response Total annual
responses (hours) burden hours
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Simulator Experience................ 30 Engineers and 30 9 270
college students.
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Total Estimated Annual Responses: 30.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 270 hours.
Type of Request: New Information Collection Request.
Under 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.
Sarah L. Inderbitzin,
Acting Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2017-08792 Filed 5-1-17; 8:45 am]
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