2013-01198. Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Federal Railroad Administration, 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 these information collection requirements 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 March 25, 2013.

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 25, 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 [phone] or [phone], or via email to Mr. Brogan at [e-mail], or to Ms. Toone at [e-mail]. 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 25, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: [phone]) 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: [phone]). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Pub. L. No. 104-13, § 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 are brief summaries of the two currently approved information collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:

Title: Track Safety Standards.

OMB Control Number: 2130-0010.

Abstract: Qualified persons inspect track and take action to allow safe passage of trains and ensure compliance with prescribed Track Safety Standards. In August 2009, FRA amended the Track Safety Standards to promote the safety of railroad operations over continuous welded rail (CWR). In particular, FRA promulgated specific requirements for the qualification of persons designated to inspect CWR track, or supervise the installation, adjustment, or maintenance of CWR track. FRA also clarified the procedure associated with the submission of CWR plans to FRA by track owners. The final specified that these plans should add focus on inspecting CWR for pull-apart prone conditions, and on CWR joint installation and maintenance procedures. The final rule also made other changes to the requirements governing CWR.

Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.124.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 728 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Reporting Burden:

CFR Section	Respondent universe	Total annual responses	Average time per response	Total annual burden hours
213.14—Excepted Track—Identification	200 railroads	20 orders	15 minutes	5
—Notification to FRA—Removal of Track Segment From Excepted Statutes	200 railroads	15 notices	10 minutes	3
213.5—Responsibility of Track Owners—Assignment to Another Person—Notice to FRA	728 railroads	19 notices	8 hours	80
213.7—Designation of Qualified Persons to Supervise Certain Renewals and Inspect Track	728 railroads	1,500 names	10 minutes	250
—Individuals Designated under paragraphs (a) or (b) of this section who inspect CWR and have completed CWR Training Course	728 railroads	80,000 trained employees	90 minutes	120,000
—Employees authorized by Track Owner to prescribe CWR Remedial Actions	31 railroads	80,000 auth. + 80,000 exams	70 minutes	93,333
—Designations (Partially Qualified under Paragraph c)	31 railroads	250 names	10 minutes	42
213.17—Waiver Petitions	728 railroads	6 petitions	24 hours	144
213.57—Curves; Elevations & Speed Limits—Requests for higher curving speeds	728 railroads	2 requests	40 hours	80
—Implementation Notification to FRA	728 railroads	2 notifications	45 minutes	2
—Requests For FRA Approval—Test Plans	1 railroad	2 test plans	16 hours	32
213.110—Gage Restraint Meas. Systems—Implementing GRMS—Notice to FRA and Technical Report	728 railroads	5 notices + 1 tech. report	45 minutes + 4 hours	8
—GRMS Output Reports	728 railroads	50 reports	5 minutes	4
—GRMS Exception Reports	728 railroads	50 reports	5 minutes	4
—Procedures for Maintaining GRMS Data	728 railroads	4 procedures	2 hours	8
—GRMS Training to Qualified Employees	728 railroads	2 tr. programs + 5 sessions	16 hours	112
—GRMS Inspections—Two Most Recent Records	728 railroads	50 records	2 hours	100
213.118—Continuous Weld Rail (CWR)—Track Owner Plans to FRA	728 railroads	728 revised plans	4 hours	2,912
—Notice to FRA & to Affected Employees of Plan's Effective Date	728 railroads	728 notices + 80,000 notices	15 minutes + 2 minutes	2,849
—FRA Required Revisions to CWR Plans	728 railroads	20 revisions	2 hours	40
—Further FRA Amendments to CWR Plans—Annual Retraining of CWR Employees	728 railroads	20 plans	1 hour	20
213.119—Continuous Weld Rail (CWR)—Fracture Reports	239 railroads	12,000 reports	10 minutes	2,000
—Petition to FRA to Conduct Technical Conference on Fracture Report Data	1 RR Association	1 petition	15 minutes	.25
—Comprehensive CWR Training Program for Employees Needing Annual Retraining	239 railroads	240 amended programs	60 minutes	240
—Annual Retraining of CWR Employees	31 railroads	80,000 workers	30 minutes	40,000
—Records of CWR Installations and CWR Maintenance	239 railroads	2,000 records	10 minutes	333
—Records of Rail Joint Inspections	239 railroads	360,000 rcds	2 minutes	12,000
—Records of CWR Periodic Inspections	239 railroads	480,000 rcds	1 minute	8,000
—CWR Procedures Manual	728 railroads	239 Manuals	10 minutes	40
213.233—Track Inspections by Person/Vehicle—Records	728 railroads	12,500 notations	1 minute	208
213.241—Track and Rail Inspection Records	728 railroads	1,542,089 records	Varies with Inspection Type	1,723,941
213.303—Responsibility for Compliance—High Speed Track: Notice to FRA of Assignment of Responsibility	2 railroads	1 notice	8 hours	8
213.305—Designation of Fully Qualified Individuals	2 railroads	150 designations	10 minutes	25
—Designation of Partially Qualified Individuals	2 railroads	15 designations	10 minutes	3
213.317—Waiver Petitions	2 railroads	1 petition	80 hours	80
213.329—Curves, Elevation, and Higher Speed Limits—Notification to FRA of Passenger/Commuter Equipment Operating at Higher Curving Speeds	2 railroads	3 notifications	40 hours	120
—Notification to FRA of Service Over More than One Track by Passenger or Commuter Service Operator	2 railroads	3 notifications	45 minutes	2
213.333—Automated Vehicle Inspection Systems: Track Geometry Measurement System Output Reports	3 railroads	18 reports	20 hours	360
—Exception Printouts	2 railroads	13 printouts	20 hours	260
213.341—Initial Inspection—New Rail and Welds: Mill Inspection—Report	2 railroads	2 reports	16 hours	32
—Welding Plant Inspection—Report	2 railroads	2 reports	16 hours	32
—Inspection of Field Welds—Records	2 railroads	125 records	20 minutes	42
213.343—Continuous Weld Rail—History—Records	2 railroads	150 records	10 minutes	253
213.345—Vehicle Qualification Testing—Results/Records	1 railroad	2 reports	560 hours	1,120
213.347—Automotive or RR Crossing at Grade—Protection Plans	1 railroad	2 plans	8 hours	16
213.369—Inspection Records	2 railroads	500 records	1 minute	8
—Inspection Records of Defects and Remedial Actions	2 railroads	50 records	5 minutes	4

Total Responses: 2,813,581.

Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,957,927 hours.

Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.

Title: Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness.

OMB Control Number: 2130-0545.

Abstract: The collection of information is due to the passenger train emergency regulations set forth in 49 CFR parts 223 and 239 which require railroads to meet minimum Federal standards for the preparation, adoption, and implementation of emergency preparedness plans connected with the operation of passenger trains, including freight railroads hosting operations of rail passenger service. The regulations require luminescent or lighted emergency markings so that passengers and emergency responders can readily determine where the closest and most accessible exit routes are located and how the emergency exit mechanisms are operated. Windows and doors intended for emergency access by responders for extrication of passengers must be marked with retro-reflective material so that emergency responders, particularly in conditions of poor visibility, can easily distinguish them from the less accessible doors and windows. Records of the inspection, maintenance, and repair of emergency windows and door exits, as well as records of operational efficiency tests, will be used to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Form Number(s): N/A.

Affected Public: Businesses.

Respondent Universe: 25 railroads.

Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

Reporting Burden:

CFR Section	Respondent universe	Total annual responses	Average time per response	Total annual burden hours
239.13—Waiver Petitions	25 railroads	1 petition	20 hours	20
239.107—Marking of Emergency Window and Door Exits on New Passenger Cars	25 railroads	6,525 labels	10 minutes	706
—Replacement Markings/Decals on Emergency Window and Door Exits	25 railroads	6,320 decals/1,300 decals	5 minutes/10 minutes	744
—Records of Inspections	25 railroads	1,800 window tests/records + 1,200 door test records	20 minutes	1,000
239.101/201/203—Filing of Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP)	3 railroads	1 EPP	158 hours	158
—Amendments to Emergency Preparedness Plan	15 railroads	5 amendments	8 hours	40
239.101(a)(1)(ii)—Maintenance of Current Emergency Telephone Numbers	2 railroads	2 current lists	1 hour	2
239.101(a)(3)—Joint Operations by Railroads —Joint Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP)	5 railroad pairs	1 joint plan	16 hours	16
239.101(a)(5)—Liaison with Emergency Responders—Updated Plans Containing Emergency Responder Liaison Information	25 railroads	25 updated plans	40 hours	1,000
239.101(a)(7)(ii)—Passenger Safety Information—Plans and Posting of Safety Awareness Messages	3 new railroads/3 commuter railroads	1,300 cards/3 plans/3 safety messages/3 plans/3 safety messages	5 minutes/16 hours/48 hours/8 hours/24 hours	396
239.105—Debriefing and Critique After Each Passenger Train Emergency Situation or Full Scale Simulation	25 railroads	44 debriefing/critique sessions	27 hours	1,188
239.301—Operational (Efficiency) Tests of On-board and Control Center Employees and Records of Tests	25 railroads	25,000 tests/records	15 minutes	6,250

Total Responses: 43,536.

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 11,520 hours.

Type of Request: 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 January 15, 2013.

Rebecca Pennington,

Chief Financial Officer, Federal Railroad Administration.