[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 52 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13465-13467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-6544]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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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 activity. 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 May 17, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following
proposed activities by mail to either: Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of
Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC
20590, or Ms. Dian Deal, Office of Information Technology and
Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120
Vermont Ave., NW., 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 2130-0539.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted
via facsimile to (202) 493-6265 or (202) 493-6170, or E-mail to Mr.
Brogan at robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms. Deal at
dian.deal@fra.dot.gov. 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.
[[Page 13466]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert Brogan, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-
21, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop
17, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6292) or Dian Deal,
Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-20,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6133). (These telephone
numbers are not toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Pub. L. 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 are brief summaries of the currently approved information
collection activity that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
Title: Railroad Worker Protection (49 CFR 214).
OMB Control Number: 2130-0539.
Abstract: FRA proposes rules for the protection of railroad
employees working on or near railroad tracks. This regulation would
require 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 would include an
on-track safety, 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
would be subject to review and approval by FRA.
Affected Public: Railroads.
Respondent Universe: 698 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Information collection Average time per Total annual
requirement Respondent universe Total responses response burden hours
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214.303 Railroad on-track Safety 58 Railroads....... 58 Programs........ 1400 hrs./250 hrs.. 55,750
Programs.
214.309 On-track Safety Program
Documents
214.339 Roadway Maintenance
Machines
214.307 Notification to FRA--
Safety Prog. Review
214.311 Written Procedure--Saf.
Proc. Challenges
Subsequent Years................. 1 Railroad......... 1 Program.......... 250 hours.......... 250
214.313 Responsibility--Indiv. 20 Railroads....... 80 challenges...... 4 hours............ 320
Roadway Workers.
214.315/214.333 Supervision and 50,000 employees... 16,350,000 briefng. 2 minutes.......... 545,000
Communication.
214.321 Excl. Track Occup.-- 8,583 employees.... 700,739 authorities 40 seconds......... 7,786
Working Limits.
214.325 Inaccessible Track...... 698 railroads...... 50,000 occurrences. 10 minutes......... 8,333
214.327 Train Approach Warning 698 railroads...... 50,000 designation. 15 seconds......... 208
Provided by Watchmen/Lookouts.
214.335 On-track Safety Proc.-- 698 railroads...... 2,080,000 statmnts. 30 seconds......... 17,333
Lone Workers.
214.341/343 Training and 50,000 employees... 50,000 training 2 minutes.......... 1,667
Qualification. sessions.
214.345 Training & Qual.--Lone
Workers.
214.347 Training & Qual.--
Watchmen/Lookouts.
214.349 Training & Qual.--
Flagman
214.351 Training & Qual.--
Roadway Workers who provide on-
track safety for roadway
workgroups.
214.353 Training & Qual.--
Operators of Roadway Maintenance
Machines.
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Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 636,647.
Status: Regular Review.
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.
[[Page 13467]]
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Issued in Washington, DC on March 12, 1999.
Marie S. Savoy,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-6544 Filed 3-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
