2020-11021. Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request  

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    AGENCY:

    Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).

    ACTION:

    Notice of information collection; request for comment.

    SUMMARY:

    Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. These ICRs describe the information collections and their expected burdens. On March 16, 2020, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICRs.

    DATES:

    Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before June 22, 2020.

    ADDRESSES:

    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICRs should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find the particular ICR by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Ms. Hodan Wells, Information Collection Clearance Officer, Office of Railroad Safety, Regulatory Analysis Division, Federal Railroad Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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    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. See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12. On March 16, 2020, FRA published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting comment on the ICRs for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 85 FR 15020. FRA received no comments in response to this notice.

    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 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, Aug. 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.

    Comments are invited on the following ICRs regarding: (1) Whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its functions, including whether the information 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 to minimize the burden of information collection activities on the public, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

    The summaries below describe the ICRs that FRA will submit for OMB clearance as the PRA requires:

    Title: Railroad Communications.

    OMB Control Number: 2130-0524.

    Abstract: This collection of information is used by FRA to promote safety in rail operations and to ensure compliance by railroads and their employees with all the requirements set forth in 49 CFR part 220. FRA amended its radio standards and procedures to promote compliance by making the regulations more flexible; require wireless communications devices, including radios, for specified classifications of railroad operations and roadway workers; and retitle this part to reflect its coverage of other means of wireless communications, such as cellular telephones and data radio terminals, to convey emergency and need-to-know information. The amended rule established safe, uniform procedures covering the use of radio and other wireless communications within the railroad industry.

    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a currently approved collection.

    Affected Public: Businesses.

    Form(s): N/A.

    Respondent Universe: 746 railroads.

    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4,119,004.

    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 95,902 hours.

    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $7,288,552.

    Title: Passenger Train Emergency Systems.

    OMB Control Number: 2130-0576.

    Abstract: This information collection is due to passenger train emergency systems regulations under 49 CFR part 238. The purpose of this part is to prevent collisions, derailments, and other occurrences involving railroad passenger equipment that cause injury or death to railroad employees, railroad passengers, or the general public, and to mitigate the consequences of such occurrences to the extent they cannot be prevented.

    In its final rule issued on November 29, 2013 (see 78 FR 71785), FRA added requirements for emergency passage through vestibule and other interior passageway doors and enhanced emergency egress and rescue signage requirements. FRA also established requirements for low-location emergency exit path markings to assist occupants in reaching and operating emergency exits, particularly under conditions of limited visibility. Moreover, FRA added standards to ensure emergency lighting systems are provided in all passenger cars and enhanced requirements for the survivability of emergency lighting systems in new passenger cars.

    Type of Request: Extension with change (revised estimates) of a currently approved collection.

    Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).Start Printed Page 31282

    Form(s): N/A.

    Respondent Universe: 34 railroads.

    Frequency of Submission: On occasion.

    Total Estimated Annual Responses: 8,310.

    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 859 hours.

    Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $65,269.

    Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 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.

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    Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

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    Brett A. Jortland,

    Deputy Chief Counsel.

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    [FR Doc. 2020-11021 Filed 5-21-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-06-P