03-16093. Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request  

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    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 (ICRs) 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 August 25, 2003.

    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, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 17, Washington, DC 20590, or Ms. Debra Steward, 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 2130-0005.” Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via facsimile to (202) 493-6230 or (202) 493-6170, or e-mail to Mr. Brogan at robert.brogan@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms. Steward at debra.steward@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.

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    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 Debra Steward, Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-20, Federal Railroad Administration, 1120 Vermont Ave., NW., Mail Stop 35, Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 493-6139). (These telephone numbers are not toll-free.)

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), Pub. L. 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 is a brief summary of the currently approved ICRs that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as required under the PRA:

    Title: Hours of Service Regulations.

    OMB Control Number: 2130-0005.

    Abstract: The collection of information is due to the railroad hours of service regulations set forth in 49 CFR part 228 which require railroads to collect the hours of duty for covered employees, and records of train movements. Railroads whose employees have exceeded maximum duty limitations must report the circumstances. Also, a railroad that has developed plans for construction or reconstruction of sleeping quarters (subpart C of 49 CFR part 228) must obtain approval of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by filing a petition conforming to the requirements of sections 228.101, 228.103, and 228.105.

    Affected Public: Businesses.

    Respondent Universe: 632 railroads.

    Frequency of Submission: On occasion; monthly.

    Reporting Burden: Start Printed Page 37891

    CFR SectionRespondent universeTotal annual responsesAverage time per responseTotal annual burden hoursTotal annual burden cost
    228.11—Hours of duty records632 railroads27,375,000 records2 min/10 min2,962,500$103,687,500
    228.17—Dispatchers of train movements150 dispatch offices54,750 records6 hours328,50011,497,500
    228.19—Monthly reports of excess service300 railroads1,800 reports2 hours3,600126,000
    228.103—Construction of employee sleeping quarters632 railroads1 petition16 hours16560
    49 U.S.C. 521102—Hours of service act12 railroads12 petitions10 hours120$4,200

    Total Responses: 27,431,563.

    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,294,736 hours.

    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.

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

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    Issued in Washington, DC on June 18, 2003.

    Kathy A. Weiner,

    Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal Railroad Administration.

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    [FR Doc. 03-16093 Filed 6-24-03; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-06-P

Document Information

Published:
06/25/2003
Department:
Federal Railroad Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
03-16093
Dates:
Comments must be received no later than August 25, 2003.
Pages:
37890-37891 (2 pages)
PDF File:
03-16093.pdf