02-19130. Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to revise the following currently approved information collection: Rail Fixed Guideway Systems, State Safety Oversight.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before September 30, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

All written comments must refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the United States Department of Transportation, Central Dockets Office, PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard/envelope.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Roy Field, Office of Program Management, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection.

Title: Rail Fixed Guideway Systems, State Safety Oversight (OMB Number: 2132-0558).

Background: 49 U.S.C. 5330 requires each State to designate a State Safety Oversight agency to oversee the safety and security operations of “a rail fixed guideway system'' within the State's jurisdiction. To comply with Section 5330, State oversight agencies must require System Safety Program Plans (SSPPs) from rail fixed guideway systems; review and approve these SSPPs; require notification of unacceptable hazardous conditions according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Hazard Classification Matrix; require and review corrective action plans from rail fixed guideway systems to eliminate such conditions; require an ongoing safety audit process at the rail fixed guideway systems; and submit both an annual certification to FTA that the State is in compliance with the requirements of section 5330 and an annual report documenting safety activities. Collection of this information will enable the State oversight agency to monitor effectively the safety of the rail fixed guideway system. Without certification from the State oversight agency, FTA would be unable to determine each State's compliance with Section 5330.

If a State fails to comply with the requirements of section 5330, FTA may withhold up to five percent of funds apportioned under section 5307 to a State, or urbanized area within a State, beginning in Fiscal Year 1997.

Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: Approximately 663.50 hours for each of the 56 respondents.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 37,158 hours.

Frequency: Annual.

Issued: July 24, 2002.

Dorrie Y. Aldrich,

Associate Administrator for Administration.