[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 163 (Friday, August 22, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44745-44746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21820]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary
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 2 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 October 21, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on any or all of the following
proposed activities by mail to either: Ms. Gloria Swanson Eutsler,
Office of Planning and Evaluation Division, RRS-21, Federal Railroad
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590, or Ms.
MaryAnn Johnson, Office of Information Technology and Productivity
Improvement, RAD-23, Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., 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
________________.'' Alternatively, comments may be transmitted via
facsimile to (202) 632-3843 or (202) 632-3876, or E-mail to Ms. Eutsler
at gloria.swanson@fra.dot.gov, or to Ms. Johnson at
maryann.johnson@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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Gloria Swanson Eutsler, Office of Planning and Evaluation Division,
RRS-21, Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 632-3318) or MaryAnn Johnson,
Office of Information Technology and Productivity Improvement, RAD-23,
Federal Railroad Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC 20590 (telephone: (202) 632-3226). (These telephone numbers are not
toll-free.)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA),
Public Law 104-13, section 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 2 currently approved information
collection activities that FRA will submit for clearance by OMB as
required under the PRA:
Title: Special Notice for Repairs (49 CFR 216).
OMB Control Number: 2130-0504.
Abstract: FRA and State inspectors have the authority to
immediately order the cessation of use of unsafe equipment, reduce the
authorized operating speed on a section of track, or recommend that
track be removed from service when they are found to be immediately
unsafe for service. The railroad may, within 5 days after receiving
such notice, appeal to FRA.
Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.8 and 8a.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 680 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reporting Burden:
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Total
annual
Information collection requirement Respondent universe Total responses Average time per response burden
hours
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Special Notices for Repair........... 680 Railroads..................... 200 notices....................... 5 minutes................... 17
Emergency Order--Track............... 680 Railroads..................... 2 Orders.......................... 1 hour...................... 2
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Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 19.
Status: Regular Review.
Title: Designation of Qualified Persons (49 CFR 215).
OMB Control Number: 2130-0511.
Abstract: Under the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, the
Federal Railroad Administration promulgated the Freight Car Safety
Standards--49 CFR part 215. These standards require each railroad to
conduct regular inspections and take necessary remedial action relative
to repairs or movement for repairs of defective railroad freight cars.
Under part 215.11, railroads are required to designate persons
qualified to inspect freight cars for compliance with part 215 and
persons who shall determine restrictions on movements of defective
cars. Inspectors are designated as qualified to inspect freight cars to
ensure that the cars receive a full and accurate inspection for
compliance with part 215. Under ``Movement of Defective Cars for
Repair'' designated inspectors are necessary to determine what repairs
are necessary for defective freight cars. Repairs to railroad freight
cars are divided into two categories. ``Running'' or light repairs are
confined to defects to freight cars requiring movement of equipment and
repair personnel to the freight car's location. The freight car's
defect or damage repairs can be performed at that location. The second
category is specialized or heavy repairs. the freight car must be moved
to a location where specialized equipment is located. This type of
movement for repairs involves freight cars that may not be safely moved
without precaution. The movement must be authorized by an employee
knowledgeable about equipment limitations which might include speed,
track structure, curvature or other conditions that normally would not
be of concern.
Form Number(s): N/A.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Respondent Universe: 680 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Annual Responses: 1,500 records.
Average Time per Response: 2 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 50 hours.
Status: Regular Review.
Pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 C.F.R. 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, D.C. on August 11, 1997.
Hung Phan,
Acting Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems,
Federal Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 97-21820 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-M
