Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
| Published date | 27 March 2024 |
| Record Number | 2024-06512 |
| Citation | 89 FR 21405 |
| Court | Federal Railroad Administration,Transportation Department |
| Section | Notices |
Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 60 (Wednesday, March 27, 2024)
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21405-21408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06512]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2023-0002-N-48]
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its
implementing regulations, this notice announces that FRA is forwarding
the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR
describes the information collection and its expected burden. On
December 26, 2023, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for
public comment on the ICR. FRA received no comments in response to the
notice.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
April 26, 2024.
[[Page 21406]]
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR
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 Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or
telephone: (571) 609-1285; or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: [email protected] or
telephone: (757) 897-9908.
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 December 26, 2023, FRA
published a 60-day notice in the Federal Register soliciting public
comment on the ICR for which it is now seeking OMB approval. See 88 FR
89017. FRA has received no comments related to the proposed collection
of information.
Before OMB decides whether to approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30 days' notice 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 ICR 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 summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB
clearance as the PRA requires:
Title: Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers.
OMB Control Number: 2130-0533.
Abstract: Section 4 of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 1988
(RSIA), Public Law 100-342, 102 Stat. 624 (June 22, 1988), later
amended and re-codified by Public Law 103-272, 108 Stat. 874 (July 5,
1994), required FRA to issue regulations to establish any necessary
program for certifying or licensing locomotive engineers. The
collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads
employ and properly train qualified individuals as locomotive engineers
and designated supervisors of locomotive engineers (DSLEs).
The collection of information is used by FRA to verify that
railroads have established required certification programs for
locomotive engineers and that these programs fully conform to the
standards specified in the regulation.
On December 26, 2023, FRA published a 60-day Federal Register
notice that reflected 23,969 total burden hours and 224,652 responses.
See 88 FR 89017. Upon further evaluation, FRA has determined that 49
CFR 240.119(e)(3)(iii) does not identify any additional paperwork
burden and only specifies the potential length of ineligibility when a
person has been had their certification revoked. Additionally, FRA has
removed the following sections as they were being counted twice: Sec.
240.111, because the written responses for this requirement are already
included under Sec. 240.219; Sec. 240.119(e)(3)(ii), because these
notifications are already included under Sec. 240.119(c); Sec.
240.121, because medical examiner reports are already included under
section Sec. 240.207 (medical certificates); Sec. 240.101, because
material modifications are already included under Sec. 240.103(h); and
Sec. 240.205, because data to an EAP counselor is already included
under Sec. 240.115 (prior safety data criteria).
For additional clarity, FRA is including the updated burden table
for publication with this 30-day Federal Register notice.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in
estimates) of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses (railroads).
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 784 railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Responses: 224,023.
Total Estimated Annual Burden: 23,851 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent:
$2,362,843.
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Total cost
CFR section Respondent universe Total annual responses Average time per Total annual Wage equivalent
response burden hours rate U.S.D
(A)................... (B).................... (C = A * B) (D = C * wage
rates)
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240.9--Waivers...................... 784 railroads.......... 2 waiver petitions.... 1 hour................. 2.00 $85.93 $171.86
240.101--Written certification 5 new railroads........ 5 written programs.... 1 hour................. 5.00 85.93 429.65
program: new railroads.
240.103--Approval of design of 5 new railroads........ 5 program submissions. 1 hour................. 5.00 85.93 429.65
individual railroad programs by FRA.
--(b)(1)--RR provides a copy of 62 railroads........... 62 copies............. 5 minutes.............. 5.17 85.93 444.26
a certification program
submission or resubmission to
the president of the labor
organization representing
employees simultaneously with
filing with FRA.
--(b)(2)--RR affirmative 62 railroads........... 62 copies............. 5 minutes.............. 5.17 85.93 444.26
statement that it has served
certification program copy to
the president of the labor
organization representing
employees' labor unions.
--(c)--RR employee comment on 62 railroads........... 62 comments........... 8 hours................ 496.00 85.93 42,621.28
submission, resubmission or
material modification of RR
certification program.
[[Page 21407]]
--(h)--RR material modifications 784 railroads.......... 10 modified programs.. 10 minutes............. 1.67 85.93 143.50
to program after initial FRA
approval (formerly under (e)).
240.105(c)--Written reports/ 784 railroads.......... 10 written reports.... 30 minutes............. 5.00 123.41 617.05
determinations of DSLE performance
skills.
240.109--Prior safety conduct data.. 17,667 candidates...... 25 responses.......... 5 minutes.............. 2.08 63.07 131.19
240.111--Driver's license data 17,667 candidates...... 17,667 requests....... 10 minutes............. 2,944.50 85.93 253,020.89
requests from chief of driver
licensing agency of any
jurisdiction, including foreign
countries.
--NDR match--notifications and 784 railroads.......... 177 notices, +177 5 + 5 minutes.......... 29.50 85.93 2,197.75
requests for data. requests. 63.07
240.111(g)--Notice to RR of absence 53,000 candidates...... 4 letters............. 5 minutes.............. 0.33 63.07 20.81
of license.
240.111(h)--Duty to furnish data 784 railroads.......... 100 communications.... 5 minutes.............. 8.33 63.07 525.37
within 48 hours of being convicted
or final State action on prior
safety conduct as a motor vehicle
driver's license operator.
240.113--Notice to RR furnishing 17,667 candidates...... 353 requests, +353 5 + 5 minutes.......... 58.84 85.93 4,383.58
data on prior safety conduct-- responses. 63.07
different RR.
240.115 (c) and (d)--RR temporary 784 railroads.......... 25 recertifications... 5 minutes.............. 2.08 85.93 178.73
certification or recertification of
locomotive engineer for 60 days
after having requested the motor
vehicle information specified in
paragraph (h) of this section.
(i)(2)--RR drug and alcohol 17,667 candidates...... 400 requests.......... 5 minutes.............. 33.33 63.07 2,102.12
counselor's request of employee's
record of prior counseling or
treatment.
(i)(3)--Conditional certification 17,667 candidates...... 100 conditional 1 hour................. 100.00 63.07 6,307.00
based on recommendation by DAC of certifications /DAC
employee aftercare and/or follow-up recommendations.
testing for alcohol/drugs when
person evaluated as not currently
affected by an active substance
abuse disorder.
(i)(4)--RR employee is evaluated by 17,667 candidates...... 100 DAC evaluations... 1 hour................. 100.00 63.07 6,307.00
DAC as having an active substance
abuse disorder.
240.117(i)(4)--Early grant or 53,000 locomotive 400 trained/retrained 5 minutes.............. 33.33 63.07 2,102.12
reinstatement of certificate that engineers. records.
has been denied/revoked; records.
240.119(c)--Written records 784 railroads.......... 400 records........... 5 minutes.............. 33.33 63.07 2,102.12
indicating dates that the engineer
stopped performing or returned to
certification service + compliance/
observation test.
240.119(d)(3)--Self-referral to EAP 53,000 locomotive 150 self-referrals.... 5 minutes.............. 12.50 63.07 788.38
re: active substance abuse disorder. engineers.
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240.119(e)(3)(i)--RR determination The burden for this requirement is covered under 240.119(c).
that prior alcohol/drug conduct
requires a written determination
that a period of ineligibility
applies.
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240.121(e)--Criteria--vision/hearing 5 new railroads........ 5 copies.............. 5 minutes.............. 0.42 85.93 36.09
acuity data--new railroads.
--(f)--Criteria--vision/hearing 784 railroads.......... 10 notifications...... 5 minutes.............. 0.83 63.07 52.56
acuity data--not meeting
standards--notice by employee.
240.129(b)--RR records engineer's 53,000 locomotive 1,000 records......... 5 minutes.............. 83.33 85.93 7,160.55
service if stopped performing engineers.
service before both an operational
monitoring observation and an
unannounced compliance test are
completed in a calendar year.
240.201/221--List of DSLEs.......... 784 railroads.......... 784 lists............. 5 minutes.............. 65.33 85.93 5,613.81
--List of Qualified Locomotive 784 railroads.......... 784 updated lists..... 5 minutes.............. 65.33 85.93 5,613.81
Engineers.
240.201/223/301--Locomotive 53,000 candidates...... 17,667 certificates... 5 minutes.............. 1,472.25 85.93 126,510.44
engineer's certificate.
240.207--Medical certificate showing 53,000 candidates...... 17,667 certificates... 30 minutes............. 8,833.50 123.41 1,090,142.24
hearing/vision standards are met:.
--Written determinations 784 railroads.......... 30 determinations..... 5 minutes.............. 2.50 123.41 308.53
allowing person to meet lower
threshold or person no longer
needs to use corrective device
such as glasses or hearing aids.
240.209/213--Written documentation 53,000 candidates...... 17,667 testing records 1 minute............... 294.45 85.93 25,302.09
of knowledge tests of RR rules and retained.
practices.
240.211/213--Written documentation 53,000 candidates...... 17,667 testing records 1 minute............... 294.45 85.93 25,302.09
of performance skills test. retained.
240.215--Retaining info. supporting 784 railroads.......... 17,667 records........ 5 minutes.............. 1,472.25 85.93 126,510.44
determination.
240.219(a)--RR notification letter 17,667 candidates...... 90 letters and 30 minutes............. 45.00 85.93 3,866.85
to employee of certification denial responses.
+ employee written rebuttal.
--RR denial decision............ 784 railroads.......... 45 documents/records.. 2 minutes.............. 1.50 85.93 128.90
240.229(3)(ii)--Joint operations-- 321 railroads.......... 184 employee calls.... 5 minutes.............. 15.33 63.07 966.86
notice--not qualified.
240.301(b)--Temporary replacement 784 railroads.......... 600 replacement 30 minutes............. 300.00 85.93 25,779.00
certificates valid for no more than certificates.
30 days.
240.303--Annual operational 53,000 candidates...... 53,000 testing records 1 minute............... 883.33 85.93 75,904.83
monitoring observation. retained.
[[Page 21408]]
240.303--Annual unannounced 53,000 candidates...... 53,000 testing records 1 minute............... 883.33 85.93 75,904.83
operating rules compliance test. retained.
240.305(c)--Engineer's notice of non- 53,000 engineers or 100 notifications..... 5 minutes.............. 8.33 63.07 525.37
qualification to RR. candidates.
--(d)--Relaying certification 1,060 engineers........ 2 letters............. 15 minutes............. 0.50 63.07 31.54
denial or revocation status to
other certifying railroad.
240.307(a-b)--Revocation of 784 railroads.......... 550 + 550 letters..... 1 + 1 hour............. 1,100.0 85.93 81,950.00
certification--notice to engineer 63.07
of disqualification.
--(b)(4)--RR provision to 784 railroads.......... 690 copies/list....... 5 minutes.............. 57.50 85.93 4,940.98
employee of copy of written
information and list of
witnesses that it will present
at hearing.
--(b)(5)--RR determination on 784 railroads.......... 690 hearing 1 hour................. 690.00 85.93 59,291.70
hearing record whether person determinations.
no longer meets certification
requirements of this part.
--(b)(7)--RR creates/retains 784 railroads.......... 690 hearings/records.. 4 hours................ 2,760.00 85.93 237,166.80
hearing records.
--(c)(11)(i)(ii)--RR written 784 railroads.......... 690 written decisions. 30 minutes............. 345.00 85.93 29,645.85
decision after close of hearing
containing findings of fact and
whether a revocable event
occurred.
--(c)(11)(iii)--RR service of 784 railroads.......... 690 copies............ 5 minutes.............. 57.50 85.93 4,940.98
written decision on employee
and employee's representative.
--(f)--Waiver of right to 784 railroads.......... 750 written waivers... 5 minutes.............. 62.50 63.07 3,941.88
hearing under this section.
240.307(i)-(j)--RR decision not to 784 railroads.......... 50 records of decision 10 minutes............. 8.33 85.93 715.80
revoke certification.
240.309-Railroad oversight 55 railroads........... 55 reviews............ 3 hours................ 165.00 85.93 14,178.45
responsibilities--annual review.
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Total....................... 784 railroads.......... 224,023 responses..... ....................... 23,851 0.00 2,362,843
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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 that does not display a currently valid OMB control
number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Acting Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2024-06512 Filed 3-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
