[Federal Register: October 29, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 209)]
[Notices]               
[Page 61715-61716]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29oc03-85]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

 
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection Requirements (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The 
ICRs describe the nature of the information collection and its expected 
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting comments on the following collections of information was 
published on August 26, 2003 (68 FR 51323).

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 28, 2003.

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.)

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 issue two notices seeking public 
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve 
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 
1320.12. On August 26, 2003, FRA published a 60-day notice in the 
Federal Register soliciting comment on ICRs that the agency was seeking 
OMB approval. 68 FR 51323. 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. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). 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 that 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. 5 C.F.R. 
1320.12(c.); see also 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The revised 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards For Freight and 
Other Non-Passenger Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes and Drawbars).
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0008.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Businesses.
    Form(s): N/A.
    Abstract: Section 7 of the Rail Safety Enforcement and Review Act 
of 1992, Public Law 102-365, amended section 202 of the Federal 
Railroad Safety Act of 1970 (45 U.S.C. 421, 431 et seq.), empowered the 
Secretary of Transportation to conduct a review of the Department's 
rules with respect to railroad power brakes and, where applicable, 
prescribe standards regarding dynamic brake equipment. In keeping with 
the Secretary's mandate and the authority delegated from him to the FRA 
Administrator, FRA recently published a comprehensive regulatory 
revision of the then current requirements related to the inspection, 
testing, and maintenance of the brake equipment used in freight car 
operations. The Final Rule focused solely on freight and other non-
passenger trains, and codified and solidified the maintenance 
requirements related to the power brake system and its components. The 
collection of information is used by FRA to monitor and enforce safety 
requirements related to power brakes on freight cars. The collection of 
information is also used by locomotive engineers and road crews to 
verify that the terminal air brake test has been performed in a 
satisfactory manner.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 895,011.

    Title: Regional Inspection Point Listing Forms.
    OMB Control Number: 2130-0551.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: State Rail Safety Inspectors.
    Form Number(s): FRA F 6180.106(a)-(e).
    Abstract: Through a direct comparison of inspection data with 
accident/incident data, the collection of information aims to develop a 
profile county-by-county of what there is to inspect, and how much 
inspection activity was done by Federal and State railroad inspectors 
each year nationwide. The information collected will produce 
``snapshots'' which will allow FRA to determine where the gaps are in 
inspection territories so that it can focus inspection resources where 
they will do the most good. As a result of the collection of 
information, FRA will be better able to equalize inspector workloads, 
and will be better able to make informed hiring decisions regarding the 
most effective placement of new inspectors. More targeted inspections 
will permit FRA to maximize its limited resources, and will serve to 
enhance overall safety on the nation's rail system.
    Annual Estimated Burden Hours: 584.
    Addressee: Send comments regarding these information collections to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, 725 Seventeenth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503; 
Attention: FRA Desk Officer.
    Comments are invited on the following: Whether the proposed 
collections of information are necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of FRA, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; the accuracy of FRA's estimates of the burden of the 
proposed information collections; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collections of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    A comment to OMB is best assured of having its full effect if OMB 
receives it within 30 days of publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register.

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


[[Page 61716]]


    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 23, 2003.
Kathy A. Weiner,
Director, Office of Information Technology and Support Systems, Federal 
Railroad Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-27273 Filed 10-28-03; 8:45 am]

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