The Locomotive Inspection Act requires railroads to inspect, repair, and maintain locomotives and event recorders so that they are safe, free from defects, and can be placed in service without peril to life. Crashworthy locomotive event recorders will provide FRA with verifiable factual information about how trains are maintained and operated, and will be used by FRA and State inspectors for Part 229 rule enforcement.
As a result of a program change, the burden decreased by 34,233 hours. Specifically, another major railroad -- Norfolk Southern -- is now keeping the daily inspection records required under section 229.21 of the rule electronically. Thus a total of 3,822,000 records (out of a total of 5,655,000 records)or 68 percent of these records are now kept electronically. Overall, the burden decreased by 36,119 hours. The additional decrease of 1,886 resulted from several adjustments in estimate. (Please see the answer to question 15 of the Supporting Justification for a detailed explanation.)
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.