The information collected is used by FRA to ensure that railroads adopt and implement a formal program for certifying conductors so that only qualified persons serve as railroad conductors and passenger conductors in order to enhance the safety of daily railroad operations throughout the nation and to reduce the rate, severity, and number of train accidents/incidents that occur each year. The information collected will also be used to verify that railroads establish a formal program for training prospective and experienced conductors in order to determine that these individuals are competent before permitting them to serve in these safety-sensitive positions.
This is a request for a revision to the previously approved collection of information associated with 49 CFR Part 242. The burden for this information collection has decreased by 70,080 hours from the last approved submission. The decrease in burden is due to both adjustments and program changes, which are delineated in the tables provided in the answer to question number 15 of the attached Supporting Justification.
Total adjustments depicted in the provided table decreased the burden by 65,580 hours and decreased the number of responses by 29,741.
Total program changes depicted in the provided table decreased the burden by 4,500 hours and decreased the number of responses by 54,000.
The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 936,397 hours, while the present submission exhibits a total burden of 866,317 hours. Hence, there is a burden decrease of 70,080 hours.
Based on the revised estimates, the cost to respondents from the previous submission has decreased by $34,325 (from $1,144,380 to $1,410,055). The change in cost to respondents is due to the following adjustments:
(1) Certification Program Submissions to FRA (§ 242.101/103) (estimate went from 678 to zero (0) submissions @$10 each for postage/handling, and the cost decreased by $6,780.
(2) Certification Program Copies to Rail Labor Organizations (§ 242.101/103) (estimate went from 200 copies to 48 copies @$10 each for postage/handling), and thus decreased the cost by $1,520 (from $2,000 to $480).
(3) Modified Certification Program Submissions to FRA (§ 242.101/103) (estimate went from 50 to 25 modified submissions @$10 each for postage/handling), and thus decreased the cost by $250.
(4) Comments to Railroad on Employee's Prior Safety Conduct (§ 242.109) (estimate went from 50 comments to 200 comments @$1.50 each for postage/handling), and thus the cost increased by $225 (from $75 to $300).
(5) Other costs â The estimate for development of the ASLRRA generic went from $26,000 to $0 since the plan has already been developed. Thus, the cost decreased by $26,000.
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.
49 CFR 242.doc
Nov. 20, 2014, FR Notice (30-Day).pdf
Conductor Certification