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 – 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