FRA is reminded to ensure that the collection associated with the final rule complies with the requirements in 5 CFR 1320.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
09/30/2017
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2018
27,687,317
0
27,687,317
3,514,805
0
3,514,805
26,000
0
26,000
The Hours of Service Act specifies the maximum hours and conditions of proper rest for employees engaged in one or more critical categories of work. For Hours of Duty records, FRA proposes to allow railroads with less than 400,000 employee hours per year, and contractors and subcontractors providing covered service employees to such railroads to use an automated system, in which employees apply their electronic signatures to the automated records, which are stored in a railroad computer system. The information collected under the proposed rule will be used by FRA and its inspectors to ensure compliance with the Hours of Service Laws and this regulation.
The burden for this collection of information has decreased by 94,961 hours from the last approved submission. The change in burden is due four (4) program changes and one (1) adjustment. The program changes and one adjustment are listed in the tables provided in answer to qustion number 15 of the attached Supporting Justification.
Program changes listed in the first table decreased the burden by 94,951 hours and increased the number of responses by 108,570.
Adjustment(s) in the second table decreased the burden by 10 hours and decreased the number of responses by one (1).
The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 3,514,805 hours, while the present submission reflects a total burden of 3,419,844 hours. Hence, there is a burden decrease of 94,961 hours.
The cost to respondents has increased by $524,727 from the previously approved submission. The change in cost is due to program changes. FRA estimates that hardware, software, and training costs associated with the proposed rule's automated recordkeeping provisions will increase the burden by $392,227 per year. Additionally, the cost to respondents will increase by $132,500 due to program changes resulting from the new requirements under new Subpart F that reflect programming costs for railroads to modify computer software for the bio-mathematical models of fatigue that they will use for work schedule analyses. Further, the increase in cost reflects training and support costs for employees from the railroad who will be performing the work schedule analysis.
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.
Form FRA F 6180.3 Hours of Service Regulations
drfHrsServElecRcdNPRM.doc
Hours of Service Regulations