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