Railroad Operating Rules

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
RROperRls0035III.doc Supporting Statement A	2017-11-14
Oct. 19, 2017, FR Notice (30-Day).pdf Supplementary Document	2017-10-19
June 30, 2017, FR Notice (60-Day)).pdf Supplementary Document	2017-10-19
49 CFR 1.89.doc Supplementary Document	2017-10-19
49 CFR PART 218.doc Supplementary Document	2011-06-30
49 CFR 220.21.doc Supplementary Document	2011-06-30
49 CFR 217.doc Supplementary Document	2011-06-30
49 CFR 220.21.doc Supplementary Document	2008-02-13
49 U.S.C. 20103.doc Supplementary Document	2008-02-13

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
26383	Railroad Operating Rules	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0035	ICR Reference No: 201710-2130-002
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201407-2130-001
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Railroad Operating Rules
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 02/23/2018
	Date Received in OIRA: 12/12/2017
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	02/28/2021	36 Months From Approved	02/28/2018
Responses	188,591,224	0	188,659,926
Time Burden (Hours)	4,791,614	0	4,797,428
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: Each railroad is required to maintain a copy of its operating rules, timetables, and timetable special instructions at each division and system headquarters. Through these rules, timetables, and timetable special instructions, as well as other requirements under Part 218, FRA monitors the safety of railroad operations. In particular, FRA reviews railroad operating rules, timetables, timetable special programs, and practices to ensure railroads safely run their trains and provide the necessary instructions to employees so that they can perform their duties in a safe and professional manner. Note: This collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR part 217 and 49 CFR part 218. Respondents are Class I, Class II, and Class III railroads, and intercity passenger and commuter railroads. This collection of information involves both reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The collection frequency of the required information occurs on an occasional basis as well as annually. Reporting requirements include filing of rules, timetables, timetable special instructions, written programs of operational tests and inspections, written quarterly reviews of the railroad accident/incident data, the results of prior operational tests and inspections, and other pertinent safety data, and operating rule modifications among others. Recordkeeping information includes written documentation of the qualification of each railroad testing officer, a record of the date, time, place, and result of each operational test and inspection performed by railroads in accordance with their programs, a copy of each amendment to the railroad’s program of operational tests and inspections, records of periodic reviews, an annual summary on operational tests and inspections for each railroad, a record of the railroad’s current program for periodic instruction of its employees, and written records documenting employees’ successful completion of instruction, training, and examinations for qualification purposes. The purpose of this information collection is to enhance rail safety and drive down the number and severity of accidents/incidents and corresponding injuries, fatalities, and property damage caused by human factors in the daily operations of the nation’s railroads. As noted above, this information collection request is for an extension with change.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 20103 Name of Law: Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 29976	06/30/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	82 FR 48738	10/19/2017
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Railroad Operating Rules

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	188,591,224	188,659,926	0	0	-68,702	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,791,614	4,797,428	0	0	-5,814	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The burden for this collection of information has decreased by 5,814 hours and 68,702 responses from the last approved submission. The decrease in burden is due solely to adjustments. There are no program changes at this time. The table included in the answer to question number 15 of the attached Supporting Justification depicts all the adjustments.: Adjustments shown in the provided table decreased the burden amount by 5,814 hours, and decreased the number of responses by 68,702. The correct current inventory exhibits a burden total of 4,797,428 hours and 188,659,926 responses, while the present submission reflects a burden total of 4,791,614 hours and 188,591,224 responses. Hence, there is a total burden decrease of 5,814 hours and 68,702 responses. There is no change in cost to respondents from the previously approved submission.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $5,885

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 12/12/2017

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