The information collected is used by
FRA to monitor regulatory compliance with 49 CFR 213. The
information collected under section 213.234 is used by FRA to
ensure that automated track inspections of track constructed with
concrete crossties are carried out as specified in this section to
supplement visual inspections and to ensure that qualified rail
personnel take appropriate remedial action, where necessary. This
collection of information is required by Section 403(d) of the Rail
Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 2008. The rule and its associated
information collection fulfill the Congressional mandate, and serve
to enhance rail safety. As noted above, this collection of
information is mandatory under 49 CFR part 213. Respondents are
Class I, large Class II railroads, intercity passenger railroads
and commuter railroads or small governmental jurisdictions that
serve populations greater than 50,000. This collection of
information involves both reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
The collection frequency of the required information occurs on an
occasional basis. There is also one requirement occurring on an
annual basis which pertains to employee training. Reporting
requirements include production of exception reports relating to
automated inspections of track constructed with concrete crossties,
field verification of exception reports by designated employees,
and affected railroads developing and instituting procedures for
integrity of track data collected using the automated measurement
system. Recordkeeping information involves providing copies of
exception reports to designated fully qualified railroad employees.
These railroad employees receive/utilize the the information
concerning automated track inspection reports. Railroads/track
owners must also provide annual training in handling rail seat
deterioration exceptions to all employees designated as fully
qualified under section 213.7, and these records as well as
information about data integrity procedures must be provided to FRA
upon agency request. The purpose of this information collection is
to promote and enhance rail safety by ensuring that automated
inspections of track constructed with concreate crossties are
carried out as specified in section 213.234 to supplement visual
inspections carried out by Class I, Class II, intercity passenger
railroads, commuter railroads to reduce the number and severity of
rail accidents/ incidents and associated injuries, fatalities, and
property damage. As noted in the renewal Supporting Justification,
this information collection request is for an extension with
change.
The burden for this collection
of information has decreased by 802 hours and by 300 responses from
the last approved submission. Based on the latest FRA data, the
decrease in burden is due to solely to adjustments depicted in the
table provided in the answer to question number 15 of the attached
Supporting Justification. Adjustments shown in the provided table
decreased the burden by 802 hours and decreased the number of
responses by 300. The current OMB inventory exhibits a total of
5,677 hours and 2,618 responses, while the present submission
requests a total of 4,875 hours and 2,318 responses. Hence, there
is a decrease in burden of 802 hours and 300 responses. The cost to
respondents decreased by $22 from the last submission. This change
in cost is due to an adjustment in the estimate for the number of
exception report copies (from 150 copies to 75 copies, which
changed the estimated cost from $45 to $23).
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.
ConXTies0592E.doc
Oct. 19, 2017, FR Notice (30-Day).pdf
Track Safety Standards; Concrete Crossties