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