The information collected is used by FRA to ensure that railroads adopt and implement a formal program for certifying conductors so that only qualified persons serve as railroad conductors and passenger conductors in order to enhance the safety of daily railroad operations throughout the nation and to reduce the rate, severity, and number of train accidents/incidents that occur each year. The information collected will also be used to verify that railroads establish a formal program for training prospective and experienced conductors in order to determine that these individuals are competent before permitting them to serve in these safety-sensitive positions.
****It should be pointed that this collection of information is mandatory under 49 CFR Part 242. Entities required to respond include Class I, Class II, Class III, and commuter railroads. Respondents also include train conductors/train conductor candidates. Information collection requirements include both reporting and record keeping as well as training requirements. Information collected by FRA is on occasional as well as an annual basis.
This is a request for an extension with change to the previously approved collection of information associated with 49 CFR Part 242. The burden for this information collection has decreased by 9,911 hours and by 1,536 responses from the last approved submission. The decrease in burden is due solely to adjustments, which are delineated in the table provided in the answer to question number 15 of the attached Supporting Justification.
Total adjustments shown in the table provided decreased the burden by 9,911 hours and decreased the number of responses by 1,536.
The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 866,317 hours and 270,335 responses, while the present submission exhibits a total burden of 856,406 hours and 268,799 responses. Hence, there is a total burden decrease of 9,911 hours and 1,536 responses.
Based on the revised estimates, the cost to respondents from the previous submission has decreased by $390 (from $1,410,055 to $1,409,665). The change in cost to respondents is due to the following adjustments:
(1) Certification Program Submissions to FRA (§ 242.101/103) (estimate went from six (6) to five (5) submissions @$10 each for postage/handling, and the cost decreased by $10 (from $60 to $50).
(2) Certification Program Copies to Rail Labor Organizations (§ 242.101/103) (estimate went from 48 copies to 40 copies @$10 each for postage/handling), and thus decreased the cost by $80 (from $480 to $400).
(3) Comments to FRA on Modified Certification Program Submissions to FRA and copy of comments to Railroads (§ 242.101/103) (estimate went from 35 to 15 @$5 each for postage/handling), and thus decreased the cost by $200 (from $350 to $150).
(4) Railroad Material Modification Submissions to FRA on Conductor Certification Program) (§ 242.101/103 (estimate went from 25 material modification program submissions @ $10 ea. to 15 comments material modification program submissions @$10 each for postage/handling), and thus the cost decreased by $100 (from $250 to $1
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.
Feb . 20, 2018, FR Notice (30-Day; Occ, Noise).pdf
Conductor Certification 0596R2.doc
Conductor Certification