This final rule amends FRA's passenger
equipment safety standards using a performance-based approach to
adopt new and modified requirements governing the construction of
conventional and high-speed passenger rail equipment. This final
rule adds a new tier of passenger equipment safety standards (Tier
III) to facilitate the safe implementation of nationwide,
interoperable high-speed passenger rail service at speeds up to 220
mph. While Tier III trainsets must operate in an exclusive
right-of-way without grade crossings at speeds above 125 mph, these
trainsets can share the right-of-way with freight trains and other
tiers of passenger equipment at speeds not exceeding 125 mph. This
final rule also establishes crashworthiness and occupant protection
performance requirements in the alternative to those currently
specified for Tier I passenger trainsets. Together, the Tier III
requirements and Tier I alternative crashworthiness and occupant
protection requirements remove regulatory barriers and enable use
of new technological designs, allowing a more open U.S. rail
market. Additionally, the final rule increases from 150 mph to 160
mph the maximum speed for passenger equipment that complies with
FRA’s Tier II requirements.
US Code:
49
USC 20133 Name of Law: Railroad Safety Authorization Act of
1994
The total burden requested for
this revised collection of information exhibits an increase of
162,141 hours and a decrease of 7,513 responses from the last
approved submission. The increase in burden hours is due to both
program changes under the rule’s new requirements, but is
overwhelmingly due to adjustments. The two tables provided in the
answer to question number 15 of the attached Supporting
Justification depict both the program changes and adjusted
estimates. Program changes shown in the provided table in question
number 15 of the Supporting Justification increased the burden by
1,443 hours and increased the number of responses by 1,639.
Adjustments shown in the provided table in question number 15 of
the Supporting Justification increased the burden by 160,698 hours
and decreased the number of responses by 9,152. The current
inventory burden shows a total of 4,438,132 hours, while this
revised submission reflects a total burden of 4,600,273 hours.
Hence, there is an increase of 162,141 hours. The cost to
respondents has increased by $131,587 from the last approved
submission. The change in cost is the result of program changes in
this final rule. The previous submission reflected a total cost to
respondents of $62,040, while the present submission reflects a
total cost to respondents of $193,627. Hence, there is an increase
in cost of $131,587.
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.