Driver Awareness of Emergency Notification System (ENS) Signage at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

Forms and Documents

Document	Type	Status	Availability
Form FRA F 6180.163 Driver Awareness of Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) Signage at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings	Form and Instruction	New	Available
DRAFT_ENS_Sign_Justification_PartB_6 14 19_VolpeResponses.doc	Supporting Statement B	Uploaded 2019-06-20	Repair queued
DRAFT_ENS_Sign_Justification_PartA_30July2018 (2).doc	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2019-06-20	Available
Feb. 7, 2019, FR Notice (30-Day).pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2019-02-07	Available
Sept. 17, 2018, FR Notice (60-Day).pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2019-02-07	Available

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
234874	Driver Awareness of Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) Signage at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings	Form and Instruction	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0627	ICR Reference No: 201902-2130-003
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Driver Awareness of Emergency Notification System (ENS) Signage at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 06/21/2019
	Date Received in OIRA: 02/13/2019
Terms of Clearance: Upon completion of the pilot, FRA will submit the findings to OMB/OIRA for review before completing the full study. If any methodological changes are needed due to the pilot, the agency shall submit a revision for review and approval from OMB.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	06/30/2022	36 Months From Approved
Responses	100	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	100	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	11,137	0	0

---

Abstract: FRA is interested in understanding more about drivers’ awareness and understanding of the ENS signs posted at highway-rail grade crossings. ENS signs are placed at crossings so that if a driver encounters a malfunctioning crossing or an unsafe condition at a crossing the driver can call the number on the sign and use the posted crossing identification number to report the issue. If a driver were to become stuck on the tracks, the driver can also call the phone number displayed on the ENS sign to notify the railroad. This would help the railroad slow or stop any oncoming train and dispatch individuals who could help safely remove the stuck vehicle. Drivers may also choose to call the ENS number if they believe the crossing signage is damaged or obstructed. The study will help shed light on how drivers react when crossing infrastructure appears to be malfunctioning or when they become stuck on or near the crossing. This study will pay particular attention to whether drivers look for or attempt to make use of the information on the ENS sign. The proposed study will use the FRA Driving Simulator, housed at the Volpe National Transportation System Center, to study driver behavior, including drivers’ potential interaction with the ENS signage, at a variety of gate types and ENS sign orientations. This study will evaluate each participant’s awareness of the ENS sign and the purpose it serves as well as the participant’s response to various functioning and malfunctioning highway-rail grade crossing warning systems.

---

Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

---

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

---

Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	83 FR 47000	09/17/2018
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	84 FR 2661	02/07/2019
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

---

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Driver Awareness of Emergency Notification Systems (ENS) Signage at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings	FRA F 6180.163, FRA F 6180.158	ENS Driver Awareness Study Consent Form ,   ENS Driver Awareness Participant Open Ended Questionnaire for After the Simulator Study/Exercise

---

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	100	0	0	100	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	100	0	0	100	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	11,137	0	0	11,137	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection of information. Thus, by definition, it is a complete program change.

---

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $143,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

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

---

Common Form ICR:  No

---

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: 02/13/2019

---