Terms of the
previous clearance remain in effect. Terms of the previous
clearance remain in effect. Terms of the previous clearance remain
in effect. OMB files this comment in accordance with 5 CFR
1320.11(c). This OMB action is not an approval to conduct or
sponsor an information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995. This action has no effect on any current approvals. When
and if the agency submits the ICR associated with the final rule,
the agency is reminded to follow the procedures in 5 CFR 1320
regarding collections associated with rules.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/28/2021
36 Months From Approved
02/28/2021
188,591,224
0
188,591,224
4,791,614
0
4,791,614
0
0
0
FRA is proposing to require the
installation of inward- and outward-facing locomotive image
recording devices on all lead locomotives in passenger trains, and
that these devices record while a lead locomotive is in motion and
retain the data in a crashworthy memory module. FRA also proposes
to treat locomotive-mounted recording devices on passenger
locomotives as “safety devices” under existing Federal railroad
safety regulations to prohibit tampering with or disabling them.
Further, this NPRM would govern the use of passenger locomotive
recordings to conduct operational tests to determine passenger
railroad operating employees’ compliance with applicable railroad
rules and Federal regulations. Note: This collection of information
is mandatory under 49 CFR part 217 and 49 CFR part 218. Respondents
are Class I, Class II, and Class III railroads, and intercity
passenger and commuter railroads. This collection of information
involves both reporting and recordkeeping requirements. The
collection frequency of the required information occurs on an
occasional basis as well as annually. Reporting requirements
include passenger railroads development and adoption of procedures
to ensure random selection of employees by such railroads utilizing
inward-facing locomotive and in-cab audio recordings to conduct
operational tests and inspections. Recordkeeping information
includes railroads utilizing such an image recording system
capturing at least the most recent 12 hours of operation of an
intercity passenger or commuter rail passenger locomotive. Further,
passenger railroads must preserve accident/incident data from
locomotives using such a system at the time of the reportable
accident/incident. Under section 229.136(g), passenger railroads
would have to submit for FRA review and approval locomotive
recording device informattion least 90 days prior to installing the
image recording system, or for existing systems, not more than 30
days after the effective date of the final rule. The purpose of
this information collection is to enhance rail safety and drive
down the number and severity of accidents/incidents and
corresponding injuries, fatalities, and property damage caused by
human factors in the daily operations of the nation’s railroads. As
noted above, this information collection request is a revision to
the previous approval
The burden for this revised
collection of information has decreased by 4,580,699 hours and by
179,350,983 responses. The decrease in burden is due both to
program changes and adjustments. The tables shown in the answer to
question number 15 of the attached Supporting Justification depict
all burden hour and burden response program changes and
adjustments. Program changes shown in the provided tables increased
the burden by 54,888 hours and increased the number of responses by
8,514. Adjustments shown in the provided table decreased the burden
amount by 4,635,587 hours, and decreased the number of responses by
179,359,497. The current OMB inventory for this information
collection exhibits a burden total of 4,791,614 hours and
188,591,224 responses, while the present submission reflects a
burden total of 210,915 hours and 9,240,241 responses. Hence, there
is a total burden decrease of 4,580,699 hours and 179,350,983
responses. The cost to respondents has increased by $6,908,010 from
the previous submission. The increase in cost is due to a program
change resulting from the cost of locomotive recording devices
mandated by the new requirements in this final rule minus the
expected cost savings from unannounced observations and banner test
equivalents ($7,068,010 - $160,659 = $6,908,010).
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.
49 U.S.C. 20168.doc
Railroad Operating Rules