Track Safety Standards

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2130-0010_Rail Integrity NPRM_Supporting Justification_2.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-01-10
49 CFR 1.89.doc Supplementary Document	2014-01-23
P.L. 110-432 (Sec. 403).doc Supplementary Document	2014-01-23
49 U.S.C. 20142.doc Supplementary Document	2014-01-23
49 U.S.C. 20103.doc Supplementary Document	2013-03-12
49 CFR 213.doc Supplementary Document	2010-01-27

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
26377	Rail Integrity Amendments and Track Safety Standards	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0010	ICR Reference No: 201912-2130-006
Status: Historical Inactive	Previous ICR Reference No: 201703-2130-001
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Track Safety Standards
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Comment filed on proposed rule and continue	Conclusion Date: 04/07/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 01/29/2020
Terms of Clearance: 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
Expiration Date	06/30/2020	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2020
Responses	2,765,261	0	2,765,261
Time Burden (Hours)	1,816,152	0	1,816,152
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: FRA is proposing to revise its regulations governing the minimum safety requirements for railroad track.  The proposed changes include allowing inspection of rail using continuous rail testing; allowing the use of flange-bearing frogs in crossing diamonds; relaxing the guard check gage limits on heavy-point frogs used in Class 5 track; removing an inspection-method exception for high-density commuter lines; and other miscellaneous revisions.  Overall, the proposed revisions would benefit track owners, railroads, and the public by reducing unnecessary costs and incentivizing innovation, while not negatively affecting rail safety.  This information collection is mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for record keeping.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 20103 Name of Law: Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2130-AC53	Proposed rulemaking	84 FR 72526	12/31/2019

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Rail Integrity Amendments and Track Safety Standards

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

Burden Increase Due to: Changing Regulations

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This information collection request is a revision to the last approved submission. FRA is requesting a total burden of 252,712 hours and 2,114,200 responses. The burden then for this submission has decreased by 1,563,440 hours and by 651,061 responses. The change in burden is due both to program changes (an increase) and adjustments (a decrease). FRA provided a thorough review of this package and determined many of our initial figures were based on rough estimates. Additionally, we realized some of the estimates were double counted and others were outdated. Moreover, other estimates were not Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requirements, thus leading to the increased figures, which were decreased accordingly in this submission. Thus, our latest review has refined our estimates to be more accurate.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $104,145

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

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

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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: 01/29/2020

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