Rail Integrity and Track Safety Standards

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2130-0010_Rail Integrity and Track Safety Standards_Final.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-10-07
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 and Track Safety Standards	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0010	ICR Reference No: 202009-2130-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202006-2130-001
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Rail Integrity and 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: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 12/03/2020
	Date Received in OIRA: 10/21/2020
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12/31/2023	36 Months From Approved	08/31/2023
Responses	1,429,776	0	1,404,410
Time Burden (Hours)	234,016	0	233,899
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: FRA is revising its regulations, 49 CFR part 213, governing the minimum safety requirements for railroad track. The 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 information collection associated with this part is used by FRA to ensure and enhance rail safety by monitoring complete compliance with all regulatory requirements. The information collected and reviewed by FRA as a result of the Track Safety Standards enhance rail safety by ensuring that track owners designate only qualified persons to inspect and maintain track and to supervise restorations and renewals of track under traffic conditions. This, in turn, will help to reduce the number of accidents/incidents and corresponding injuries, deaths, and property damage. This information also helps railroads address and correct track problems and provides invaluable information in the event of a train derailment, collision, or other train accident/incident. This information collection is mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for recordkeeping.

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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	Final or interim final rulemaking	85 FR 63362	10/07/2020

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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 and Track Safety Standards

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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	1,429,776	1,404,410	0	25,116	250	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	234,016	233,899	0	96	21	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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. The current OMB agency inventory exhibits a total burden of 233,899 hours and 1,404,410 responses, while the present submission reflects a total burden of 234,016 hours and 1,429,776 responses. Overall, the burden for this submission has increased by 117 hours and by 25,366 responses due to a program change (96 hours) and one adjustment (21 hours). The specific information on any burden that has changed is reported in question 15 of the supporting justification.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $108,209

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? No

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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: 10/21/2020

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