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.
US Code:
49 USC 20103
Name of Law: Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970
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.
$108,209
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yujiang Zhang 202 493-6460
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:
(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.