A Waybill is a document describing the characteristics (such as origin, destination, commodity, weight, rail carriers participating in the movement, and freight revenue) of an individual rail shipment. A Waybill Sample is a statistical sample of waybills for the traffic that a particular carrier handles. This modification and extension request stems from the Boardâs proposed rule to amend its regulations with respect to the Waybill Sample data that railroads are required to submit to the Board. Waybill Sample Reporting, EP 385 (Sub-No. 8) (84 Fed. Reg. 65768 (Nov. 29, 2019)) (NPRM). On September 3, 2020, the Board adopted a final rule consistent with the NPRM.
In Waybill Sample Reporting, EP 385 (Sub-No. 8) (85 Fed. Reg. 54936) (published September 3, 2020), the Board issued new rules adjusting the waybill sampling rate for carriers using a computerized system of reporting and provided a more comprehensive sampling of waybills that would improve the utility of the Waybill Sample for both the Board and other users of waybill data in a variety of contexts (e.g., increasing the reliability of partiesâ evidentiary presentations in certain rate reasonableness proceedings). The changes in reporting procedures would apply to the eight railroads conducting their own sampling, resulting in an estimated one-time burden of approximately 300 hours per railroad. Otherwise, the burdens would remain the same.
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.