Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2130-0533_LocomotivesEngCert_Final rule.docx Supporting Statement A	2020-12-15
49 CFR 240a.doc Supplementary Document	2013-05-07
49 CFR 1.49a.doc Supplementary Document	2008-12-31
49 USC 20135.doc Supplementary Document	2008-12-31

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
26448	Qualification for Locomotive Engineers	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0533	ICR Reference No: 202012-2130-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201907-2130-003
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Qualification and Certification of Locomotive Engineers
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 12/15/2020

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2022
Responses	224,566	216,630
Time Burden (Hours)	23,964	18,668
Cost Burden (Dollars)	200,670	200,670

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Abstract: FRA is revising its regulation governing the qualification and certification of locomotive engineers to make it consistent with its regulation for the qualification and certification of conductors. FRA is also making conforming amendments to its regulations governing the control of alcohol and drug use, and the qualification and certification of conductors. The changes would reduce regulatory burdens on the railroad industry while maintaining the existing level of safety. Railroad companies and FRA use this information to evaluate the qualifications and fitness of individuals to be certified as locomotive engineers, remote control operators, and train service engineers. The collection of information is used by FRA to ensure that railroads employ and properly train qualified individuals as locomotive engineers and designated supervisors of locomotive engineers. This information collection is mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for recordkeeping and reporting.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 20135 Name of Law: Rail Safety Improvement Act (RSIA) of 1988
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2130-AC40	Final or interim final rulemaking	85 FR 81290	12/15/2020

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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
Qualification for Locomotive Engineers

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	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	224,566	216,630	0	4,326	3,610	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	23,964	18,668	0	1,387	3,909	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	200,670	200,670	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: Currently, the OMB inventory for this collection of information shows a total burden of 18,668 hours and 216,630 responses, while this updated submission reflects a total burden of 23,964 hours and 224,566 responses. Overall, the adjustments increased the burden by 5,296 hours and 7,936 responses due to program change and conforming language in Part 240 to Part 242. There is no change in cost to respondents. The specific information on any burden that has changed is reported under question 15 of the supporting justification.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $411,378

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: 12/15/2020

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