Extension without change of a currently approved collection
No
Regular
01/27/2022
Requested
Previously Approved
36 Months From Approved
01/31/2022
4,860,940
4,780,138
95,946
4,600,273
324
193,627
The information collection under 49 CFR part 238 is used by FRA to promote passenger train safety by ensuring requirements are met for railroad equipment design and performance, fire safety, emergency systems, inspection, testing, and maintenance, and other provisions for the safe operation of railroad passenger equipment. For instance, the information collected from daily inspections is used to detect and correct equipment problems in order to prevent, to the extent that they can be prevented, collisions, derailments, and other occurrences involving railroad passenger equipment that cause injury or death to railroad employees, railroad passengers, or to the general public. This collection of information is mandatory, collected as needed, and it involves both reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
US Code:
49 USC 20133
Name of Law: Railroad Safety Authorization Act of 1994
The current OMB inventory for this information collection shows a total burden of 4,600,273 hours and 4,780,138 responses, while the requesting inventory estimates a total burden of 95,946 hours and 4,860,940 responses. Also, the previous cost to respondents decreased from $193,627 to $324. There is no change in the method of the collection. The decrease in burden (hourly and cost) is solely the result of adjustments.
FRA made several adjustments to its estimated paperwork burdens in this ICR extension. As detailed in the supporting justification under question 15, FRA determined that many estimated paperwork burdens were either outdated or accounted for in other regulatory sections. Additionally, FRA found the associated burdens related to train equipment inspection and testing, as well as employee training and job briefings have been addressed previously when FRA calculated the economic costs of the regulation. For instance, the burdens previously associated with 49 CFR 238.303(g) and 238.307(e) were significantly adjusted after removing the inspection times from the burden hours. This adjustment is correct because the burden is imposed by the underlying regulation, thus times for the inspection did not arise from this information collection requirement, so it was incorrect to quantify them as costs related to the information collection.
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.