Positive Train Control and Other Signal Systems

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form FRA F 6180.152 Quarterly Report of PTC System Performance (Form FRA F 6180.152) (*formerly biannual report) Form	Modified
Form FRA F 6180.179 PTC--Errors and malfunctions (§ 236.1023 and 236.1029) Form and Instruction	Unchanged
PTC NPRM October 28, 2024.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-10-28
2130-0553_PTC NPRM SJ DRAFT V5 10-28-24.docx Supporting Statement A	2024-10-28
BIL PTC Quarterly Reporting.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-07-12
FAST Act.pdf Supplementary Document	2015-12-28
Section 1302 of Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015.doc Supplementary Document	2015-12-28
49 CFR Part 236.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-07-12
49 CFR 229 (229.135).doc Supplementary Document	2010-01-15
49 U.S.C. 20103.doc Supplementary Document	2008-05-07
49 U.S.C. 20502.doc Supplementary Document	2008-05-07
49 CFR 1.89 -- Delegations to the Federal Railroad Administrator.pdf Supplementary Document	2022-07-12
49 CFR 234 (234.275).doc Supplementary Document	2008-05-07

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
26490	Expedited application for approval (§ 235.6)	Modified
248566	PTC--Field tests, task analysis, and records (§ 236.1031-236.1043)	Modified
248564	Quarterly Report of PTC System Performance (Form FRA F 6180.152) (*formerly biannual report) Form	Modified
248563	PTC--Errors and malfunctions (§ 236.1023 and 236.1029) Form and Instruction	Unchanged
248562	PTC--Plans and analyses (§ 236.1017-236.1021)	Modified
248561	PTC--Documents and plans (§ 236.1007-236.1015)	Unchanged
248560	Positive Train Control Systems (§ 236.1001-236.1006)	Modified
232551	Standards for processor-based signal and train control systems (§ 236.901-236.923)	Unchanged
232550	Rules and instructions and departure test (§ 236.1-236.23 and 236.587)	Unchanged

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0553	ICR Reference No: 202408-2130-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202403-2130-001
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Positive Train Control and Other Signal Systems
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 10/28/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2027
Responses	4,567,839	4,567,826
Time Burden (Hours)	53,310	51,931
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This information collection is mandatory, and is a revision to the last approval. Specifically, on November 15, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Section 22414 of the IIJA impacts FRA’s existing Form FRA F 6180.152, the Biannual Report of PTC System Performance. Section 22414 establishes the same reporting requirement as FRA’s existing regulations, using the same FRA form number and content requirements. However, the statutory reporting requirement is quarterly, not biannual like FRA’s regulations. The reporting and recordkeeping information collected is used by FRA to ensure new or novel signal and train control technologies meet proposed performance standards and work as intended in the US rail environment. Under 49 U.S.C. m §20157, as amended by the PCEI Act. To effectively monitor the industry’s implementation of PTC systems, FRA requires each subject railroad to submit this form as well as other information collection required under Part 236. Information collected is also on an occasional basis as well as monthly, quarterly, and annually.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 20157 Name of Law: Implementation of Positive Train Control Systems
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: PL: Pub.L. 114 - 73 1302 Name of Law: Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2015

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2130-AC95	Proposed rulemaking	89 FR 85462	10/28/2024

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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: 9

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Expedited application for approval (§ 235.6)
PTC--Documents and plans (§ 236.1007-236.1015)
PTC--Errors and malfunctions (§ 236.1023 and 236.1029)	FRA F 6180.179	Errors and Malfunctions Notification Form Instructions
PTC--Field tests, task analysis, and records (§ 236.1031-236.1043)
PTC--Plans and analyses (§ 236.1017-236.1021)
Positive Train Control Systems (§ 236.1001-236.1006)
Quarterly Report of PTC System Performance (Form FRA F 6180.152) (*formerly biannual report)	FRA F 6180.152	Quarterly Report of PTC System Performance
Rules and instructions and departure test (§ 236.1-236.23 and 236.587)
Standards for processor-based signal and train control systems (§ 236.901-236.923)

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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	4,567,839	4,567,826	0	16	-3	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	53,310	51,931	0	1,395	-16	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: Currently, the OMB inventory for this collection of information shows a total annual burden of 51,931 hours and 4,567,826 responses, while this updated submission reflects an estimate of a total burden of 53,310 hours and 4,567,839 responses.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,770,408

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: 10/28/2024

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