Supporting statement-Rail Peak Demand Letters

Supporting Statement for
Paperwork Reduction Act Submission
End-of-Year Railroad Service Outlook (Rail Fall Peak Demand Assessments)
The Surface Transportation Board (Board) seeks approval for its annual information
collection related to rail traffic demand projections. This information outlines respondent rail
carriers’ plans and preparations to alleviate congestion along major railroads during the peak fall
period. This information is published on the Board’s website for the benefit of the Board,
carriers, shippers, and the general public.
A. Justification
1. Need for Information
The Board is, by statute, responsible for the economic regulation of common carrier
railroads operating in the United States. The shipping community and our economy as a whole
depend on reliable and efficient freight rail service. The Board and rail shippers need to
understand how rail carriers plan to meet the increased demand for rail service during the fall
peak demand season, including capital plans for relieving bottlenecks. For several years, the
Board has asked each Class I railroad and rail carriers that are members of the American
Shortline and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) to provide a forward looking
assessment of their ability to meet end-of-year business demands for rail service, which typically
increase during the fall shipping season.
2. Use of Data Collected
The Board uses this information to monitor efforts by United States rail carriers to meet
the increased fall demand for rail service.
3. Reduction Through Improved Technology
The Board will accept filing by email and fax. Respondents currently email their
responses.
4. Identification of Duplication
The Board is the only agency tasked with the economic regulation of freight railroads.
This information is not duplicated by any other agency.
5. Minimizing Burden for Small Businesses
In any given year, fewer than six railroads that fit the definition of “small business”
typically respond to this request for voluntary informational filings. In 2013, in addition to the
nation’s seven class I (large) railroads, one short line holding company responded to this request.
No class III (small) railroads responded. (The 2013 railroad response letters are posted on the

Board’s website at http://199.79.178.189/peakletters1.nsf/2013?OpenPage.) In 2012, in addition
to the class I railroads, one individual small railroad and two short-line holding companies
responded to this request. (The railroad 2012 response letters are posted on the Board’s website
at http://199.79.178.189/peakletters1.nsf/2012?OpenPage.)
6. Frequency Reduction Consequences
Rail Fall Peak Demand Assessments are requested annually. Less frequent collection
would fail to reflect current peak demand.
7. Special Circumstances
No special circumstances apply to this collection.
8. Consultation Outside Agency
The Board provided a 60-day comment period regarding this existing collection in the
Federal Register notice issued on June 24, 2013, at 78 Fed. Reg. 37882. No comments were
received. In addition, a 30-day Federal Register notice seeking comments from respondents is
being published simultaneously with this submission. See 79 Fed. Reg. 44089 (July 29, 2014).
9. Payment or Gift
No payment or gift is made in connection with this survey form.
10. Assurance of Confidentiality
This collection is posted on the Board’s website.
11. Sensitive Information
This collection does not collect sensitive information.
12. Estimated Burden Hours.
The Board estimates that nine railroads (seven Class I railroads and two small railroads)
will respond to its request for peak demand information. Based on feedback from a small
sampling (less than 10) of respondents, the Board estimates an average hourly burden per
respondent of 30.3 hours and a total annual burden of 273 hours for all carriers.
13. Non-hourly Costs to Respondents
There are no non-hourly burdens for respondents. The response letters are submitted
electronically by email.
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14. Annualized Cost To the Federal Government
The Board estimates the annual cost of this collection to be $3,570, which includes the
time to draft the annual request, review the incoming collection, and post the collection to the
Board’s website.
15. Explanation of Program Changes or Adjustments
There are no program changes or adjustments.
16. Publication of Data and/or Results
Both the Board’s request letters and the rail carriers’ response letters are posted on the
Board’s website at http://www.stb.dot.gov/PeakLetters1.nsf/2014?OpenPage.
17. Display of Expiration date for OMB approval
The control number and expiration date will appear on the Board’s letter requesting the
information.
18. Exceptions to the Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions
No exceptions are sought.
B. Collection of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Not Applicable. This collection of information does not involve statistical methods.

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