Brake System Safety Standards Governing Operations Using an Electronic Air Brake Slip System

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Brakes III NPRM_Supporting Justification.docx Supporting Statement A	2021-05-12
49 CFR 1.89 Delegations to Federal Railroad Administrator.pdf Supplementary Document	2021-05-10
USCODE-2011-title49-subtitleV-partA-chap201-subchapI-sec20103.pdf Supplementary Document	2021-05-10
USCODE-2011-title49-subtitleV-partA-chap201-subchapI-sec20101.pdf Supplementary Document	2021-05-10

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
247224	Electronic Air Brake Slip System	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202105-2130-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Brake System Safety Standards Governing Operations Using an Electronic Air Brake Slip System
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 05/14/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	280,230	0
Time Burden (Hours)	9,341	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: FRA is proposing to amend its brake system safety standards to address operations using an electronic air brake slip (eABS) system, which is a system that tracks details related to individual freight car brake tests. The proposed rule would provide an alternative regulatory framework for railroads to utilize when choosing to use an eABS system, but would not require railroads to use such a system. The NPRM proposes to extend the distance certain individual rail cars may travel (from 1,500 to 2,500 miles) without stopping for brake and mechanical tests, if a car has a valid eABS record, provided the class I brake test was completed by a QMI. The NPRM also proposes to allow railroads to add or remove multiple cars from a train without conducting additional brake tests, if the train is solely made up of cars with eABS records. This proposed information collection is mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for recordkeeping.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 20103 Name of Law: Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2130-AC82	Proposed rulemaking	86 FR 3957	01/15/2021

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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
Electronic Air Brake Slip System

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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	280,230	0	0	280,230	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	9,341	0	0	9,341	0	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: This is a new collection of information associated with FRA’s proposed rule under Part 232. The total burden requested for this submission amounts to 9,341 hours, and the total number of responses requested is 280,230. By definition, the entire requested burden is a program change.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

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: 05/14/2021

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