4910-06-P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA-2024-0012]
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing
regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized
below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for
approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the
ICR.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before [INSERT DATE 60
DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].
ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed ICR should be
submitted at www.regulations.gov to the docket, Docket No. FRA-2024-0012. All comments
received will be posted without change to the docket, including any personal information
provided. Please refer to the assigned OMB control number (2130-0008) in any correspondence
submitted. FRA will summarize comments received in a subsequent 30-day notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Arlette Mussington, Information
Collection Clearance Officer, at email: arlette.mussington@dot.gov or telephone: (571) 6091285 or Ms. Joanne Swafford, Information Collection Clearance Officer, at email:
joanne.swafford@dot.gov or telephone: (757) 897-9908.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 1320, require Federal agencies to provide 60 days’ notice

to the public to allow comment on information collection activities before seeking OMB
approval of the activities. See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8 through 1320.12.
Specifically, FRA invites interested parties to comment on the following ICR regarding:
(1) whether the information collection activities are necessary for FRA to properly execute its
functions, including whether the activities will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of FRA’s
estimates of the burden of the information collection activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to determine the estimates; (3) ways for FRA to enhance the
quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected; and (4) ways for FRA to minimize
the burden of information collection activities on the public, including the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology. See 44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A); 5
CFR 1320.8(d)(1).
FRA believes that soliciting public comment may reduce the administrative and
paperwork burdens associated with the collection of information that Federal regulations
mandate. In summary, comments received will advance three objectives: (1) reduce reporting
burdens; (2) organize information collection requirements in a “user-friendly” format to improve
the use of such information; and (3) accurately assess the resources expended to retrieve and
produce information requested. See 44 U.S.C. 3501.
The summary below describes the ICR that FRA will submit for OMB clearance as the
PRA requires:
Title: Inspection Brake System Safety Standards for Freight and Other Non-Passenger
Trains and Equipment (Power Brakes).
OMB Control Number: 2130–0008.
Abstract: Title 49 CFR part 232 prescribes Federal safety standards for freight and other
non-passenger train brake systems and equipment. Part 232 includes recordkeeping and
information reporting requirements including the following:

General (subpart A) – procedures for special approvals of alternative standards or test
procedures and waivers, and procedures related to the movement of equipment with defective
brakes.
General requirements (subpart B) – generally applicable system requirements for the
operation of brake systems on complete trains, including braking systems, locomotive brakes,
dynamic braking, train handling and securement.
Inspection and testing requirements (subpart C) – various airbrake test requirements for
specific train operating scenarios, including initial terminal tests, intermediate inspections,
continuity tests, and extended haul trains. This subpart also has specific rules regarding the use
of yard air for conducting the above tests in lieu of locomotives and the use of independent
locomotives in double-heading and helper service.
Periodic maintenance and testing requirements (subpart D) – yearly and other periodic
testing of individual equipment. This subpart also specifies the equipment and procedures
necessary to modify the instructions used to perform these tests.
End-of-train (EOT) devices (subpart E) – design and performance standards of both oneway and two-way EOT devices used on all trains with air brakes. This section also includes the
inspection and testing requirements for EOT devices.
Introduction of new brake system technology (subpart F) – approval procedures for the
introduction of new technologies not already covered by existing regulations, and requirements
for the development of a pre-revenue service acceptance testing plan.
Electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) braking systems (subpart G) – alternate
standards for the operation and maintenance of ECP brake systems, particularly where the ECP
system is not harmonious with previous standards. This includes interoperability, training,
inspection and testing, movement of defective equipment, and periodic maintenance.

Tourist, scenic, historic, and excursion operations (T&H) braking systems (subpart H) –
regulations that apply specifically to T&H railroads. Those regulations are the same as existed in
2001, as stated in current 49 CFR 232.1(c).
Overall, the information collection requirements of part 232 serve two important safety
purposes. First, the regulations allow FRA to monitor compliance with braking system safety
regulations. Second, FRA refers to records regularly maintained under part 232 to assess the
effectiveness of the regulations and identify opportunities for improvement.
In this 60-day notice, FRA made multiple adjustments that decreased the previously
approved burden hours from 528,432 to 324,638 hours. The decrease in burden is the result of
the changes described in the following sections discussed below:
•

Under § 232.17, Special approval procedure, FRA determined that the estimated
paperwork burden to develop the alternative standard or test plan is already included
under § 232.505, Pre-revenue service acceptance plan. The estimated paperwork
burden under this section is reduced by 244 hours. Additionally, FRA anticipates
receiving zero statements of interest and has determined that the burden previously
reported for public comments is excluded from the definition of information covered
by the PRA under 5 CFR 1320.3(h)(4).

•

The previously reported burdens under § 232.103 related to job briefings and §
232.209 related to “roll-by” inspections are not considered information collections
under the PRA because the agency is not collecting any information or requiring a
third party to collect any information or keep any records. Therefore, the 328 burden
hours associated with those regulatory requirements have been removed.

•

Under §§ 232.107, Air source requirements and cold weather operations; 232.109,
Dynamic brake requirements; 232.203, Training requirements; 232.207, Class IA
brake tests—1,000-mile inspection; 232.213, Extended haul trains; and 232.303,
General requirements, FRA made burden estimate adjustments that more accurately

reflect the number of responses and estimated average time required by each section,
reducing the burden by 6,523 hours.
•

Under § 232.505, Pre-revenue service acceptance testing plans, FRA concluded that
the previously reported burden hours for the design plan are already included in the
160 hours reported for each test plan. Accordingly, burden hours have been reduced
by 137.29 hours.

Additionally, FRA made rounding adjustments that reduced the burden hours by 1,658.76
hours. Overall, total adjustments reduced the total burden by 203,794 hours.
Type of Request: Extension without change (with changes in estimates) of a currently
approved information collection.
Affected Public: Railroads, Association of American Railroads (AAR), and
manufacturers.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 784 Railroads.
Frequency of Submission: On occasion.
Reported Burden:
CFR Part 232
Section

232.3 - Applicability
(d)(3)— Identification
of cars not owned by
RR
232.7 - Waivers

Respondent
Universe

Annual
Responses
(A)

784
railroads

8
784
railroads

(a)—Waivers
232.15 - Movement of
defective equipment

0.17

2
784
railroads

Avg. Time
Per
Response
(Hours)
(B)

153,400

Total Annual
Burden
Hours (C)
(A*B=C)
1.36

Total Cost
Equivalent
U.S.D
(C*Wage
Rate1)
$116.86

1.36

$116.86

320.00

$27,497.60

320.00

$27,497.60

6,642.80

$570,815.80

The dollar equivalent cost throughout this table is derived from the 2022 Surface Transportation Board Full Year
Wage A&B data series using employee group 200 (Professional & Administrative) hourly wage rate of $49.10. The
total burden wage rate (straight time plus 75%) used in the table is $85.93 ($49.10 x 1.75 = $85.93).
CFR Part 232
Section

(a)(11)(ii)—Written
Notification

25,000

Avg. Time
Per
Response
(Hours)
(B)
0.05

(b)—Tagging of
defective equipment.
232.17 - Special
approval procedure
(b) through (d)—
Submission of petition
for special approval of
alternative standard or
test procedure and prerevenue service
acceptance plan
232.103 – General
requirements for all
train brake systems
—Requirement for
legible
decal/stencil/sticker on
all cars
(n)—Securement of
unattended equipment
–
Unattended equipment
plans (new plans)

128,400

0.042

—Notification to FRA
when RR develops
and has plan in place
or modifies existing
plan
—(n)(10) Records of
inspection following
non-railroad
emergency responder
on equipment
232.105 – General
requirements for
locomotives –
Inspection records
232.107 – Air source
requirements and
cold weather
operations
(a)—Monitoring plans
for yard air sources
(new)
—Updates/revisions
—Recordkeeping
232.109 – Dynamic
brake requirements
(a)—Brake status
records

Respondent
Universe

784
railroads

Annual
Responses
(A)

0.67
0.67

784
railroads

70,014

Total Annual
Burden
Hours (C)
(A*B=C)
1,250.00

Total Cost
Equivalent
U.S.D
(C*Wage
Rate1)
$107,412.50

5,392.80

$463,403.30

0.67

$57.57

0.67

$57.57

11,958.50

$1,027,593.91
$1,022,567.00

70,000

0.17

11,900.00

10

10.00

$859.30

0.50

0.50

$42.97

4

48.00

$4,124.64

The burden for this requirement is included under OMB control number 2130-0004
under 49 CFR 229.23.
5
new
railroads

50
existing
plans
50
existing plans
784
railroads

1,156

335.50

$28,829.52

40

40.00

$3,437.20

20

100.00

$8,593.00

1,150

0.17

195.50

$16,799.32

1,668,748
1,656,000

0.07

116,474.22

$10,008,630.07

115,920.00

$9,961,005.60

CFR Part 232
Section

Respondent
Universe

Annual
Responses
(A)

(c)—Inoperative
dynamic brakes,
tagging and records
(d)—Tagging
inoperative dynamic
breaks
(e)—Deactivated
dynamic brakes
markings
(J)—Operating rules

30,000
locomotives

—Amended/revised
operating rules
—Request to increase
mph overspeed
restriction
(k)—Knowledge, skill
ability training plan
232.111 – Train
handling information
(a)—Written
procedures for train
handling
—Amendments/
revisions
—Provide crew with
report
232.203 – Training
requirements
(a)—Training
programs
—Periodic assessment
of training program
—Amendments

Total Annual
Burden
Hours (C)
(A*B=C)

6,358

Avg. Time
Per
Response
(Hours)
(B)
0.07

445.06

Total Cost
Equivalent
U.S.D
(C*Wage
Rate1)
$38,244.01

30,000
locomotives

6,358

0.008

50.86

$4,370.74

1000
locomotives

0.08

0.80

$68.74

4

20.00

$1,718.60

1

15.00

$1,288.95

20.5

20.50

$1,761.57

2

2.00

$171.86

784
railroads

784
railroads

(e)—Training records
and notifications
—Notifications
232.205 – Class I
brake test – initial
terminal inspection.
(c)(1)(ii)(B)—
Operating rules for
airflow compliance
(e)— Brake test notice
records
(c) (1)(iii)—Form 49A
notation/certification
of last date of air flow
method (AFM)
indicator calibration
(formally under §
229.29(b)

784
railroads

2,112,105

171,160

$14,707,778.80

40

200.00

$17,186.00

20

2,000.00

$171,860.00

2,112,000

0.08

168,960.00

50,587

$14,518,732.80

6,889.15

$591,984.66

100

500.00

$42,965.00

1

784.00

$67,369.12

8

1,888.00

$162,235.84

24,781

0.13

3,221.53

$276,826.07

24,781

0.02

495.62

$42,588.63

4,686.08

$402,674.85

383,850
8

80.00

383,840

0.012

4,606.08

$6,874.40
$395,800.45

The estimated paperwork burden for this requirement is included under OMB Control
Number 2130-0004.

CFR Part 232
Section

232.207 – Class IA
brake tests – 1000mile inspection.
(c)— Designated list
of inspection locations
(c)(2)—Notice of
change to inspection
locations.
232.213 – Extended
haul trains
(a)—Written
designation in writing
to FRA
(a)(8)—Notice of
change of location of
brake test
232.219 – Doubleheading and helper
service
(c)(4)—Records of
device testing
232.303 – General
requirements - shop
or repair track
(d)(1)—Tagging of
moved equipment
(f)—Last repair track
brake test or single car
air brake test marking
232.307 –
Modification of brake
test procedures.
(a)—Request to
modify brake test
procedures

Respondent
Universe

Annual
Responses
(A)

784
railroads

83,000
long-haul trains

Total Annual
Burden
Hours (C)
(A*B=C)
9.84

Total Cost
Equivalent
U.S.D
(C*Wage
Rate1)
$845.55

1

1.00

$85.93

0.17

8.84

$759.62

43.68

$3,753.42

208
0.25

26.00

$2,234.18

7
railroads

0.17

17.68

$1,519.24

2
railroads

8.00

$687.44

8.00

$687.44

100
1,633,792
freight cars

AAR/
railroads

(a)(4)—Affirmation
statement and copies
served to designated
representatives.
232.309 – Equipment
and devices used to
perform single car air
brake tests
(d)—Labeling/tagging
of test devices
232.403 – Design
standards for one-way
end-of-train devices
(e)—Requesting
unique code
232.409 – Inspection
and testing of end-oftrain-devices

Avg. Time
Per
Response
(Hours)
(B)

640
shops

37,600

$120,989.44

0.08

448.00

$38,496.64

32,000

0.03

960.00

$82,492.80

20.50

$1,761.57

2
20

20.00

$1,718.60

0.50

0.50

$42.97

0.03

12
784
railroads

1,408.00

5,600

5000
245
railroads

0.08

464,501

0.08

150.00

$12,889.50

150.00

$12,889.50

0.96

$82.49

0.96

$82.49

4,102.00

$352,484.86

CFR Part 232
Section

(c)—Two-way end-oftrain testing
notification record
(d) through (e)—
Telemetry/air pressure
equipment testing
record
(f)(2)—Annual reports
to FRA
232.503 – Process to
introduce new brake
system technology
(a)— Special approval
- approval for nonstandard brake
technology letter for
approval
(b)— Pre-revenue
service demonstration
232.505 – Prerevenue service
acceptance testing
plan
(a)—Submission of
testing plan
—Revision to testing
plan
—Report to FRA

Respondent
Universe

1
manufacturer
784
railroads

784
railroads

—(f) Testing records
for brake system
technology previously
used in revenue
service in United
States
232.717 - Freight and
passenger train car
brakes
(c)—Written
maintenance plan
Total2

40
railroads

Annual
Responses
(A)

Total Annual
Burden
Hours (C)
(A*B=C)

447,500

Avg. Time
Per
Response
(Hours)
(B)
0.008

17,000

0.03

510.00

$43,824.30

12

12.00

$1,031.16

4.00

$343.72

2
1

1.00

$85.93

3

3.00

$257.79

3.01

107.20

$9,211.70

0.67

26.80

$2,302.92

0.67

8.71

$748.45

40

40.00

$3,437.20

240.00

$20,623.20

240.00

$20,623.20

324,638
hours

$27,896,141

4,947,392
responses

Total Estimated Annual Burden: 324,638 hours.

may not add up due to rounding.

$15,700.27

Total Estimated Annual Responses: 4,947,392.

2Total

182.71

0.67

40
784
railroads
30,000
locomotives
1
manufacturer

3,580.00

Total Cost
Equivalent
U.S.D
(C*Wage
Rate1)
$307,629.40

Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour Dollar Cost Equivalent: $27,896,141.
FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is
not required to respond to, a collection of information that does not display a currently valid
OMB control number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Deputy Chief Counsel
[FR Doc. 2024-15032 Filed: 7/8/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 7/9/2024]