Overview
Title
Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) wants to try out a new train-driving system where the train driver and a computer work together to make train rides safer. They are asking people to say what they think about this idea before February 8, 2021.
Summary AI
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is requesting public comments on an information collection request under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This collection involves a study aimed at designing and evaluating a new locomotive operating mode that enhances safety by allowing engineers to manually control train speed, with assistance from automation. The study seeks to gather insights to help in designing future locomotive displays and controls and requires comments to be submitted by February 8, 2021. Only those collections with a valid OMB control number are being pursued, and participants can share their thoughts on improving the process and reducing its burden.
Abstract
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that FRA is forwarding the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the information collection and its expected burden. On October 5, 2020, FRA published a notice providing a 60-day period for public comment on the ICR.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document released by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under the Department of Transportation is an announcement seeking public comments on an information collection activity related to a research study. The study aims to design and analyze a new locomotive operating mode that integrates manual control with automation to enhance safety. The FRA invites comments to improve the study's methodologies and potentially reduce the associated burden on participants. This process forms part of a standard review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which emphasizes minimizing the unnecessary collection of information.
General Summary
The notice specifies a request for public input regarding a study intended to create a hybrid operating mode for train engineers. This would allow an engineer to manually select a target speed while automation manages the throttle settings. Although the FRA has allowed for a commenting period, it emphasizes the collection must have a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number before proceeding as mandated by law.
Significant Issues and Concerns
The announcement provides limited detail on several fronts:
Purpose of Data Collection: While the abstract emphasizes safety improvements, there lacks clarity on how the collected data will achieve those enhancements or what specific outcomes are anticipated. The connection between the study's goals and its practical implications remains vaguely defined.
Scope and Participation: The participation of only 20 railroad engineers and 10 college volunteers raises questions about whether such a sample size is adequate to achieve meaningful insights and whether their contribution can represent broader industry practices.
Lack of Completion Context: The document mentions extending a previously approved study because it was not completed as initially planned, yet does not explain the reasons or provide assurances on what will be different this time.
Technical Language: The document utilizes legal references and technical jargon that might not be easily accessible for the average reader, potentially discouraging comprehensive public engagement.
Burden Estimate Clarity: The estimated annual burden is given as "272" without a specified unit (e.g., hours, days), which could easily lead to misunderstandings or incorrect assumptions.
Public and Stakeholder Impact
The document's call for comments brings both opportunities and potential challenges:
Broad Public Engagement: Encouraging public comments could enhance transparency and ensure stakeholder alignment; however, the complicated language and lack of clarity on certain aspects may inhibit effective participation by the general public.
Impact on Participants: For industry stakeholders, particularly railway engineers and equipment designers, the study's outcomes could inform future technological advancements in train operation, potentially leading to safer and more efficient train systems.
Perceived Burden: Without clear details on expected time and effort, potential participants might be cautious about engaging with the study, suspecting it may be more demanding than it actually is.
In conclusion, while the FRA's document intends to drive advancements in railway operations and safety, more detailed information and greater transparency about the study's intentions and methodologies could foster more effective public and stakeholder engagement, enabling a clearer assessment of potential benefits and costs.
Issues
• The purpose of the information collection is not clearly stated in terms of specific outcomes or benefits.
• The abstract mentions a study on a prototype locomotive operating mode, but the text lacks detailed information on how the data will be used to achieve safety enhancements.
• There is an absence of justification or explanation of why the participation of only '20 Engineers/10 Volunteers' is sufficient for the study.
• The text includes technical language and references to specific U.S.C. and CFR codes that may be difficult for the general public to understand without further context.
• The text does not discuss how or why the study was not completed by the original anticipated completion date, which could be a concern for ongoing or additional funding.
• The estimated burden of '272' is provided without specifying the unit (e.g., hours, days), which could cause confusion.
• There is no mention of how comments from the public will be used or what changes might be made based on those comments.
• There is a lack of information on the expected costs of this study and the anticipated benefits or savings from the research outcomes.