Overview
Title
Intent To Request Revision From OMB of One Current Public Collection of Information: Physical Surface Transportation Security
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The TSA wants to gather all the information about keeping trains safe in one place and is asking people what they think about it. They're trying to make sure nothing gets mixed up or repeated, and they want to know what people think about how much work these reports will take.
Summary AI
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is seeking public comment on an existing information collection request through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), related to enhancing surface transportation security. The process involves gathering information such as security coordinator details, reporting of security issues, and documentation for rail cars carrying sensitive materials. TSA plans to consolidate this information collection under a single OMB control number and revise its title to "Physical Surface Transportation Security." Public comments can be submitted by June 20, 2025.
Abstract
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on one currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0051, abstracted below that we will submit to OMB for a revision in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves information to validate compliance with regulatory requirements aimed at enhancing surface transportation security, including security coordinator information, reporting of significant security concerns, location and shipping information, chain of custody and control requirements, security training programs and, security training records.
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
This document from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) outlines a request for public comments on an existing information collection effort. It's part of TSA's initiative to enhance surface transportation security, with particular focus on rail systems. The aim is to gather information about security coordinators, incidents, and train safety protocols, particularly for rail cars carrying sensitive materials.
General Summary
The TSA is proposing to streamline and consolidate its processes concerning the collection of security information from rail and bus operators. This involves combining two previously separate information requests under a single Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number, now titled "Physical Surface Transportation Security." The agency seeks input from the public on the necessity and efficiency of this data collection, as well as suggestions for potential improvements. Comments are open until June 20, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
There are several noteworthy issues that arise from this document:
Complexity in Consolidation: The plan to merge two distinct OMB control numbers might be perplexing for individuals unfamiliar with these procedures. The document presents the consolidation effort without clearly explaining to a lay audience the rationale or benefits of this administrative shift.
Estimated Burden Justification: The document cites an annual burden of nearly 67,000 hours for compliance, but it does not provide a detailed breakdown of this figure. This makes it challenging to assess whether the estimate is justified or if there's room for efficiency improvements.
Definition of Security Concerns: While it mentions "significant security concerns," the lack of specific examples or criteria introduces a level of ambiguity. Clearer definitions would aid in ensuring consistent reporting across the various operators involved.
Chain of Custody Complexity: The requirements for documenting the secure exchange of rail cars carrying sensitive materials could be seen as convoluted. Simplifying this language or providing illustrative scenarios might enhance understanding among stakeholders.
Overlap Between Control Numbers: The document acknowledges an overlap between the two original control numbers. However, further explanation on the extent of this overlap and how it was addressed would assure stakeholders that the consolidation won't lead to data redundancy.
Public Impact
For the general public, especially those utilizing rail or bus transportation services, this initiative underscores an ongoing federal commitment to security. While the average traveler may not notice immediate changes, the back-end improvements in safety protocols could enhance overall travel security.
Stakeholder Impact
For the railroads and bus companies affected, this document likely signals a significant adjustment in compliance procedures. Although consolidating oversight into one control number might streamline some aspects, the initial transition could require substantial time and resources from these operators. The changes could positively impact operations in the long run by simplifying reporting requirements and reducing administrative burdens.
Ultimately, while this document represents an important step by the TSA to improve security measures, its complexity and the lack of detailed explanations may necessitate further efforts to clearly communicate the consolidation’s implementation and impact to the involved entities and the public.
Issues
• The document's purpose regarding the consolidation of information collection requests (ICRs) and discontinuation of a control number is somewhat complex and may not be easily understood by individuals unfamiliar with ICR processes and OMB control numbers.
• The document does not provide detailed justification for the estimated annual burden of 66,995 hours, making it difficult to assess whether this estimate is reasonable or requires further scrutiny.
• The specific criteria for what constitutes 'significant security concerns' could be further defined to reduce ambiguity and improve clarity.
• The description of the secure chain of custody requirements appears to be complex. Simplifying the language or providing examples could assist stakeholders in understanding their responsibilities better.
• The document should clarify the extent of the overlap between the two control numbers (1652-0051 and 1652-0066) before consolidation, to ensure there's no duplication or redundancy in data collection.
• The notice could further outline the specific impact or changes stakeholders can expect due to the consolidation of control numbers.