2012-25225. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).

Agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Drivers' Awareness of and Response to Significant Weather Events and the Correlation of Weather to Road Impacts.

OMB Control Number: 0648-0624.

Form Number(s): NA.

Type of Request: Regular submission (reinstatement without change of a previously approved information collection).

Number of Respondents: 1,200.

Average Hours Per Response: 6 minutes.

Burden Hours: 120.

Needs and Uses: This request is for a reinstatement without change of a previously approved information collection. Due to an unusually dry winter, this survey could not be conducted during the OMB approval period.

This project is a joint effort of the University of Utah, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), and NorthWest Weathernet (NWN) to investigate and understand the relationship between meteorological phenomena and road conditions, as well as public understanding and response to available forecast information. The events which impact the Salt Lake City metro area during the winter of 2012-2013 will be examined. Through the administration of a targeted survey, important details will be gathered regarding: (a) The information that drivers possessed prior to and during a storm, including knowledge of observed and forecast weather conditions; (b) sources of weather and road information; (c) any modification of travel and/or commute plans, based on event information; (d) anticipation and perception of storm impacts and severity; and (e) perception and behavioral response to messages conveyed by the NWS and UDOT, along with their satisfaction of information provided. Analyses of the information gathered will focus on driver knowledge, perceptions, and decision making. Ultimately, the results of this survey will provide insight on how the Weather Enterprise may more effectively communicate hazard information to the public in a manner which leads to improved response (i.e., change travel times, modes, etc.). With a sufficient level of behavior change, it should be possible to improve safety and reduce the costs associated with weather related congestion and associated delays. Additionally, the project will shed light upon the interrelationship between meteorological phenomena, road conditions, and their combined impact on travel.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Frequency: One time.

Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.

OMB Desk Officer: [e-mail].

Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained by calling or writing Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to [e-mail].

Dated: October 9, 2012.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.