02-28834. Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements; Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describes the nature of the information collections and their expected burden. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period was published on August 9, 2002 [67 FR 51924-51925].

DATES:

Comments must be submitted on or before December 13, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mrs. Marcia Tarbet at NHTSA, Evaluation Division (NPO-321) of the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Budget, 202-366-2570, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5208, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Title: Heavy Vehicle Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Underride Guard Fleet Maintenance Study.

OMB Number: 2127—NEW.

Type of Request: New information collection.

Abstract: As required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 and Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735), NHTSA reviews existing regulations to determine if they are achieving policy goals. Safety Standard 105 (49 CFR 571.105) requires Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) on hydraulic-braked vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds built on or after March 1, 1999. Safety Standard 121 (49 CFR 571.121) requires ABS on air-braked truck-tractors built on or after March 1, 1997 and on air-braked trailers and single-unit trucks manufactured on or after March 1, 1998. Safety Standard 223 (49 CFR 571.223) requires all trailers and semi-trailers built on or after January 24, 1998 with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds to have an underride guard. NHTSA's Office of Evaluation and Regulatory Analysis is planning a data collection effort that will provide adequate information to perform an evaluation on the effect of ABS and underride guards on the maintenance of heavy vehicles in trucking fleets. This study will determine fleet maintenance policies and procedures related to ABS and underride guards, examine factors that motivate fleets to maintain antilock brakes and underride guards, and document fleet experience in maintaining ABS and underride guards since the implementation of the new safety standards.

Affected Public: Private trucking fleets nationwide.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 420 hours.

ADDRESSES: Send comments, within 30 days, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW., Washington, D.C. 20503, Attention NHTSA Desk Officer.

Comments are invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. A Comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 11, 2002.

James F. Simons,

Acting Associate Administrator for Planning, Evaluation, and Budget.