03-6428. Notice of Request for the Extension of Currently Approved Information Collections

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the following currently approved information collections: 49 U.S.C. section 5312(a) Research, Development, Demonstration and Training Projects.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before May 19, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

All written comments must refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the United States Department of Transportation, Central Dockets Office, PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard/envelope.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Henry Nejako, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of these information collections, including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB reinstatement of this information collection.

Title: 49 U.S.C. section 5312(a) Research, Development, Demonstration and Training Projects. OMB Number: 2132-0546.

Background: 49 U.S.C. section 5312(a) authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants or contracts for research, development, and demonstration projects that will reduce urban transportation needs, improve mass transportation service, or help transportation service meet the total urban transportation needs at a minimum cost. In carrying out the provisions of this section, the Secretary is also authorized to request and receive appropriate information from any source.

The information collected is submitted as part of the application for grants and cooperative agreements and is used to determine eligibility of applicants. Collection of this information also provides documentation that the applicants and recipients are meeting program objectives and are complying with FTA Circular 6100.1B and other federal requirements.

Respondents: FTA grant recipients.

Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: Approximately 56 hours for each of the 250 respondents.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 13,940 hours.

Frequency: Annual.

Issued: March 11, 2003.

Timothy B. Wolgast,

Acting Associate Administrator for Administration.