E7-12362. Agency Information Collection Activities: Notice of Request for Extension of Currently Approved Information Collection

AGENCY:

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for extension of currently approved information collection.

SUMMARY:

The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for renewal of an existing information collection that is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Please submit comments by August 27, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by DOT DMS Docket Number FHWA-2007-28537 by any of the following methods:

• Web Site: http://dms.dot.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the DOT electronic docket site.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http://dms.dot.gov at any time or to U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Ralph Gillmann, 202-366-0160, Office of Highway Policy Information, Office of Policy, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, 20590. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Heavy Vehicle Travel Information System (HVTIS).

OMB Control Number: 2125-0587 (Expiration Date: November 30, 2007).

Background: Title 49, United States Code, Section 301, authorizes the DOT to collect statistical information relevant to domestic transportation. The FHWA is developing the HVTIS to house data that will enable analysis of the amount and nature of truck travel at the national and regional levels. The information will be used by the FHWA and other DOT agencies to evaluate changes in truck travel in order to assess impacts on highway safety; the role of travel in economic productivity; impacts of changes in truck travel on infrastructure condition; and maintenance of our Nation's mobility while protecting the human and natural environment. The increasing dependence on truck transport requires that data be available to better assess its overall contribution to the Nation's well-being. In conducting the data collection, the FHWA will be requesting that State Departments of Transportation (SDOT) continue to provide periodic reporting of traffic volume, vehicle classification, and vehicle weight data which they collect as part of their existing traffic monitoring programs, including other sources such as local governments and traffic operations. States and local governments collect traffic volume and vehicle classification data continuously and vehicle weight data periodically throughout the year using weigh-in-motion devices. The data should be representative of all public roads within State boundaries. The data will allow transportation professionals at the Federal, State, and metropolitan levels to make informed decisions about policies and plans.

Respondents: 52 SDOTs, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

Frequency: It is proposed that total volume and continuous vehicle classification data be reported on a monthly basis to assure timely information that can be compared to monthly reports of economic activity. Based on data collection practices commonly used by the SDOTs, it is proposed that truck weight data collected using weigh-in-motion devices and site description data be submitted to FHWA annually.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: The SDOTs already collect traffic data for various purposes. In accordance with 23 U.S.C. 303, each State has a Traffic Monitoring System in place so the data collection burden relevant for this notice is the additional burden for each State to provide a copy of their traffic data using the record formats specified in the Traffic Monitoring Guide. Automation and online tools continue to be developed in support of the HVTIS and the capability now exists for online submission and validation of total volume data. The estimated average monthly burden is 3.5 hours for an annual burden of 42 hours. The annual reporting requirement is estimated to be 6 hours for the States and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The combined burden from the monthly and annual reports is 48 hours per respondent.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Total burden will be 2,496 hours.

Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burdens could be minimized, including use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended, and 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on: June 20, 2007.

James R. Kabel,

Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.