[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 52837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25777]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
Federal Transit Administration
[FTA/FHWA Docket No. 96-1837]


Notice of Request for the Extension of Currently Approved 
Information Collections

AGENCIES: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the FTA and FHWA to request the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the following currently 
approved information collection: Metropolitan Planning and Statewide 
Planning.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before December 9, 1996.

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, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. All comments received 
will be available for examination at the above address from 10:00 a.m. 
to 5:00 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. Paul Verchinski, FTA, (202) 366-
1626 or Mr. Sheldon Edner, FHWA, (202) 366-4066.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA and the FHWA; 
(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: Metropolitan Planning and Statewide Planning (OMB Number: 
2132-0529)
    Background: The FTA and FHWA jointly carry out the Federal mandate 
to improve urban and rural transportation. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 23 U.S.C. 
134 and 135 require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and 
States to develop transportation plans and programs. The information 
collection activities involved in developing the Unified Planning Work 
Program (UPWP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Statewide 
Transportation Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and 
the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) are necessary 
to identify and evaluate the transportation issues and needs in each 
urbanized area and throughout every State. These products of the 
transportation planning process are essential elements in the 
reasonable planning and programming of federally-funded transportation 
investments.
    In addition to serving as a management tool for MPOs and State 
DOTs, the UPWP is used by both FTA and FHWA to monitor the 
transportation planning activities of those agencies. It is also needed 
to develop policy on using funds, monitor State and local compliance 
with national technical emphasis areas, respond to congressional 
inquiries, prepare congressional testimony, and ensure efficiency in 
the use and expenditure of Federal funds by determining that planning 
proposals are both reasonable and cost-effective. 49 U.S.C. 5304 and 23 
U.S.C. 134(h) require the development of TIPs for urbanized areas; 
STIPS are mandated by 23 U.S.C. 135(f). After approval by the Governor 
and MPO, metropolitan TIPs in attainment areas are to be incorporated 
directly into the STIP. For nonattainment areas, FTA/FHWA must make a 
conformity finding on the TIPs before including them into the STIP. The 
complete STIP is then jointly reviewed and approved or disapproved by 
FTA and FHWA. These conformity findings and approval actions constitute 
the determination that States are complying with the requirements of 23 
U.S.C. 135 and 49 U.S.C. Section 5303 as a condition of eligibility for 
Federal-aid funding. Without these documents, approvals and findings, 
capital and/or operating assistance, cannot be provided.
    Respondents: State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and 
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
    Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 607.4 hours for each of the 
531 respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 322,510 hours.
    Frequency: Annually and biennially.

    Issued: October 3, 1996.
Gordon J. Linton,
FTA Administrator.
George S. Moore, Jr.,
FHWA Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-25777 Filed 10-7-96; 8:45 am]
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