[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11705-11706]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6114]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration
[DOT Docket No. FHWA-98-3402]


Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements in section 3506 (c) (2) 
(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the 
intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) to approve a new information collection to assess the utilization 
of truck stop fitness facilities by those truck drivers who participate 
in the study. This research will also address a number of other areas 
of interest which generally pertain to the drivers' experience with the 
new truck stop fitness facilities as well as personal health/fitness 
issues. Exercise can help combat fatigue, improve alertness and reduce 
stress. Aerobic exercise has also been shown to improve the quality of 
sleep and thus, the driver will be more rested and alert for the next 
day of driving. However, truck driving, particularly long haul truck 
driving, is sedentary in nature and provides few opportunities for 
exercise. The Truck Stop Fitness Facilities Utilization Study 
represents an innovative, holistic approach to improve highway safety.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 11, 1998.

ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket 
number that appears in the heading of this document and must be 
submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received 
will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. 
to 5p.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 Internet users, all comments received will be available for 
examination at the universal source location: hhtp:/dms.dot.gov. Please 
follow the instructions on-line for additional information and 
guidance.
    Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any 
aspect of this information collection, including, but not limited to: 
(1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the 
proper performance of the functions of 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 clearance of this 
information collection.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jerry L. Robin, Transportation 
Specialist, Research Division, Office of Motor Carrier Research and 
Standards, Office of Motor Carriers, 202-366-2986, Federal Highway 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office 
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Truck Stop Fitness Facilities Utilization Study.

OMB Number

Background

    Conference Report 104-286 to accompanying H.R. 2002 to the 
Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill (Public Law 104-50) 
directed the FHWA to contract, during FY 1996, with the American 
Trucking Associations Foundations', Transportation Research Institute 
(TRI) to perform applied research to address a number of highway safety 
issues, such as: driver fatigue and alertness, the application of 
emerging technologies to ensure safety, productivity and regulatory 
compliance; and commercial driver licensing, training and education. 
The amount allocated was to be not less than $4 million. The Truck Stop 
Fitness Facility Utilization Study is one of about 15 research, 
regulatory, and outreach projects under the congressionally mandated 
cooperative agreement with the TRI.
    The study will involve about 500 volunteer male and female, 
tractor-trailer drivers from a number of trucking companies and owner-
operators who use the I-40 corridor on a regular basis. All subjects 
will be screened for potential health problems that would preclude them 
from participating in an exercise program. Accepted volunteers will 
receive a discounted, one-year membership in Rolling Strong Gyms for 
participating in the Study. Rolling Strong Co. (Richardson, TX) is 
providing the truck stop fitness facilities. The truck stop fitness 
facilities to be used in the study are located at North Little Rock, 
AR, Oklahoma City, OK, and Knoxville, TN (planned opening is March, 
1998).
    Truck stop fitness utilization information will be collected via an 
automated telephone interview at the driver's 6 and 11 month marks in 
the research project. The call will be toll-free for the drivers to 
respond to the survey. A standardized questionnaire will ask the 
drivers a number of questions pertaining to their frequency and 
duration of use of the truck stop fitness facilities. Additional topic 
areas to be explored include: what type of exercise equipment the truck 
drivers prefer (aerobic or weight-resistance equipment), whether the 
drivers generally feel better since beginning an exercise program, have 
they made any other lifestyle changes, do they feel more alert/less 
stressed when driving, are they getting other drivers to start an 
exercise program, and how can truck stop fitness facilities be improved 
to better meet the needs of the truck driver and the trucking industry.
    The results of the information collections will be documented in a 
report for dissemination to the trucking and truck stop industries as 
well as other interested organizations and agencies including the 
Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services (Center 
for Disease Control) and the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration. Note: Rolling Strong Co. is a private corporation. The 
government does not endorse Rolling Strong Co. and did not fund the 
design or construction of their fitness facilities. The FHWA is only 
evaluating the concept of truck stop fitness.
    Respondents: Approximately 500 tractor-trailer drivers.
    Average Burden per Response: 30 minutes to listen and respond to a 
survey questionnaire by telephone. There will be two such surveys per 
participant during the year duration of the study.

[[Page 11706]]

    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 500 hours.
    Frequency: This is a one-time collection.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 307 and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: March 2, 1998.
George Moore,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-6114 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P