[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10736-10737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5447]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration
[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-1997-2301; 97-10]


Highway Performance Monitoring System--Strategic Reassessment; 
Final Report

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and closing of docket.

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

SUMMARY: FHWA has completed its strategic reassessment of the Highway 
Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). The work has been carried out 
over the past two years with the assistance of HPMS stakeholders, 
partners, customers and our HPMS Steering Committee. The participation 
of many individuals and organizations in response to our outreach 
process has provided valued perspectives to the reassessment process. 
The ``Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) Reassessment Final 
Report'' and a companion informational brochure, ``Re-engineering 
HPMS,'' have been issued.
DATES: The docket is closed as of March 5, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Getzewich, Highway Systems 
Performance Division, Office of Highway Information, (202) 366-0175, 
Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 
20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., e.t., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Internet users can access all comments received by the U.S. DOT 
Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL): 
http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each 
year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and 
help.
    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. The FHWA 
report and brochure are available through the Internet at http://
www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim under the heading ``Products and Publications.'' 
A very limited number of copies are available by writing or faxing your 
request to Federal Highway Administration (HPM-20), 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590; fax: (202) 366-7742.

[[Page 10737]]

    On December 23, 1996, the FHWA published a notice (61 FR 67590) 
requesting comments on issues related to a strategic reassessment of 
the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). The HPMS was 
developed in 1978 as a national highway transportation system data 
base. A major purpose of the HPMS has been to provide data that 
reflects the extent, condition, performance, use, and operating 
characteristics of the Nation's highways.
    In 1988, the HPMS was enhanced with the addition of more detailed 
pavement data. In 1993, the HPMS was again revised to meet needs 
brought about by changes in the FHWA analysis and simulation models, 
including the shift to a geographic information system (GIS) 
environment; the effects of the 1990 Census; the Intermodal 
Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), Pub. L. 102-240, 105 
Stat. 1914; the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, Pub. L. 101-549, 104 
Stat. 2399; and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements 
concerning vehicle miles of travel (VMT) tracking data in air quality 
non-attainment areas.
    The final report documents the results of FHWA's review of the 
HPMS. The purpose of this review was to assist FHWA in determining an 
appropriate future form and direction for this major FHWA data system 
as we move into the 21st Century. This report represents the 
culmination of several serial activities including:
--The identification and assessment of the impacts of the HPMS on FHWA, 
its State and other governmental partners, and the many and varied HPMS 
customers;
--The results of an extensive outreach program that included a national 
HPMS workshop held in June 1997; and
--The subsequent assimilation of inputs from these activities into a 
revised HPMS.
    As a result of the reassessment, the FHWA will change the HPMS. 
Over 15 percent of the data items will be eliminated and another 15 
percent will be changed to significantly reduce the number of detail 
lines. The HPMS sample size reductions are proposed and the summary of 
crash data by functional system is being eliminated. The FHWA will 
provide States with PC-based data submittal software and will develop 
Internet access to the HPMS data. Overall, the changes will reduce the 
burden for data providers while still meeting the stated HPMS goals and 
objectives, FHWA's future business needs, and our partners' and 
customers' information needs.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on February 24, 1999.
Kenneth R. Wykle,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-5447 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P