[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 215 (Monday, November 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66578-66580]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-28345]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2000-8194]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Request for Comments; 
Renewed Approval of Seven Information Collections

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to 
request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval to renew 
seven information collections which are 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 January 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or hand deliver comments to the U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Dockets Management Facility, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; telefax comments to 202/493-
2251; or submit electronically at http://dmses.dot.gov/submit. All 
comments should include the docket number in this notice's heading as 
well as the OMB control number referencing the specific information 
collection that is being addressed. All comments may be examined and 
copied at the above address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. If you desire a receipt you must 
include a self-addressed stamped envelope or postcard or, if you submit 
your comments electronically, you may print the acknowledgment page.

PUBLIC COMMENTS INVITED: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
these information collections, including: (1) Whether the proposed 
collections are necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy 
of estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, 
usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that 
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 these information collections.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    1. Title: Bid Price Data.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0010 (Expiration Date: March 31, 2001).
    Abstract: Information collected on Form FHWA-45, Bid Price Data, is 
needed for the FHWA to monitor changes in purchasing power of the 
Federal-aid construction dollar. FHWA follows these trends so that 
changes in highway construction prices can be measured and funding 
level recommendations to Congress can be justified. The Federal share 
of the cost of certain projects constructed by the States in advance of 
regular apportionments is adjusted based on the bid price index (Title 
23 United States Code 115). Form FHWA-45 is prepared for Federal-aid 
highway construction contracts greater than $0.5 million in the 50 
States plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Data is reported on six 
major items of highway construction, together with the total materials 
and labor costs of the project, taken from the bid tabulation of 
construction items submitted by the lowest or winning bidder to the 
State Transportation Department. The State Transportation Departments 
furnish copies of the bid tabulation to the FHWA that uses the data to 
produce the national FHWA bid price index and related statistics.
    Respondents: 52 State Transportation Departments, including the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
     Frequency: The data is collected by the States and submitted to 
FHWA one

[[Page 66579]]

time, within two weeks after the project has been awarded.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 975 hours. There are approximately 
1,300 annual projects that require about 37 of the State DOTs to 
complete the form. It takes an average of 45 minutes for each form.
    For Further Information Contact: Ms. Claretta Duren, 202-366-4636, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 
Infrastructure Core Business Unit, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

    2. Title: Highway Safety Improvement Programs.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0025 (Expiration Date: March 31, 2001).
    Abstract: Under Sections 130(g) and 152(g) of Title 23, United 
States Code, each State is required to report annually to the Secretary 
of Transportation on the progress being made in implementing the 
Highway Safety Improvement Programs (Highway-Rail Grade Crossings and 
Hazard Elimination) and on the effectiveness of these programs. This 
information provides FHWA with a means for monitoring the effectiveness 
of these programs. It will also be used by the Congress for determining 
funding levels for the Highway Safety Improvement Programs and for 
modifying these programs. States are also required under Sections 
130(d) and 152(a) of Title 23 to conduct and systematically maintain 
surveys to determine highway-rail grade crossings in need of 
improvements and to identify hazardous highway locations, sections, and 
elements. These surveys are the basis for establishing priorities for 
corrective measures, for scheduling improvements, and for evaluating 
the effectiveness of improvements. The States collect safety 
information by surveying highway-rail grade crossings and public roads 
for potential safety hazards. In addition, motor vehicle crash data, 
traffic volume data, and other highway inventory data are used by the 
States to identify hazards and determine which hazards would be the 
most cost-effective to improve.
    Respondents: 52 State Transportation Departments, including the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 10,400 hours. It is estimated that 
each State, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico spends 200 hours 
to provide this information to the FHWA.
    For Further Information Contact: Mr. Kenneth Epstein, 202-366-2157, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Safety 
Core Business Unit, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

    3. Title: Planning and Research Program Administration.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0039 (Expiration Date: April 30, 2001).
    Abstract: Under the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, 
Section 505, two percent of Federal-aid highway funds in certain 
categories that are apportioned to the States are set aside to be used 
only for State planning and research (SPR funds). At least 25 percent 
of the SPR funds apportioned annually must be used for research, 
development, and technology transfer activities. In accordance with 
government-wide grant management procedures, a grant application must 
be submitted for these funds. In addition, recipients must submit 
periodic progress and financial reports. In lieu of Standard Form 424, 
Application for Federal Assistance, the FHWA uses a work program as the 
grant application. This includes a scope of work and budget for 
activities to be undertaken with FHWA planning and research funds 
during the next one- or two-year period. The information contained in 
the work program includes task descriptions, assignments of 
responsibility for conducting the work effort, and estimated costs for 
the tasks. This information is necessary to determine how FHWA planning 
and research funds will be utilized by the State Transportation 
Departments and if the proposed work is eligible for Federal 
participation. The content and frequency of submission of progress and 
financial reports specified in 23 CFR part 420 are as specified in OMB 
Circular A-102 and the companion common grant management regulations.
    Respondents: 52 State Transportation Departments, including the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 29,120 hours (560 hours per 
respondent).
    For Further Information Contact: Mr. Tony Solury, 202-366-5003, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Planning 
and Environment Core Business Unit, 400 Seventh Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    4. Title: Structure Inventory and Appraisal Sheet.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0501 (Expiration Date: April 30, 2001).
    Abstract: The collection of the bridge information contained on the 
Structure Inventory and Appraisal Sheet (SI&A) is necessary to satisfy 
the requirements of Title 23 United States Code 144 and 151, and the 
Code of Federal Regulations, 23 Highways--Part 650, Subpart C--National 
Bridge Inspection Standards and Subpart D--Highway Bridge Replacement 
and Rehabilitation Program. The National Bridge Inspection Standards 
(NBIS) require bridge inspection and reporting at regular intervals for 
all bridges located on public roads. The NBIS information is used as a 
basis for setting priorities for the replacement or rehabilitation of 
bridges under the Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program 
(HBRRP) and for apportioning HBRRP funds to the States for bridge 
replacement or rehabilitation. In addition, the information is used for 
strategic national defense needs and for preparing the report to 
Congress on the status of the Nation's highway bridges and funding 
under the HBRRP.
    Respondents: 52 State Transportation Departments, including the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
    Frequency: Biannual inspections and annual reporting.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 540,000 hours. The average burden is 
two hours to complete each SI&A sheet on the approximate 270,000 
bridges that are inspected annually. The total bridge inventory 
(rounded to 600,000) requires biannual inspections; approximately 10 
percent, or 30,000 of the 300,000 bridges that are inspected each year 
receive an extended inspection. Some States voluntarily inspect bridges 
more frequently; however, these estimates do not include this 
information.
    For Further Information Contact: Mr. Ray McCormick, 202-366-4675, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 
Infrastructure Core Business Unit, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

    5. Title: Emergency Relief Funding Applications.
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0525 (Expiration Date: May 31, 2001).
    Abstract: Section 125 of Title 23 United States Code requires 
States to submit applications to the FHWA for emergency relief (ER) 
funds. The ER funds are established for the repair or reconstruction of 
Federal-aid highways and Federal roads which have suffered serious 
damage by natural disasters over a wide area or serious damage from 
catastrophic failures. The information is

[[Page 66580]]

needed for the FHWA to fulfill its statutory obligations regarding 
funding determinations on emergency work to repair highway facilities. 
The requirements covering the FHWA ER program are contained in 23 CFR 
part 668.
    Respondents: 52 State Transportation Departments, including the 
District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
    Frequency: As required.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,000 hours. 200 hours per 
application for an average of 30 annual applications.
    For Further Information Contact: Mr. Mohan Pillay, 202-366-4655, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 
Infrastructure Core Business Unit, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    6. Title: Preparation and Execution of the Project Agreement and 
Modifications
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0529 (Expiration Date: May 31, 2001).
    Abstract: Formal agreements between State transportation 
departments and the FHWA are required for Federal-aid highway projects. 
These agreements, referred to as ``project agreements'' are written 
contracts between the State and the Federal government that define the 
extent of work to be undertaken and commitments made concerning a 
highway project. In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), published 
on August 31, 2000 (65 FR 52962), the FHWA proposed actions that would 
update and modify existing requirements to reflect statutory changes to 
the project agreement process mandated by section 1305 of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) (Public Law 
105-178, 112 Stat. 107). This FHWA proposal would combine the 
authorization of work and execution of the project agreement for a 
Federal-aid project into a single action. We do not expect the basic 
requirement for a project agreement to change, nor do we expect changes 
to the current information collection burden estimates as a result of 
this proposal. Nonetheless, the FHWA will consider any comments 
received to the NPRM regarding these information collections before 
issuance of a final rule in this matter. A final rule would reflect any 
necessary changes to 23 CFR 630, subpart A. Thus, the FHWA's current 
submission to OMB seeking approval to renew this information collection 
will not reflect any revised estimates in burdens. The estimates set 
forth below are based on current regulations.
    Respondents: 50 State Transportation Departments, the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the 
Northern Mariana Islands, and the Territories of Guam, the Virgin 
Islands and American Samoa
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 12,040 hours. There are an average 
of 215 annual agreements per respondent. Each agreement requires 
approximately one hour to complete.
    For Further Information Contact: Mr. Jack Wasley, 202-366-4658, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 
Infrastructure Core Business Unit, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, 
DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

    7. Title: Nationwide Survey of ``Public Roads'' Readers
    OMB Control Number: 2125-0562 (Expiration Date: May 31, 2001)
    Abstract: ``Public Roads'' is a bimonthly magazine published by the 
FHWA. The FHWA conducts periodic surveys of its readers to improve the 
quality and content of the magazine. Executive Order 12862 requires all 
agencies to identify their customers, survey their satisfaction with 
current services, set standards for service and measure results against 
them. A nationwide census of readers was conducted in 1995 to establish 
benchmarks to gauge overall reader satisfaction and to measure, in 
particular, satisfaction with significant changes that had been made in 
the magazine's design and content, subject scope, and audience. The 
results of ongoing surveys will form the basis of a major, direct-mail 
campaign to increase the number of paid subscribers.
    Respondents: Approximately 1,500 paid and complementary subscribers 
to ``Public Roads'' magazine.
    Frequency: Biennially.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 375 hours. The average burden per 
response is 15 minutes.
    For Further Information Contact: Ms. Martha Soneira, 202-493-3468, 
Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Research, 
Development and Technology Service Business Unit, Turner-Fairbank 
Highway Research Center, 6300 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101. Office 
hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.
    Electronic Access: Internet users may 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 Electronic Bulletin Board Service at 
telephone number 202-512-1661. Internet users may reach the Federal 
Register's home page at http://www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government 
Printing Office's database at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

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

    Issued on: October 31, 2000.
James R. Kabel,
Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 00-28345 Filed 11-03-00; 8:45 am]
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