[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40190-40191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-19242]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


2002 Economic Census--Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before October 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, 
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
6086, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) should be directed 
to Kimberly Moore, Census Bureau, Room 2744, Building 3, Washington, DC 
20233, (301) 457-2797 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector and provider of 
timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the 
United States. Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program 
commitment during nondecennial census years. The Economic Census, 
conducted under authority of Title 13 U.S.C., is the primary source of 
facts about the structure and functioning of the Nation's economy and 
features unique industry and geographic detail. Economic Census 
statistics serve as part of the framework for the national accounts and 
provide essential information for government, business and the general 
public. The 2002 Economic Census will cover virtually every sector of 
the U.S. economy.
    The 2002 Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey, a component of the 
Economic Census, will produce basic statistics (number of trucks, 
annual miles, and average miles per truck) on the physical and 
operational characteristics of the nation's private and commercial 
truck population. It also will yield a variety of subject statistics 
including trucks by major use, fuel type, miles per gallon, and 
products carried. The Census Bureau will publish truck results at the 
state and national level.
    Primary strategies for reducing burden in the Vehicle Inventory and 
Use Survey data collection include employing a stratified random sample 
to use the least number of sampling units required to produce reliable 
statistics, providing check boxes with ranges in lieu of requiring 
specific responses, and utilizing a short form for light trucks with 
homogeneous characteristics.

II. Method of Collection

    The Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey will survey a sample of 
private and commercial trucks registered in the 50 States and the 
District of Columbia. Government-owned trucks will not be sampled. 
Trucks will be divided into 5 different groups: ``pick-up,'' ``van,'' 
``single-unit light,'' ``single-unit heavy,'' and ``truck tractors.'' 
All trucks will be selected at random with probabilities of selection 
varying by group and state. For each selected truck, a questionnaire 
will be mailed to the owner identified in the truck registration 
record. The owner will be asked to respond only for the truck 
identified by the registration information imprinted on the 
questionnaire, regardless of whether or not it is still in their 
possession.
    Mail selection procedures will distinguish the following groups of 
trucks:

A. Light Trucks

    A sample of ``pickups'' and ``vans'' (including panel trucks, 
minivans, and sport utility vehicles) will be selected. We estimate 
that the census mail canvass for 2002 will include approximately 32,000 
light trucks out of an overall estimated universe of over 70 million 
privately and commercially registered light trucks.

B. Medium and Heavy Trucks

    Selection procedures will assign all single-unit trucks (excluding 
those in the pickup and van strata) with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) 
of 26,000 pounds or less to the ``single-unit light'' group, the 
remaining single unit trucks to the ``single-unit heavy'' group, and 
truck tractors to the ``truck tractor'' group. We estimate that the 
census mail canvass for 2002 will include approximately 103,500 medium 
and heavy trucks out of an overall estimated universe of over 6 million 
privately and commercially registered medium and heavy trucks.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not available.
    Form Number: 
    TC-9501 Light Trucks.
    TC-9502 Medium and Heavy Trucks.
    Type of Review: Regular review.
    Affected Public: Individuals, Farms, Businesses and other for-
profit institutions, Non-profit institutions, Small businesses or 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents:
    TC-9501 (Light Trucks): 31,851.
    TC-9502 (Medium and Heavy Trucks): 103,503.
    Total Number of Respondents: 135,354.
    Estimated Time Per Response:.
    TC-9501 (Light Trucks): .4 hours.
    TC-9502 (Medium and Heavy Trucks): .7 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
    TC-9501 (Light Trucks): 12,740.
    TC-9502 (Medium and Heavy Trucks): 72,452.
    Total Annual Burden Hours: 85,192.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost:
    TC-9501 (Light Trucks): $231,868.
    TC-9502 (Medium and Heavy Trucks): $1,318,626.

[[Page 40191]]

    Total Annual Cost: $1,550,494.
    Respondent's Obligation. Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, Section 131 of the United States Code.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary or the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 27, 2001.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-19242 Filed 8-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P