[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 26, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49253-49254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23988]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2001-10620]


Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB). Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit 
public comment on proposed collections of information, including 
extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections.
    This document describes one collection of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

Dates: Comments must be received on or before November 26, 2001.
    Addresses: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited 
at the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management, 
Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please 
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is 
provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but 
not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket 
Section is open on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact 
Edward Jettner, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5320, NPS-11, 
Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Jettner's telephone number is (202) 366-4917. 
Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to 
its OMB Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must first publish a document in the Federal Register 
providing a 60-day comment period and otherwise consult with members of 
the public and affected agencies concerning each proposed collection of 
information. The OMB has promulgated regulations describing what must 
be included in such a document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5CFR 
1320.8(d)), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:
    (i) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (ii) The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected;
    (iv) How to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collections of information:
    Title: Phase-in Production Reporting Requirements for Advanced Air 
Bags.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals, households, business, other for-
profit, not-for-profit, farms, Federal Government and State, Local or 
Tribal Government.
    OMB Control Number: 2127-0599.
    Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30111,30112, and 30117 authorize the issuance 
of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and the collection of 
data which support their implementation. Using this authority, the 
agency issued a modification to FMVSS 208, Occupant Crash Protection, 
to require advanced air bags in accordance with the Transportation 
Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA 21) which was enacted by the United 
States Congress in 1998.
    A two-stage phase-in is included in FMVSS 208 to allow for the 
introduction of advanced air bags. Manufacturers must equip a certain 
percentage of their new vehicle fleets with advanced air bags and 
report their production to NHTSA according to the following schedule, 
arranged to provide introduction of advanced air bags in two discrete 
phases:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Percent
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                 Phase 1 Production Reporting
 
First year (model year 2004), beginning September 1, 2003....         35
Second year (model year 2005) beginning September 1, 2004....         65
Third year (model year 2006) beginning September 1, 2005.....
 
                 Phase 2 Production Reporting                       100%
 
First year (model year 2008), beginning September 1, 2007....         35
Second year (model year 2009) beginning September 1, 2008....         65
Third year (model year 2010) beginning September 1, 2009.....        100
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    For each report, the manufacturer will provide, in addition to the 
identity, addresses, etc., several numerical items of information. The 
information

[[Page 49254]]

includes, but is not limited to, the following items.
    Total number of vehicles manufactured for sale during the preceding 
production year; and
    Total number of vehicles manufactured during the production year 
that are in compliance with the regulatory requirements.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 1260 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 21.

    Issued on: September 20, 2001.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-23988 Filed 9-25-01; 8:45 am]
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