[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28142-28143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11141]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Notice of Intent To Request Approval From the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for a Public Collection of Information; 
Passengers With Disabilities Screening Program Performance Survey

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration (TSA), DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: TSA invites public comment on a new information collection 
requirement abstracted below that will be submitted to OMB for approval 
in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

DATES: Send your comments by July 19, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Kathleen Blank, 
Office of Transportation Security Policy, TSA-9, 601 South 12th Street, 
Arlington, VA 22202.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Blank at the above address or 
by telephone (571) 227-3254; facsimile (571) 227-1374; or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.), a Federal agency may not conduct 
or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of 
information unless it displays a valid OMB control number. Therefore, 
in preparation for submission to obtain clearance of the following 
information collection, TSA solicits comments in order to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of TSA functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of TSA's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

Purpose of Data Collection

    TSA has implemented a number of standard operating procedures to 
screen passengers with disabilities who travel by commercial airline 
and proceed through passenger security checkpoints at airports. TSA 
seeks to be a performance-based organization--one that evaluates 
programs and measures its performance based on credible, objective 
data. For functions that involve public interaction, such as screening 
of air travelers, TSA believes that it is imperative to include the 
opinion of the passengers served as part of our performance 
measurement.
    TSA already conducts population-wide passenger surveys and collects 
passenger complaints and compliments at the airport and through the TSA 
Contact Center. We now seek to collect data from passengers with 
disabilities to evaluate whether screeners are implementing the 
standard operating procedures properly. We also seek to determine 
whether passengers with disabilities feel that TSA is treating them 
with respect and attention to their needs while keeping air travel 
secure.

Description of Data Collection

    TSA intends to collect data via a passenger satisfaction survey 
distributed by TSA screeners to passengers with disabilities at the 
conclusion of the screening process. Screeners will be trained to 
provide the survey to passengers and request their voluntary 
participation to measure and improve TSA's service. This 10-minute 
survey will be provided to an expected 30,000 passengers (approximately 
300 passengers at each of the 82 major airports, plus a sample from 
members of stakeholder groups) for an estimated total burden of 5,000 
hours. Results will be anonymous, but will be linked to the airport at 
which the service occurred to help TSA identify high- and low-
performing airports.
    TSA screeners at the 82 largest airports, which account for 
approximately 90% of total passengers screened, will distribute the 
surveys over a two-month period each time a passenger with disabilities 
is screened. The survey will be self-addressed and postage-paid so that 
the passenger can return it to TSA at their convenience. Alternatively, 
passengers may return the survey directly to the TSA screener, if they 
choose to complete it at the airport. TSA will also distribute surveys 
to advocacy groups that have worked with us to develop the standard 
operating procedures for screening passengers with disabilities. These 
groups will distribute surveys to their members to be returned to TSA.
    The survey will seek feedback on TSA's standard procedures for 
screening (1) passengers with hearing, vision, mobility, and hidden 
disabilities, as well as other medical conditions, and (2) the 
assistive devices, equipment, aids, and supplies accompanying 
passengers in each category. It will ask questions designed to measure 
whether the standard operating procedures are being met, to assess 
overall satisfaction and confidence with the screening process, and to 
help TSA understand its performance in different demographic areas. It 
will also have space for open-ended comments if passengers wish to 
provide additional feedback to TSA. The survey will include the mailing 
address, e-mail address, and phone number of the TSA Screening of 
Persons with Disabilities Program Office in case passengers have 
additional questions or want to provide additional information.

Use of Results

    TSA personnel from Headquarters and individual airports will use 
the results to evaluate and improve service to passengers with 
disabilities. We will analyze questions related to various elements of 
the standard operating procedures, with respect to each of the four 
disability types, and with respect to other relevant demographics. The 
results will not be statistically representative of any population 
beyond the sample of survey respondents, but will present a relatively 
comprehensive snapshot of TSA's screening of passengers with 
disabilities during the two-month period of data collection. The 
results also will be part of the DHS annual reporting to Congress under 
the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). The TSA Screening of 
Persons with Disabilities Program is one of the department's top four 
disability initiatives for this year to ensure the

[[Page 28143]]

inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce, operations, and 
programs.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on May 11, 2004.
Susan T. Tracey,
Chief Administrative Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-11141 Filed 5-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P