[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 111 (Friday, June 9, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33478-33479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-9020]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One New Public Collection 
of Information: TSA Web Site Usability Development: Focus Groups and 
Online Survey

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites 
public comment on a new information collection requirement abstracted 
below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

DATES: Send your comments by August 8, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Katrina Wawer, 
Attorney-Advisor, Office of the Chief Counsel, TSA-2, Transportation 
Security Administration, 601 South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-
4220.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katrina Wawer at the above address, or 
by telephone (571) 227-1995; or Yolanda Clark, Director and Chief 
Spokesperson, or Philip Joncas, Office of Strategic Communications and 
Public Information, TSA-9, Transportation Security Administration, 601 
South 12th Street, Arlington, VA 22202-4220, or call (571) 227-2747.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), an 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 OMB 
review and approval of the following information collection, TSA is 
soliciting comments to--
    (1) Evaluate whether the proposed information requirement is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden;
    (3) Enhance the quality, effectiveness, 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 using appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological

[[Page 33479]]

collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Purpose of Data Collection

    In order to provide a useful public Web site, TSA seeks to 
administer two data collections to obtain feedback concerning the 
usability, content, focus and satisfaction of passengers who use TSA's 
Web site, titled ``Web site Focus Groups'' and ``Web site Online 
Survey.'' TSA will use the data collected through these collection 
methods to deliver effective and engaging information to meet 
customers' needs and continuously improve TSA's Web site usability.

Description of Data Collection

    TSA intends to collect data via the following instruments:
    (1) Web site Focus Groups. TSA intends to conduct focus groups in a 
metropolitan area in each of TSA's three regions: East, Midwest, and 
West. TSA, through consultants, will administer the usability focus 
groups, one per region, by having volunteers use computers to access 
the TSA Web site under close supervision. Volunteers will provide both 
verbal and written feedback to the individuals administering the 
session. Participants will be selected randomly, at different travel 
times, from different locations, so that the sample includes 
individuals traveling throughout the day.
    Participation will be voluntary. TSA Headquarters will supply an 
independent, paid consultant to lead the user focus groups. These 
consultants will handle the data collected during focus groups and 
provide TSA with analysis of the results in order to ensure the results 
are free of bias and present a truly accurate representation of the 
focus group responses. A TSA representative will be present at each 
focus group to monitor the consultants responsible for conducting the 
focus groups and synthesizing the results, and to ensure the data 
collection is conducted in a professional manner and follows best 
practices for conducting focus group research.
    Focus groups will be conducted at various dates, times, and 
locations to provide a general representation of all customer 
preferences and not one particular group or subset of the population. 
TSA intends to conduct 15 user focus groups annually, each with a 
target of 10 total participant hours, based on an estimate of a 1 hour 
burden per respondent. TSA estimates a maximum total annual burden of 
150 hours (10 participants times 15 focus group sessions equals 150 
hours total). There is no burden on those who choose not to be involved 
in the focus groups.
    (2) Web site Online Survey. TSA also will conduct voluntary Web 
site surveys to collect data for improved content and usability. The 
surveys will be available via the TSA Web site (http://www.tsa.gov). 
Participation by Web site users will be voluntary. TSA Headquarters 
will provide a list of approximately 20 approved questions, from which 
the TSA Web Director will configure an online survey available to Web 
site users who choose to provide their feedback.
    Surveys will comprise an approximate five-minute burden per 
respondent and an aggregate burden of 34 hours per year, based on an 
estimated 400 online surveys voluntarily completed per year (400 
surveys times 5 minutes per survey equals 2000 minutes total, which is 
then divided by 60 minutes, resulting in 34 hours total). There is no 
burden on users who choose not to participate.

Use of Results

    TSA Headquarters will use the focus group and survey results to 
evaluate and improve Web site content and usability, both via formal, 
rigorous usability performance measurement, and via targeted responses 
to problems and areas of opportunity that are identified. TSA senior 
management, the TSA Web Director in the Office of Strategic 
Communication and Public Affairs, and the Office of the Chief 
Information Officer, will use the results of the Web site Focus Groups 
and the Web site Online Survey to create a Web site usability and 
utility index, i.e., a summary of performance measures. TSA will use 
this index to evaluate the impact of Web site content and layout as TSA 
makes further strides to address public demand for convenient access to 
information via the Web.

    Issued in Arlington, Virginia, on June 5, 2006.
Peter Pietra,
Director, Privacy Policy and Compliance.
[FR Doc. E6-9020 Filed 6-8-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P