[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 176 (Monday, September 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55627-55628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22730]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2010-0105]


Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

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 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before seeking OMB approval, 
Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of 
information, including extensions and reinstatements of previously 
approved collections.
    This document describes an Information Collection Request (ICR) for 
which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to the U.S. Department of 
Transportation Dockets, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., Washington, DC 
20590. Docket No. NHTSA-2010-0038.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randolph Atkins, PhD, Contracting 
Officer's Technical Representative, Office of Behavioral Safety 
Research (NTI-131), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE., W46-500, Washington, DC 20590. Dr. Atkins' 
phone number is 202-366-5597 and his e-mail address is 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB 
for approval, it must 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 regulations (at 5 CFR 
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; and
    (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 public comment on 
the following proposed collection of information:
    Title: System Analysis of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) 
Implementation.
    Type of Request: New information collection request.
    OMB Clearance Number: N/A.
    Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard forms.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: September 18, 2013.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: A great many enforcement 
strategies are in use to combat speeding today. One important approach 
increasingly being used is Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE). A number 
of studies have shown the use of speed cameras for ASE to be effective 
in reducing traffic speeds. However, despite the effectiveness of speed 
cameras programs for ASE, it is often

[[Page 55628]]

difficult to establish public acceptance for these programs and put 
them into place. The objectives of this study are to: (1) Determine how 
the existing speed camera programs in the United States were developed 
and implemented; (2) Examine other variables that have affected these 
speed camera programs; and (3) Determine how all of these variables 
have affected the success of these programs.
    This study will conduct a census survey of existing ASE programs in 
the United States and gather information from each site to address the 
objectives described above. Key personnel in the existing programs will 
be surveyed via an emailed questionnaire and by phone. This survey is 
expected to provide data relevant to ASE development and delivery that 
may affect the level of public acceptance for given speed camera 
programs, as well as their success. The variables to be addressed 
include specific target sites for the ASE (school zones, work zones, 
etc.), program funding and revenue flow (who pays for it and how, who 
profits from revenue, how it is promoted as a revenue generator or a 
safety measure), nature of citations issued (cite vehicle or cite 
driver), penalties for violations (level of fines, points on license, 
etc.), presence of other automated enforcement (red light cameras), 
level of traditional speed law enforcement, existence and results of 
program evaluations, media reports and level of media exposure, level 
of public acceptance, and the degree to which programs were set up and 
implemented according to NHTSA guidelines.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information--The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 (23 U.S.C. 101) to 
carry out a Congressional mandate to reduce the number of deaths, 
injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes on 
the Nation's highways. Speeding is one of the primary factors leading 
to vehicle crashes. In 2008, 31% of all fatal crashes were speeding-
related. The estimated economic cost to society for speeding-related 
crashes is $40.4 billion per year. Given the widespread occurrence of 
speeding and the high toll in injuries and lives lost in speed-related 
crashes, as well as the high economic costs of speed-related crashes, 
this is a safety issue that demands attention.
    Currently the information on existing ASE programs is quite 
limited. The data collected in this study will provide NHTSA with 
important detailed information on programs using this countermeasure 
that will assist in reducing speeding on our nation's highways. In 
support of its mission, NHTSA will use the findings from this survey of 
ASE programs to help existing ASE programs improve their programs, and 
provide new information on this countermeasure for speeding that can 
assist other communities in establishing well-designed speed management 
programs, including ASE. This information is focused on achieving the 
greatest benefit in decreasing crashes and resulting injuries and 
fatalities, and providing informational support to States, localities, 
and law enforcement agencies that will aid them in their efforts to 
reduce traffic crashes.
    Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number, 
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information)--
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are 
currently 58 local jurisdictions in 12 States and the District of 
Columbia using speed cameras for ASE in the United States. A few 
localities have also discontinued ASE programs in recent years. This 
survey will target communities that currently have ASE programs and 
sites that recently discontinued ASE programs. A few key personnel from 
each of the sites will be contacted to complete the survey on their ASE 
programs. This will include an emailed questionnaire and phone 
interviews. Participation will be voluntary. As this is a census 
collection of information on existing ASE programs and new programs are 
likely to start before the data collection effort can go into the 
field, our request includes a projected total to account for possible 
new program starts. In addition, as the information being collected is 
intended to help future ASE programs, our request also includes some 
programs that have discontinued ASE programs. We estimate that a 
maximum of 80 jurisdictions, including both current ASE programs and 
recently discontinued ASE programs may be contacted.
    Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Record Keeping Burden 
Resulting from the Collection of Information--The total estimated 
annual burden is approximately 960 hours for the survey and interviews 
for the 80 jurisdictions combined. We estimate approximately 12 hours 
per jurisdiction responding to our request for information (80 agencies 
x 12 hours each = 960 hours total). These 12 hours will be expended 
gathering data and past reports, writing a response to the 
questionnaire, and speaking with the researchers on the phone. 
Personnel to be contacted in each jurisdiction include the Chief of 
Police, a traffic unit/ASE unit commander, and a data person at each 
agency. In total, we estimate the need to contact a maximum total of 
320 individuals (80 agencies x 4 individuals = 320 individuals 
contacted). The respondents would not incur any reporting cost from the 
information collection beyond the time to respond to the information 
request and they would not incur any record keeping burden or record 
keeping cost from the information collection.

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. Section 3506(c)(2)(A).

Jeff Michael,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-22730 Filed 9-10-10; 8:45 am]
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