[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39469-39470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16189]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Drivers' 
Awareness of and Response to Significant Weather Events and the 
Correlation of Weather to Road Impacts

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice.

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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.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 4, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 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 and instructions should 
be Kevin Barjenbruch, 801-524-5113, or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This request is for a reinstatement of a previously approved 
information collection. Due to an unusually dry winter, this survey 
could not be conducted during the OMB approval period.
    This project is a joint effort of the University of Utah, NOAA's 
National Weather Service (NWS), the Utah Department of Transportation 
(UDOT), and NorthWest Weathernet (NWN) to investigate and understand 
the relationship between meteorological phenomena and road conditions, 
as well as public understanding and response to available forecast 
information. The events which impact the Salt Lake City metro area 
during the winter of 2012-2013 will be examined. Through the 
administration of a targeted survey, important details will be gathered 
regarding: (a) The information that drivers possessed prior to and 
during a storm, including knowledge of observed and forecast weather 
conditions; (b) sources of weather and road information; (c) any 
modification of travel and/or commute plans, based on event 
information; (d) anticipation and perception of storm impacts and 
severity; and (e) perception and behavioral response to messages 
conveyed by the NWS and UDOT, along with their satisfaction of 
information provided. Analyses of the information gathered will focus 
on driver knowledge, perceptions, and decision making. Ultimately, the 
results of this survey will provide insight on how the Weather 
Enterprise may more effectively communicate hazard information to the 
public in a manner which leads to improved response (i.e., change 
travel times, modes, etc.). With a sufficient level of behavior change, 
it should be possible to improve safety

[[Page 39470]]

and reduce the costs associated with weather related congestion and 
associated delays. Additionally, the project will shed light upon the 
interrelationship between meteorological phenomena, road conditions, 
and their combined impact on travel.

II. Method of Collection

    PEGUS Research, a professional firm, will gather responses via 
random digit dialing, with survey participants providing responses via 
landline or cell phone communication.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0624.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (reinstatement of a previously 
approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for 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: June 27, 2012.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-16189 Filed 7-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P