[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24314-24315]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10009]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-xxxx-xxxx]


Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is 
announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection 
of certain information by the Agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
of 1995 (the PRA), Federal Agencies are required to publish a notice in 
the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information 
and to allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This 
notice solicits comments on an information collection supporting Driver 
Distraction Measurement Research.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments using any of the following methods:
    Electronic submissions: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility, M-30, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building, Ground Floor, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590.
    Hand Delivery: West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the Agency name and the 
Docket number for this Notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without changes to http://www.regulations.gov including any 
personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Elizabeth Mazzae, Applied Crash 
Avoidance Research Division, Vehicle Research and Test Center, NHTSA, 
10820 State Route 347--Bldg. 60, East Liberty, Ohio 43319; Telephone 
(937) 666-4511; Facsimile: (937) 666-3590; email address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), 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 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;

[[Page 24315]]

    (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 collection of 
information:
    Title: Driver Distraction Measurement Research.
    Type of Request: New collection.
    OMB Clearance Number: None.
    Form Number: NHTSA Form 1157.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of 
approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: NHTSA proposes to collect 
information from the public as part of a multi-study research effort 
that supports the development of measurement techniques for auditory-
vocal interactions involving in-vehicle and portable devices. Questions 
will be asked in conjunction with driving experiments involving both 
driving simulator and visual occlusion apparatus research tools. The 
research will involve driving simulator-based experiments in which 
participants perform specific secondary tasks while driving. The 
questions will be used to assess individuals' suitability for study 
participation, to obtain ratings of task difficulty that can be 
compared to driving performance data, and to assess the incidence and 
severity of any discomfort stemming from driving the simulator.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 
(NHTSA) mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce 
healthcare and other economic costs associated with motor vehicle 
crashes. An April 2010 program plan document titled ``Overview of the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Driver Distraction 
Program'' announced multiple efforts to reduce the dangers associated 
with distracted driving. This research aims to inform the development 
of test procedures and criteria that could be used for voice systems.
    Respondents: We estimate that 1,650 persons will complete at least 
a portion of the information collection. Respondents will be licensed 
drivers aged 18-70 years who drive at least 3,000 miles annually, are 
in good health, and do not require to assistive devices to safely 
operate a vehicle.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: In support of this research, it is 
estimated that 1,650 individuals will complete the first set of 
screening questions and 1,400 will complete the second set of screening 
questions. Of the 1,400, it is estimated that 1,000 individuals will 
meet criteria for participation. From those 1,000, approximately 425 
individuals will be chosen to produce a sample providing a balance of 
age and genders and will be scheduled for study participation.
    Estimated Time per Response: Completion of the screening questions 
is estimated to take approximately 5 minutes for the first set and 10 
minutes for the second set. The Rating Scale for Mental Effort (RSME) 
is estimated to take 2.5 minutes per participant and the simulator 
sickness questionnaire is estimated to take 2 minutes per participant.
    Total Estimated Annual Burden: 176 hours.
    Frequency of Collection: The data collection described will be 
performed once to obtain the target number of valid test participants.

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

Nathaniel Beuse,
Associate Administrator for Vehicle Safety Research.
[FR Doc. 2015-10009 Filed 4-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P