[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 179 (Monday, September 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64024-64025]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20134]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2023-0020]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: 
Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve 
the extension of a currently approved information collection: 
Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Transportation Planning.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before November 17, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once 
into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by 
only one of the following methods:
    1. Website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. 
(Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) electronic 
docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic 
submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site 
at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below 
for mailed and hand-delivered comments.
    2. Fax: 202-366-7951.
    3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number 
for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of 
your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has 
received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note 
that all comments received, including any personal information, will be 
posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to 
www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 
19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the 
docket to read background documents and comments received, go to 
www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments 
received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. 
and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Reena Mathews at (202) 366-2076, or 
email: Reena [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to 
minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the 
collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of 
this information collection.
    Title: Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan 
Transportation Planning.
    OMB Number: 2132-0529.
    Background: The FTA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 
jointly carry out the Federal mandate to improve urban and rural 
transportation. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304 and 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135 
authorize the use of Federal funds to assist Metropolitan Planning 
Organizations (MPOs), States, and local public bodies in developing 
transportation plans and programs to serve the transportation needs of 
urbanized areas over 50,000 in population and other areas of States 
outside of urbanized areas. The program provides funding and procedural 
requirements for multimodal transportation planning in metropolitan 
areas and States. Planning needs to be cooperative, continuous, and 
comprehensive, resulting in long-range plans and short-range programs 
reflecting transportation investment priorities. Eligible respondents 
include State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan 
Planning Organizations (MPOs). Federal planning funds are first 
apportioned to State DOTs. State DOTs then allocate planning funding to 
MPOs. Funds are available for planning activities that (A) support the 
economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling 
global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency; (B) increase the 
safety of the transportation system for motorized and nonmotorized 
users; (C) increase the security of the transportation system for 
motorized and nonmotorized users; (D) increase the accessibility and 
mobility of people and for freight; (E) protect and enhance the 
environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life, 
and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State 
and local planned growth, housing, and economic development patterns; 
(F) enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation 
system, across and between modes, for people and freight; (G) promote 
efficient system management and operation; (H) emphasize the 
preservation of the existing transportation system; and (I) improve the 
resiliency and reliability of the transportation system. Funds are 
apportioned to States by a formula that includes each State's urbanized 
area population in proportion to the total urbanized area population 
for the

[[Page 64025]]

nation, as well as other factors. States can receive no less than .5 
percent of the amount apportioned. These funds, in turn, are sub-
allocated by States to MPOs by a formula that considers each MPO's 
urbanized area population, their individual planning needs, and a 
minimum distribution.
    Respondents: State Departments of Transportation and MPOs.
    Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 11,693 hours for each of 
the 502 respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,869,921 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

Emily Anderson,
Director, Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2023-20134 Filed 9-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P