[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 221 (Friday, November 17, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80381-80382]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25413]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2023-0027]


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

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) 
abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the 
information collection and their expected burdens.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 18, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
    Comments are Invited On: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its 
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration, 
Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail Stop TAD-
10, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-0354 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, section 2, 109 stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised 
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public 
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve 
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 
1320.12. On September 18, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR 
33963) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the 
agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments after issuing 
this 60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information 
collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 
CFR 1320.12(c).
    Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed collections of 
information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 44 U.S.C. 
3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to approve or 
disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after the 30-day 
notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 1320.12(d); see also 
60 FR 44978, 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. OMB believes that the 30-day notice 
informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and affords 
the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it renders a 
decision. 60 FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995. Therefore, respondents should 
submit their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication 
to best ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 
FR 44983, Aug. 29, 1995.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.
    Title: Metropolitan and Statewide and Nonmetropolitan 
Transportation Planning.
    OMB Control 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

[[Page 80382]]

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 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.

Nadine Pembleton,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-25413 Filed 11-16-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P