[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56807-56808]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15126]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2024-0005]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: FTA 
Program Evaluation for Processes and Outcomes

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

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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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 August 9, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Find this 
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
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 December 7, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR 
85357) 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: FTA Program Evaluation for Processes and Outcomes.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-NEW INFORMATION COLLECTION REQUEST.
    Background: The Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 
2018 (the Evidence Act) requires Federal agencies to develop evidence 
to support policymaking. Federal agencies, including FTA, must 
systematically collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness and 
efficiency of their programs through evaluation. According to the 
Evidence Act, ``an evaluation is an assessment, using systematic data 
collection and analysis, of one or more programs, policies, and/or 
organizations intended to assess their effectiveness and efficiency.'' 
Evidence resulting from evaluations and other evidence-building 
activities should be used to inform leaders about whether Federal 
programs and activities are achieving their intended results and 
contribute to improved use of data and evidence-based decision making.
    To effectively evaluate programs, FTA needs to collect data 
directly from program participants, such as State Departments of 
Transportation (DOTs), Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), 
Transit Authorities, State and Local Government Units, and Indian 
Tribes, to understand their experiences and benefits of program 
participation. Participants may be engaged through surveys or focus 
groups to collect

[[Page 56808]]

relevant data. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the 
Government Accountability Office (GAO) strongly advocate for 
stakeholder engagement in evaluation design. OMB's M-19-23 Memorandum 
emphasizes that engaging stakeholders enhances the utility of 
evaluation findings to improve program effectiveness.
    To ensure alignment with ongoing efforts, this information request 
seeks to support the FTA in meeting the Evidence Act's requirements and 
contribute to FTA's broader framework of evidence-based decision-
making. This is a voluntary data and information collection, with no 
participation requirement to receive Federal benefits. The survey 
portion of this information collection differs from other similar 
efforts, such as the FTA Stakeholder Survey which targets grant 
recipients and inquires on customer satisfaction with a range of FTA 
services and knowledge of rulemaking. Current and previous information 
collections for grant applicants and grantees to provide routine 
program planning and metrics on plans and deliverables are separate 
from this collection. Rather, this information collection will allow 
FTA decision makers to understand challenges and barriers to program 
implementation, identify opportunities for improving program 
communications and outreach, and make stronger linkages between program 
progress and outcomes.
    The summary provided below has been updated since the publication 
of the 60-Day Federal Register Notice. The estimated annual respondents 
and number of responses have changed to reflect the current number of 
program participants for each representative FTA program as of April 
2024. The estimated total burden was also updated to reflect this 
change in the estimated number of respondents, as well as a change to 
the estimated time per information collection based on the results of 
pilot testing.
    Respondents: State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and 
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), Transit Authorities, 
States, and Local Government Units, Indian Tribes.
    Estimated Annual Respondents: 1,380 respondents.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 2,070 responses.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 2,180 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

Kusum Dhyani,
Director, Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2024-15126 Filed 7-9-24; 8:45 am]
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