Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP), 34738-34739 [E7-12127]

Download as PDF 34738 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Notices Denver Airports District Office, 26805 E. 68th Ave., Suite 224, Denver, Colorado 80249. The request to release property may be reviewed in person at this same location. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA invites public comment on the request to release property at the Pueblo Memorial Airport under the provisions of the AIR 21. On May 30, 2007, the FAA determined that the request to release property at the Pueblo Memorial Airport submitted by the City of Pueblo, Colorado met the procedural requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 155. The FAA may approve the request, in whole or in part, no later than July 27, 2007. The following is a brief overview of the request: The Pueblo Memorial Airport requests the release of 18.69 acres of nonaeronautical airport property, otherwise known as lot 8 of the Pueblo Memorial Industrial Park Subdivision, to the City of Pueblo, Colorado. The purpose of this release is to allow the City to sell the subject land that no longer serves any aeronautical purpose at the airport. The sale of this parcel will provide funds for airport improvements. Any person may inspect the request by appointment at the FAA office listed above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. In addition, any person may, inspect the application, notice and other documents germane to the application in person at the Pueblo Memorial Airport, 31201 Bryan Circle, Pueblo, Colorado 81001. Issued in Denver, Colorado on June 25, 2007. Craig A. Sparks, Manager, Denver Airports District Office. [FR Doc. 07–3071 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am] Electronic Access An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded from the Office of the Federal Register’s home page at https:// www.archives.gov and the Government Printing Office’s Web site at https:// www.access.gpo.gov. BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program (STEP) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Section 5207 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) established the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research VerDate Aug<31>2005 23:08 Jun 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 Program (STEP). The general objective of the STEP is to improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning and the environment. SAFETEA–LU provides $16.875 million per year for fiscal years (FY) 2006–2009 to implement this new cooperative research program. STEP is the primary source of funds to conduct all Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research on planning and environmental issues. In addition, Congress mandated several special studies and STEP will be the funding source for those projects. STEP will also address priorities identified in the U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Development Strategic Plan (section 508 of title 23 U.S.C.) including those related to highway safety benefits and congestion reduction. The purpose of this notice is to announce revisions to the STEP implementation strategy for FY 2008 and to request suggested lines of research for the FY 2008 STEP via the STEP Web site at https:// www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm. DATES: Suggestions for lines of research should be submitted to the STEP Web site on or before August 24, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Felicia Young, Office of Interstate and Border Planning, (202) 366–1263, Felicia.young@fhwa.dot.gov; or Grace Reidy, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366–6226; Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 5207 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109–59, Aug. 10. 2005), established the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative Research Program. STEP is a new cooperative research program for environment and planning research created in section 507 of Title 23, United States Code, Highways (23 U.S.C. 507). The general objective of the STEP is to improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the environment. PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Congestion reduction is an important element of the STEP. Transportation system congestion is one of the single largest threats to U.S. economic prosperity and the American way of life. In response to the challenges of congestion, in May 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) established the National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network (the ‘‘Congestion Initiative’’). The Congestion Initiative is a bold and comprehensive national program to reduce congestion on the Nation’s roads, rails, runways and waterways. Traffic congestion affects virtually every aspect of peoples’ lives—where people live, where they work, where they shop and how much they pay for goods and services. According to 2003 figures, in certain metropolitan areas the average rush hour driver loses as many as 93 hours per year to travel delay— equivalent to more than 2 weeks of work, amounting annually to a virtual ‘‘congestion tax’’ as high as $1,598 per traveler in wasted time and fuel.1 Nationwide, congestion imposes costs on the economy of over $65 billion per year,2 a figure that has more than doubled since 1993, and that would be even higher if it accounted for the significant cost of unreliability to drivers and businesses, the environmental impacts of idle related auto emissions, or increase gasoline prices. The STEP directly addresses congestion reduction efforts as part of the Planning Focus Area. Other STEP emphasis areas include goals and objectives that relate to congestion reduction. These include: Congestion; Air Quality and Global Climate Change, Bicycle/Pedestrian and Health, Environmental Streamlining/ Stewardship; U.S./Canada and U.S. Mexico Border Planning; Safety Planning; Freight Planning; Travel Modeling, etc. In addition, STEP outreach efforts continue to seek partnerships that can leverage limited research funding with other stakeholders and partners in order to increase the total amount of funding available to meet the Nation’s surface transportation research needs including congestion reduction. SAFETEA–LU provides $16.875 million per year for FY 2006–2009 to implement this new cooperative research program. Due to obligation 1 Texas Transportation Institute (TTIl, 2005 Urban Mobility Report, May 2005 (https:// ttiltamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2005.pdf), Tables 1 and 2. 2 TTI, 2005 Urban Mobility Report, p. 1. E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1 sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 121 / Monday, June 25, 2007 / Notices limitations, rescissions, and congressional designation of Title V Research in SAFETEA–LU, it is anticipated that approximately $11.7 million of the $16.875 million authorized will be available each fiscal year. On March 1, 2006, FHWA published a notice in the Federal Register (71 FR 10586) announcing the creation of an FHWA Web site to provide information regarding STEP and to solicit public input on the implementation strategy for this program. After reviewing the comments received in response to this notice, FHWA published a notice in the Federal Register on August 4, 2006 (71 FR 44348), announcing the posting of the final STEP Implementation Strategy on the STEP Web site. Additionally, this notice requested suggestions be submitted via the STEP Web site for the lines of research that should be undertaken in the STEP program. The FHWA is issuing this notice: (1) To announce revisions to the STEP Implementation Strategy for the FY 2008 STEP, and (2) to solicit comments on proposed research activities to be undertaken in the FY 2008 STEP via the STEP Web site. The STEP Implementation Strategy was revised to: update information on the graph and chart regarding historical planning and environment research funding, and to add information about proposed FY 2008 STEP including proposed funding levels, goals and potential research activities. Suggested lines of research activities for the FY 2008 STEP may include potential research ideas related to highway safety and the Congestion Initiative. Research activities related to the Congestion Initiative could specifically include ideas to relieve urban congestion; unleash private sector investment resources; promote operational and technological improvements and target major freight bottlenecks and expand freight policy outreach. We invite the public to visit this Web site to obtain additional information on the STEP, as well as information on the process for forwarding comments to FHWA regarding the STEP implementation plan. The URL for the STEP Web site is https:// www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm. The FHWA will use this Web site as a major mechanism for informing the public regarding the status of the STEP. Authority: Section 5207 of Public Law 109–59. VerDate Aug<31>2005 23:08 Jun 22, 2007 Jkt 211001 Issued on: June 8, 2007. J. Richard Capka, Federal Highway Administrator. [FR Doc. E7–12127 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD 2007 28552] Information Collection Available for Public Comments and Recommendations Notice and request for comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD’s) intention to request extension of approval for three years of a currently approved information collection. DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before August 24, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Strassburg, Maritime Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: 202–366–4156; or e-mail: joe.strassburg@dot.gov. Copies of this collection also can be obtained from that office. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title of Collection: War Risk Insurance, Applications and Related Information. Type of Request: Extension of currently approved information collection. OMB Control Number: 2133–0011. Form Numbers: MA–355; MA–528; MA–742; MA–828, and MA–942. Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of approval by the Office of Management and Budget. Summary of Collection of Information: As authorized by Section 1202, Title XII, Merchant Marine Act, 1936, as amended, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation may provide war risk insurance adequate for the needs of the waterborne commerce of the United States if such insurance cannot be obtained on reasonable terms from qualified insurance companies operating in the United States. This collection is required for the program. The collection consists of forms MA– 355; MA–528; MA–742; MA–828, and MA–942. Need and Use of the Information: The collected information is necessary to determine the eligibility of the applicant and the vessel(s) for participation in the war risk insurance program. PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 34739 Description of Respondents: Vessel owners or charterers interested in participating in MARAD’s war risk insurance program. Annual Responses: 1,378. Annual Burden: 576 hours. Comments: Comments should refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document. Written comments may be submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590. Comments also may be submitted by electronic means via the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov/ submit. Specifically address whether this information collection is necessary for proper performance of the functions of the agency and will have practical utility, accuracy of the burden estimates, ways to minimize this burden, and ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected. All comments received will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT (or EST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at https://dms.dot.gov. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78) or you may visit https://dms.dot.gov. Authority: 49 CFR 1.66. Dated: June 19, 2007. By Order of the Maritime Administrator. Daron T. Threet, Secretary, Maritime Administration. [FR Doc. E7–12244 Filed 6–22–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–81–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Maritime Administration [Docket No. MARAD 2007 28553] Information Collection Available for Public Comments and Recommendations Notice and request for comments. ACTION: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this E:\FR\FM\25JNN1.SGM 25JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 121 (Monday, June 25, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34738-34739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12127]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative 
Research Program (STEP)

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Section 5207 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) established 
the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning Cooperative 
Research Program (STEP). The general objective of the STEP is to 
improve understanding of the complex relationship between surface 
transportation, planning and the environment. SAFETEA-LU provides 
$16.875 million per year for fiscal years (FY) 2006-2009 to implement 
this new cooperative research program. STEP is the primary source of 
funds to conduct all Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research on 
planning and environmental issues. In addition, Congress mandated 
several special studies and STEP will be the funding source for those 
projects. STEP will also address priorities identified in the U.S. 
Department of Transportation Research and Development Strategic Plan 
(section 508 of title 23 U.S.C.) including those related to highway 
safety benefits and congestion reduction.
    The purpose of this notice is to announce revisions to the STEP 
implementation strategy for FY 2008 and to request suggested lines of 
research for the FY 2008 STEP via the STEP Web site at https://
www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/index.htm.

DATES: Suggestions for lines of research should be submitted to the 
STEP Web site on or before August 24, 2007.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Felicia Young, Office of Interstate 
and Border Planning, (202) 366-1263, Felicia.young@fhwa.dot.gov; or 
Grace Reidy, Office of the Chief Counsel, (202) 366-6226; Federal 
Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this notice may be downloaded from the Office 
of the Federal Register's home page at https://www.archives.gov and the 
Government Printing Office's Web site at https://www.access.gpo.gov.

Background

    Section 5207 of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient 
Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (Pub. L. 109-59, Aug. 10. 
2005), established the Surface Transportation Environment and Planning 
Cooperative Research Program. STEP is a new cooperative research 
program for environment and planning research created in section 507 of 
Title 23, United States Code, Highways (23 U.S.C. 507). The general 
objective of the STEP is to improve understanding of the complex 
relationship between surface transportation, planning, and the 
environment.
    Congestion reduction is an important element of the STEP. 
Transportation system congestion is one of the single largest threats 
to U.S. economic prosperity and the American way of life. In response 
to the challenges of congestion, in May 2006, the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (DOT) established the National Strategy to Reduce 
Congestion on America's Transportation Network (the ``Congestion 
Initiative''). The Congestion Initiative is a bold and comprehensive 
national program to reduce congestion on the Nation's roads, rails, 
runways and waterways.
    Traffic congestion affects virtually every aspect of peoples' 
lives--where people live, where they work, where they shop and how much 
they pay for goods and services. According to 2003 figures, in certain 
metropolitan areas the average rush hour driver loses as many as 93 
hours per year to travel delay--equivalent to more than 2 weeks of 
work, amounting annually to a virtual ``congestion tax'' as high as 
$1,598 per traveler in wasted time and fuel.\1\ Nationwide, congestion 
imposes costs on the economy of over $65 billion per year,\2\ a figure 
that has more than doubled since 1993, and that would be even higher if 
it accounted for the significant cost of unreliability to drivers and 
businesses, the environmental impacts of idle related auto emissions, 
or increase gasoline prices.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Texas Transportation Institute (TTI--, 2005 Urban Mobility 
Report, May 2005 (https://ttiltamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_
2005.pdf), Tables 1 and 2.
    \2\ TTI, 2005 Urban Mobility Report, p. 1.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The STEP directly addresses congestion reduction efforts as part of 
the Planning Focus Area. Other STEP emphasis areas include goals and 
objectives that relate to congestion reduction. These include: 
Congestion; Air Quality and Global Climate Change, Bicycle/Pedestrian 
and Health, Environmental Streamlining/Stewardship; U.S./Canada and 
U.S. Mexico Border Planning; Safety Planning; Freight Planning; Travel 
Modeling, etc. In addition, STEP outreach efforts continue to seek 
partnerships that can leverage limited research funding with other 
stakeholders and partners in order to increase the total amount of 
funding available to meet the Nation's surface transportation research 
needs including congestion reduction.
    SAFETEA-LU provides $16.875 million per year for FY 2006-2009 to 
implement this new cooperative research program. Due to obligation

[[Page 34739]]

limitations, rescissions, and congressional designation of Title V 
Research in SAFETEA-LU, it is anticipated that approximately $11.7 
million of the $16.875 million authorized will be available each fiscal 
year.
    On March 1, 2006, FHWA published a notice in the Federal Register 
(71 FR 10586) announcing the creation of an FHWA Web site to provide 
information regarding STEP and to solicit public input on the 
implementation strategy for this program. After reviewing the comments 
received in response to this notice, FHWA published a notice in the 
Federal Register on August 4, 2006 (71 FR 44348), announcing the 
posting of the final STEP Implementation Strategy on the STEP Web site. 
Additionally, this notice requested suggestions be submitted via the 
STEP Web site for the lines of research that should be undertaken in 
the STEP program.
    The FHWA is issuing this notice: (1) To announce revisions to the 
STEP Implementation Strategy for the FY 2008 STEP, and (2) to solicit 
comments on proposed research activities to be undertaken in the FY 
2008 STEP via the STEP Web site. The STEP Implementation Strategy was 
revised to: update information on the graph and chart regarding 
historical planning and environment research funding, and to add 
information about proposed FY 2008 STEP including proposed funding 
levels, goals and potential research activities.
    Suggested lines of research activities for the FY 2008 STEP may 
include potential research ideas related to highway safety and the 
Congestion Initiative. Research activities related to the Congestion 
Initiative could specifically include ideas to relieve urban 
congestion; unleash private sector investment resources; promote 
operational and technological improvements and target major freight 
bottlenecks and expand freight policy outreach.
    We invite the public to visit this Web site to obtain additional 
information on the STEP, as well as information on the process for 
forwarding comments to FHWA regarding the STEP implementation plan. The 
URL for the STEP Web site is https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep/step/
index.htm. The FHWA will use this Web site as a major mechanism for 
informing the public regarding the status of the STEP.

    Authority: Section 5207 of Public Law 109-59.

    Issued on: June 8, 2007.
J. Richard Capka,
Federal Highway Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-12127 Filed 6-22-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
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