Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection, Titled: Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements, 35264-35266 [2011-14892]
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srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
35264
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 116 / Thursday, June 16, 2011 / Notices
West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.
Department of Transportation, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Kuehn, 202–493–3414, Office of
Corporate Research, Technology, and
Innovation Management, Federal
Highway Administration, Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590,
Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Exploratory Advanced Research
(EAR) Program sponsored project titled
‘‘Effects of Automated Transit and
Pedestrian/Bicycling Facilities on Urban
Travel Patterns.’’
Type of request: New information
collection requirement.
Background: The Exploratory
Advanced Research (EAR) Program was
established to conduct longer term,
higher risk research that will result in a
potentially dramatic breakthrough for
improving the durability, efficiency,
environmental impact, productivity,
and safety of highway and intermodal
transportation systems. FHWA awarded
a research project titled ‘‘Effects of
Automated Transit and
Pedestrian/Bicycling Facilities on Urban
Travel Patterns’’ that was submitted in
response to a solicitation in 2009 and
supports the EAR Program focus area of
new technology and advanced policies
for energy and resource conservation.
The project conducted by the University
of Michigan with support from the
University of Illinois at Chicago has the
potential to lead to applications for
evidence-based policies and approaches
that could substantially reduce the
percentage and total number of short
trip using private vehicles and increase
the percentage and number of trips
using current and future transit
technology and non-motorized trips,
which would reduce use and
dependence on fossil fuels and
associated pollution impacts.
The research project is attempting to
gauge potential travel-behavior response
to far-reaching improvements in the
pedestrian, cycling, and transit
environments of neighborhoods. The
transit improvements are inspired by
the frequency and quality of service that
might be made possibility of future
technologies. The project is studying the
capacity of these improvements to
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generate the following kinds of shifts:
(1) Modal shift of neighborhood trips
from auto to other modes; (2) Increased
use of regional public transit based on
improved station access; and (3) Shift of
more remote non-work destinations to
destinations within the neighborhood.
To explore these issues, the research
team is building a model that integrates
activity-based and agent-based
components. The models in turn will be
based on a survey of residents in four
neighborhoods of metropolitan Chicago.
As part of the survey, respondents will
be presented with images representing
potential improvements to the
pedestrian, cycling, and transit
environments of their neighborhoods
and will respond to scenarios regarding
their travel under these altered
conditions.
We will mail 7,700 invitations with
an expectation of 1,400 residents
responding. From that pool, 800 will be
selected for the study, which includes a
survey packet, travel diary and phone
interview.
Respondents: We estimate that 1,400
residents will respond to the initial
invitation and 800 residents will
participate in the study.
Frequency: This is a one-time
collection.
Estimated Average Burden per
Response:
The invitation portion takes
approximately 15 minutes to complete.
1400 residents × 15 minutes = 350
hours.
The research study takes
approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
(30 minutes for the survey packet and
travel diary and 1 hour for the phone
interview) 800 residents × 90 minutes =
1,200 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: The total burden for this onetime information collection would be
approximately 1,550 hours.
Public Comments Invited: You are
asked to comment on any aspect of this
information collection, including: (1)
Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the U.S.
DOT’s performance, including whether
the information will have practical
utility; (2) the accuracy of the U.S.
DOT’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed information collection; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, usefulness,
and clarity of the collected information;
and (4) ways that the burden could be
minimized, including the use of
electronic technology, without reducing
the quality of the collected information.
The agency will summarize and/or
include your comments in the request
for OMB’s clearance of this information
collection.
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Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended;
and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued On: June 10, 2011.
Michael Howell,
Acting Chief, Management Programs and
Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 2011–14916 Filed 6–15–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[U.S. DOT Docket No. FHWA–2011–0058]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Request for Comments for a
New Information Collection, Titled:
Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping
Requirements
Federal Highway
Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Request for comments.
AGENCY:
The FHWA invites public
comments about our intention to request
the Office of Management and Budget’s
(OMB) approval for a new information
collection, which is summarized below
under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. We
published a Federal Register Notice
with a 60-day public comment period
on this information collection on
February 26, 2009. We are required to
publish this notice in the Federal
Register by the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995.
DATES: Please submit comments by July
18, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by Docket ID Number FHWA–
2009–0054 by any of the following
methods:
Web Site: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received go to the Federal
eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation,
West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S.
Department of Transportation, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray
Krammes, Ph.D, PE, Acting Director,
Office of Safety Research and
Development, HRDS–07, TurnerSUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 116 / Thursday, June 16, 2011 / Notices
Fairbank Highway Research Center,
Federal Highway Administration, 6300
Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101,
tel. 202–493–3365 between 8 a.m. and
5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays, or Paul J.
Tremont, Ph.D. (same address) at 202–
493–3338.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Reports, Forms and
Recordkeeping Requirements.
The FHWA invites public comments
on our intention to request the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) to
approve a total of 30 field and
laboratory research studies that will
include collections of information from
the general public. These studies will be
conducted over a period not to exceed
3 years with an annual burden of
approximately 2000 hours and a grand
total burden of approximately 6000
hours. These collections are integral to
the performance of various analytical,
field, and laboratory human factors
research projects that FHWA intends to
conduct in support of its mission of
improving safety and increasing
mobility on our Nation’s highways
through National Leadership,
Innovation, and Program Delivery. The
laboratory and field research FHWA
conducts usually involves observations
of driver behavior in controlled
experimental settings. In the field and
laboratory, these studies are nonintrusive, as most data are driver
performance data and are automatically
acquired.
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Research Areas and Associated
Collections
The FHWA Office of Safety Research
and Development intends to conduct
analytical, field, and laboratory research
projects focused on highway safety that
will require acquisition of human
performance data from small samples of
the driving public. This research is
directed at human factors issues within
the following broad program areas: (A)
Infrastructure design including
innovative intersection configurations
and signage and roadway markings; (B)
highway operations; (C) older and
younger driver issues; and (D)
pedestrian and bicyclist concerns. Given
that the focus of the research in the
above areas is on human factors issues,
it will require that data be collected on
a few key demographic variables such as
age, gender, and driving experience,
however such data will not be linked to
personal identifying information. Before
any study is conducted under this
approval request, a thorough review will
be undertaken to ensure such data is not
currently available, and that the
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17:18 Jun 15, 2011
Jkt 223001
proposed study does not duplicate other
work.
Situations That Require Collections of
Information—Examples From Each
Category
Category A (Infrastructure Design). An
example from Category A would be a
study designed to test an innovative
intersection design such as a Double
Crossover Diamond Interchange (DCD).
This is a highly efficient intersection
design, but if not properly implemented,
it could potentially cause confusion. In
a DCD, drivers cross over to the left side
of the highway, with the result that
opposing traffic is placed on their right
side. When testing DCD
implementations, FHWA needs to know
whether drivers perceive any ambiguity
in the signage, and if they have any
orientation problems seeing opposing
traffic on their right side. Other
innovative intersection designs would
also benefit from similar information
acquired from drivers. Roadway
departure is another problem area that
could benefit from individual driver
data. For example, it would be helpful
to observe drivers’ interactions with
roadway geometry and signage so that
such information can be applied to
design decisions that can lead to
reductions in roadway departures.
Category B (Highway Operations).
One of the many challenges confronting
highway engineers is designing a signal
system that maximizes throughput and
minimizes delay. Excess delay can have
the unintended consequence of
encouraging drivers to run red lights.
This problem can be examined by
observing drivers’ behavior under
differing signaling conditions. However,
direct verbal reports of drivers are often
needed to determine why drivers are
making their decisions. For example
FHWA may learn from questioning
drivers that they would be less likely to
speed up when approaching a signal if
they knew the signal system would
recognize this behavior and respond
accordingly. One way this might happen
is by advising the motorist earlier of the
impending signal change. Driver
interviews performed under this study
area can provide information on many
key issues including behavioral
adaptation, decision making, and
reaction times to signal phases and
changes. This kind of information could
lead to improvements to signal
controllers that increase mobility and
improve safety. Speed management is
another area that could benefit from
interview data. For example, lower
speed limits in construction zones are
difficult to enforce, and interview data
with drivers can provide information on
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
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35265
better methods of restraining driver
speeds in these hazardous situations.
Category C (Older and Younger
Drivers). The driving behaviors of these
two high risk groups are of interest for
almost all FHWA safety related studies.
For example, older driver’s performance
as they negotiate new designs informs
the engineer of those aspects of the
design that present potential safety
problems, and may be in need of
modification. In contrast, young drivers
present a separate set of challenges for
highway engineers. Their ability to
negotiate a new design may be less of
a concern, however; it is necessary to
understand how these drivers perform
as they drive through these new designs.
This is important as some younger
drivers may be willing to take extra risks
in situations where ambiguity exists.
Such information from younger drivers
will help engineers determine areas of
potential ambiguity in design and
modify these areas as necessary to
ensure they are not introducing safety
hazards.
Category D (Pedestrians and
Bicyclists). Research related to
pedestrians and bicyclists arises from
the need to determine the most effective
ways to accommodate these
infrastructure users. While overt
pedestrian and bicyclist behavior needs
to be directly observed to enable
engineers to determine potential safety
hazards to these user groups. For
example, when a new intersection
design is being introduced (e.g., a triple
lane roundabout) it is especially
advantageous to acquire data that shows
how pedestrians and bicyclists negotiate
such a new design. The needs of
disabled pedestrians are also considered
when researching new intersection
treatments, and in these efforts FHWA
works closely with the U.S. Access
Board to ensure that novel intersection
treatments accommodate their needs.
Another example of research in this area
is determining bicyclists’ reactions to
such treatments as separately marked
bicycle lanes, signage, and overall
roadway configuration.
Description of How Field and
Laboratory Study Participants Will Be
Acquired
Participants for research studies will
be acquired by advertisement in local
papers, by the distribution of flyers, or
by postings to the internet. Typically,
interested parties contact FHWA and
they are asked a few questions to
determine whether they qualify for the
study. These questions involve such
issues as age, driver familiarity with the
location or scenario being used, number
of miles driven per year, and gender.
E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM
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35266
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 116 / Thursday, June 16, 2011 / Notices
Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting
and Recordkeeping Burden Resulting
From These Information Collections
and Requests for Comments
Experimental Participants:
Approximately 6,000 roadway users
drawn form the general driving
population.
Frequency: This approval request is
for 30 studies over a 3 year period.
Estimated Average Burden per
Respondent: FHWA estimates data
acquisition from persons participating
in research will require on average
about 1 hour per person.
Estimated Total and Annual Burden
Hours: Assuming 20 studies will be
Laboratory based (Simulator), and 10
will be Field based (Field Research
Vehicle), the burden is calculated as
follows:
Laboratory Experiments: 20 Simulator
* 210 participants * 1 hour = 4200
Field Experiments: 10 studies * 180
participants * 1 hour = 1800 hours
Estimated Total Burden Hours: = 6000
hours
Estimated Annual Burden Hours (over
3 years) = 2000 hours.
Public Comments Invited: You are
asked to comment on any aspect of
these information collections, including:
(1) Whether the proposed collections are
necessary for FHWA’s performance; (2)
the accuracy of the estimated burden;
(3) ways for FHWA to enhance the
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the
collected information; and (4) ways that
the burden could be minimized,
including the use of electronic
technology, without reducing the
quality of the collected information.
FHWA will respond to your comments
and summarize or include them when
requesting clearance from OMB for
these information data collections.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended;
and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on June 10, 2011.
Michael Howell,
Acting Chief, Management Programs and
Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 2011–14892 Filed 6–15–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
Reports, Forms and Record Keeping
Requirements; Agency Information
Collection Activity Under OMB Review
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration, U.S. Department
of Transportation.
AGENCY:
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17:18 Jun 15, 2011
Jkt 223001
ACTION:
Notice.
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice
announces that the Information
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted
below has been forwarded to the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. The ICR describes
the nature of the information collections
and their expected burden. The Federal
Register Notice with a 60-day comment
period was published on March 3, 2011
(76 FR 11848). No comments were
received.
This document describes the
collection of information for which
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.
The collection of information described
is the ‘‘Consolidated Child Restraint
System Registration, Labeling and
Defect Notification.’’ (OMB Control
Number: 2127–0576)
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before July 18, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs.
Cristina Echemendia at U.S. Department
of Transportation, NHTSA, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Room
W43–447, NVS–113, Washington, DC
20590. Mrs. Cristina Echemendia’s
telephone number is (202) 366–6345
and fax number is (202) 366–7002.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Title: Consolidated Child Restraint
System Registration, Labeling and
Defect Notifications’’.
OMB Control Number: 2127–0576.
Type of Request: Extension of a
currently approved collection.
Abstract: Child restraint
manufacturers are required to provide
an owner’s registration card for
purchasers of child safety seats in
accordance with title 49 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 571.213,
‘‘Child restraint systems.’’ The
registration card is perforated into twoparts (see Figures 1 and 2). The top part
contains a message and suitable
instructions to be retained by the
purchaser. The bottom part is to be
returned to the manufacturer by the
purchaser. The bottom part includes
prepaid return postage, the pre-printed
name/address of the manufacturer, the
pre-printed model and date of
manufacture, and spaces for the
purchaser to fill in his/her name and
address. Optionally, child restraint
manufacturers are permitted to add to
the registration form: (a) Specified
statements informing CRS owners that
they may register online; (b) the Internet
address for registering with the
company; (c) revisions to statements
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
reflecting use of the Internet to register;
and (d) a space for the consumer’s
e-mail address. For those CRS owners
with access to the Internet, online
registration may be a preferred method
of registering a CRS.
In addition to the registration card
supplied by the manufacturer, NHTSA
has implemented a CRS registration
system to assist those individuals who
have either lost the registration card that
came with the CRS or purchased a
previously owned CRS. Upon the
owner’s request, NHTSA provides a
substitute registration form that can be
obtained either by mail or from the
Internet 1 (see Figure 3). When the
completed registration is returned to the
agency, it is then submitted to the CRS
manufacturers. In the absence of a
substitute registration system, many
owners of child passenger safety seats,
especially any second-hand owners,
might not be notified of safety defects
and noncompliances, and would not
have the defects and noncompliances
remedied.
Child seat owner registration
information is retained in the event that
owners need to be contacted for defect
recalls or replacement campaigns.
Chapter 301 of title 49 of the United
States Code specifies that if either
NHTSA or a manufacturer determines
that motor vehicles or items of motor
vehicle equipment contain a defect that
relates to motor vehicle safety or fail to
comply with an applicable Federal
motor vehicle safety standard, the
manufacturer must notify owners and
purchasers of the defect or
noncompliance and must provide a
remedy without charge. In title 49 of the
CFR, part 577, defect and
noncompliance notification for
equipment items, including child
restraint systems, must be sent by first
class mail to the most recent purchaser
known to the manufacturer.
Child restraint manufacturers are also
required to provide a printed
instructions brochure with step-by-step
information on how the restraint is to be
used. Without proper use, the
effectiveness of these systems is greatly
diminished. Each child restraint system
must also have a permanent label. A
permanently attached label gives
‘‘quicklook’’ information on whether the
restraint meets the safety requirements,
recommended installation and use, and
warnings against misuse.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Estimated Total Annual Burden:
39,247 hours.
1 https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/
recalls/register/childseat/csregfrm.pdf.
E:\FR\FM\16JNN1.SGM
16JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 116 (Thursday, June 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35264-35266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-14892]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[U.S. DOT Docket No. FHWA-2011-0058]
Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments
for a New Information Collection, Titled: Reports, Forms and
Recordkeeping Requirements
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to
request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new
information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION. We published a Federal Register Notice with a 60-day
public comment period on this information collection on February 26,
2009. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
DATES: Please submit comments by July 18, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket ID Number FHWA-
2009-0054 by any of the following methods:
Web Site: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting
comments.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of Transportation, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ray Krammes, Ph.D, PE, Acting
Director, Office of Safety Research and Development, HRDS-07, Turner-
[[Page 35265]]
Fairbank Highway Research Center, Federal Highway Administration, 6300
Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101, tel. 202-493-3365 between 8 a.m. and
5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, or Paul J.
Tremont, Ph.D. (same address) at 202-493-3338.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Reports, Forms and Recordkeeping Requirements.
The FHWA invites public comments on our intention to request the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a total of 30 field
and laboratory research studies that will include collections of
information from the general public. These studies will be conducted
over a period not to exceed 3 years with an annual burden of
approximately 2000 hours and a grand total burden of approximately 6000
hours. These collections are integral to the performance of various
analytical, field, and laboratory human factors research projects that
FHWA intends to conduct in support of its mission of improving safety
and increasing mobility on our Nation's highways through National
Leadership, Innovation, and Program Delivery. The laboratory and field
research FHWA conducts usually involves observations of driver behavior
in controlled experimental settings. In the field and laboratory, these
studies are non-intrusive, as most data are driver performance data and
are automatically acquired.
Research Areas and Associated Collections
The FHWA Office of Safety Research and Development intends to
conduct analytical, field, and laboratory research projects focused on
highway safety that will require acquisition of human performance data
from small samples of the driving public. This research is directed at
human factors issues within the following broad program areas: (A)
Infrastructure design including innovative intersection configurations
and signage and roadway markings; (B) highway operations; (C) older and
younger driver issues; and (D) pedestrian and bicyclist concerns. Given
that the focus of the research in the above areas is on human factors
issues, it will require that data be collected on a few key demographic
variables such as age, gender, and driving experience, however such
data will not be linked to personal identifying information. Before any
study is conducted under this approval request, a thorough review will
be undertaken to ensure such data is not currently available, and that
the proposed study does not duplicate other work.
Situations That Require Collections of Information--Examples From Each
Category
Category A (Infrastructure Design). An example from Category A
would be a study designed to test an innovative intersection design
such as a Double Crossover Diamond Interchange (DCD). This is a highly
efficient intersection design, but if not properly implemented, it
could potentially cause confusion. In a DCD, drivers cross over to the
left side of the highway, with the result that opposing traffic is
placed on their right side. When testing DCD implementations, FHWA
needs to know whether drivers perceive any ambiguity in the signage,
and if they have any orientation problems seeing opposing traffic on
their right side. Other innovative intersection designs would also
benefit from similar information acquired from drivers. Roadway
departure is another problem area that could benefit from individual
driver data. For example, it would be helpful to observe drivers'
interactions with roadway geometry and signage so that such information
can be applied to design decisions that can lead to reductions in
roadway departures.
Category B (Highway Operations). One of the many challenges
confronting highway engineers is designing a signal system that
maximizes throughput and minimizes delay. Excess delay can have the
unintended consequence of encouraging drivers to run red lights. This
problem can be examined by observing drivers' behavior under differing
signaling conditions. However, direct verbal reports of drivers are
often needed to determine why drivers are making their decisions. For
example FHWA may learn from questioning drivers that they would be less
likely to speed up when approaching a signal if they knew the signal
system would recognize this behavior and respond accordingly. One way
this might happen is by advising the motorist earlier of the impending
signal change. Driver interviews performed under this study area can
provide information on many key issues including behavioral adaptation,
decision making, and reaction times to signal phases and changes. This
kind of information could lead to improvements to signal controllers
that increase mobility and improve safety. Speed management is another
area that could benefit from interview data. For example, lower speed
limits in construction zones are difficult to enforce, and interview
data with drivers can provide information on better methods of
restraining driver speeds in these hazardous situations.
Category C (Older and Younger Drivers). The driving behaviors of
these two high risk groups are of interest for almost all FHWA safety
related studies. For example, older driver's performance as they
negotiate new designs informs the engineer of those aspects of the
design that present potential safety problems, and may be in need of
modification. In contrast, young drivers present a separate set of
challenges for highway engineers. Their ability to negotiate a new
design may be less of a concern, however; it is necessary to understand
how these drivers perform as they drive through these new designs. This
is important as some younger drivers may be willing to take extra risks
in situations where ambiguity exists. Such information from younger
drivers will help engineers determine areas of potential ambiguity in
design and modify these areas as necessary to ensure they are not
introducing safety hazards.
Category D (Pedestrians and Bicyclists). Research related to
pedestrians and bicyclists arises from the need to determine the most
effective ways to accommodate these infrastructure users. While overt
pedestrian and bicyclist behavior needs to be directly observed to
enable engineers to determine potential safety hazards to these user
groups. For example, when a new intersection design is being introduced
(e.g., a triple lane roundabout) it is especially advantageous to
acquire data that shows how pedestrians and bicyclists negotiate such a
new design. The needs of disabled pedestrians are also considered when
researching new intersection treatments, and in these efforts FHWA
works closely with the U.S. Access Board to ensure that novel
intersection treatments accommodate their needs. Another example of
research in this area is determining bicyclists' reactions to such
treatments as separately marked bicycle lanes, signage, and overall
roadway configuration.
Description of How Field and Laboratory Study Participants Will Be
Acquired
Participants for research studies will be acquired by advertisement
in local papers, by the distribution of flyers, or by postings to the
internet. Typically, interested parties contact FHWA and they are asked
a few questions to determine whether they qualify for the study. These
questions involve such issues as age, driver familiarity with the
location or scenario being used, number of miles driven per year, and
gender.
[[Page 35266]]
Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
Resulting From These Information Collections and Requests for Comments
Experimental Participants: Approximately 6,000 roadway users drawn
form the general driving population.
Frequency: This approval request is for 30 studies over a 3 year
period.
Estimated Average Burden per Respondent: FHWA estimates data
acquisition from persons participating in research will require on
average about 1 hour per person.
Estimated Total and Annual Burden Hours: Assuming 20 studies will
be Laboratory based (Simulator), and 10 will be Field based (Field
Research Vehicle), the burden is calculated as follows:
Laboratory Experiments: 20 Simulator * 210 participants * 1 hour =
4200
Field Experiments: 10 studies * 180 participants * 1 hour = 1800
hours
Estimated Total Burden Hours: = 6000 hours
Estimated Annual Burden Hours (over 3 years) = 2000 hours.
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of
these information collections, including: (1) Whether the proposed
collections are necessary for FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of
the estimated burden; (3) ways for FHWA to enhance the quality,
usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that
the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic
technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information.
FHWA will respond to your comments and summarize or include them when
requesting clearance from OMB for these information data collections.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on June 10, 2011.
Michael Howell,
Acting Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 2011-14892 Filed 6-15-11; 8:45 am]
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