Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection, 38707-38708 [2012-15921]

Download as PDF srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2012 / Notices 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: Michael Nesbitt (michael.nesbitt@dot.gov), 202–366– 1179 Office of Infrastructure, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Engage@FHWA: Challenges, Competitions, and Contest Activities. Background: This request is to seek generic clearance for the collection of routine information requested of responders to solicitations the Federal government makes during the issuance of challenges and competitions posted on the General Service Administration (GSA)’s Challenge.gov Web site and similar Web sites hosted by third-party vendors. Challenge competitions are increasingly being used by Federal agencies to solve complex problems and obtain innovative solutions. In this role, the Federal government places a description of a problem and parameters of the solution on the Web sites like Challenge.gov. The solutions are evaluated by the submitting agency and typically prizes (monetary and nonmonetary) are awarded to the winning entries. This clearance applies to challenges posted on Web sites like Challenge.gov which use common platforms for the solicitation of challenges from the public. FHWA program offices design the criteria for its solicitations based on the goals of the challenge and the specific needs of the agency and program office. There is no standard submission format for solution providers to follow. We anticipate that approximately 20 challenges would be issued each year by FHWA, with an average of 30 submissions to each challenge solicitation. There is no set schedule for the issuance of challenges; they are developed and issued on an ‘‘as needed’’ basis in response to issues that the federal agency wishes to solve. Although in recent memoranda the GSA and OMB described circumstances whereby OMB approval of a PRA request is not needed, program officials at FHWA have identified several sets of VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:35 Jun 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 information that will typically need to be requested of solution providers to enable the solutions to be adequately evaluated by the FHWA program office issuing the challenge. It has been indicated that these requests for additional information require a PRA review, as they represent structured data requests. There are four types of additional data that will be routinely requested by FHWA and its program offices. These include the following: Title of the Submission Due to the nature of the submission and evaluation processes, it is important that a title be requested and submitted for each submission in order to ensure the solution is correctly identified with its provider. Identification of Data Resources 38707 Estimated total number of potential respondents: 600. Estimated total number of potential responses per respondent: 1. Frequency of response: Annually. Estimated average burden (in minutes) per response: 10 minutes. Estimated total annual burden hours: 100 hours. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for the 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 computer 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. In many cases, the solution to a problem will require the solution provider to use data resources. Often, the nature of the data sets will be derived from Federal data resources, such as data.gov. Evaluations of solutions will often depend on the understanding of the selection of the data resource(s) used in the solution. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Description of Methodology [FR Doc. 2012–15920 Filed 6–27–12; 8:45 am] For effective judging and evaluation, a description of the development methods for the solution to the challenge will be requested. For instance, a prize may be awarded to the solution of a challenge to develop an algorithm that enables reliable prediction of a certain event. A responder could submit the correct algorithm, but without the methodology, the evaluation process could not be adequately performed. BILLING CODE P Profession, Field of Study, Student Status (Including Major, Expected Graduation Year), and/or Business/ Organization Status (Nonprofit, Government, Small-Business, ForProfit, etc.) In order to better refine how FHWA markets the challenge, FHWA needs data on which professional fields and student majors are participating. This data is also needed to structure competitions, challenges, and contests that require categorical submissions (students, small-business, corporation, individual, etc.) Categorical submissions may be used when it is needed to award prizes in categories; and therefore, judge submissions by categories (i.e. student submissions compared to students). The estimated annual burden request is summarized here: PO 00000 Frm 00139 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Issued on: June 22, 2012. Steven Smith, Chief, Information Technology Division. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration [Docket No. FHWA–2012–0063] Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: 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 are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. DATES: Please submit comments by August 27, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID 2012–0063 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:// SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1 srobinson on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 38708 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 125 / Thursday, June 28, 2012 / Notices 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: James A. Cheatham, james.cheatham@dot.gov, 202–366– 6221, Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty, Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590. Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: Assessment of Transportation Planning Agency Needs, Capabilities, and Capacity. Background: FHWA will collect information on the current state of the practice, data, methods, and systems used by state, metropolitan, regional, local, and tribal transportation planning entities to support their required planning process in accordance with Title 23 United States Code 134 and 135. This includes, but is not limited to, information to support transportation research, capacity building, data collection, planning, travel modeling, and performance management. This also includes information about how data is shared between planning agencies and how it is processed and used in the planning context. Questionnaires will be sent to State DOT headquarters and districts, Metropolitan Planning, Organizations, Regional Planning Organizations, and Tribal Governments. FHWA anticipates that one representative from each agency will take approximately 30 minutes to complete up to 4 questionnaires each year. The questionnaires will be administered via the Internet and invitations to participate in the questionnaire will be distributed via email. This information, once compiled, will allow the FHWA to better understand the existing capabilities that agencies across the country have in support of the planning process and the readiness they possess to handle new and ongoing challenges. As a result of the collected information, FHWA will focus its efforts VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:35 Jun 27, 2012 Jkt 226001 and resources on providing targeted and meaningful support for planning and readiness nationwide. Additionally, FHWA will ensure that excellent planning practices are identified will be shared broadly across the country. Respondents: Respondents are representatives of State DOT headquarters and districts, Metropolitan Planning, Organizations, Regional Planning Organizations, and Tribal Governments. Respondents: 950 respondents annually. Frequency: 4 per year for 3 years. Estimated Average Burden per Response: Approximately 30 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Up to 1,900 hours annually. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed collection is necessary for the FHWA’s performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for the 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 computer 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. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48. Issued on: June 22, 2012. Steven Smith, Chief, Information Technology Division. [FR Doc. 2012–15921 Filed 6–27–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–22–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Environmental Impact Statement: Ouachita Parish, LA Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement will be prepared for a proposed bridge and highway project in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Carl M. Highsmith, Project Delivery Team Leader, Louisiana Division, Federal Highway Administration, 5304 Flanders Drive, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 Telephone: 225.757.7615. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00140 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in cooperation with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on a proposal to construct the LA 143—US 165 Connector and Ouachita River Bridge in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. The proposed project consists of a 1.8mile highway north of the corporate limits of West Monroe connecting Louisiana Highway 143 (LA 143) to a new bridge crossing of the Ouachita River, and a 3.7-mile highway north of the Monroe city limits connecting the new bridge to U.S. Highway 165 (US 165). The southern connection intersects with US 165 at the Forsythe Avenue Extension and the future Kansas Lane Connector. The northern connection intersects with US 165 at Fink’s Hideaway Road. The LA 143—US 165 Connector and Ouachita River Bridge project is designed to reduce traffic congestion on existing Ouachita River bridge crossings north of Interstate 20, link rural transportation facilities, and provide a segment of independent utility for a future, complete roadway loop around the cities of Monroe and West Monroe in an effort to move people and goods more efficiently across the Ouachita River and within rural portions of Ouachita Parish. The bridge location and new highway alignments were developed in the Stage 0 Feasibility Report prepared in July 2008 and supported by the Ouachita Council of Governments Monroe Urbanized Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2035 Study. Two build alternatives proposed in the Stage 0 Report, along with the No Build alternative, will be evaluated in the EIS. An additional build alternative may also be developed for evaluation in the EIS depending upon social, economic, and environmental considerations made known through formal scoping meetings that will be held upon initiation of the project. Incorporated into and studied with the various build alternatives will be design variations of grade and alignment and a Level I Toll Study. Letters describing the proposed action and soliciting comments will be sent to the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies and to private organizations and citizens who have previously expressed or are known to have an interest in this proposal. Federal agencies with jurisdiction by law with regard to social, economic, and environmental impacts of this proposal will be requested to be a Cooperating Agency in this matter in accordance SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\28JNN1.SGM 28JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38707-38708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15921]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2012-0063]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments 
for a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: 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 are required to publish this notice in the Federal 
Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Please submit comments by August 27, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID 2012-
0063 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://

[[Page 38708]]

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: James A. Cheatham, 
james.cheatham@dot.gov, 202-366-6221, Office of Planning, Environment, 
and Realty, Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590. 
Office hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Assessment of Transportation Planning Agency Needs, 
Capabilities, and Capacity.
    Background: FHWA will collect information on the current state of 
the practice, data, methods, and systems used by state, metropolitan, 
regional, local, and tribal transportation planning entities to support 
their required planning process in accordance with Title 23 United 
States Code 134 and 135. This includes, but is not limited to, 
information to support transportation research, capacity building, data 
collection, planning, travel modeling, and performance management. This 
also includes information about how data is shared between planning 
agencies and how it is processed and used in the planning context. 
Questionnaires will be sent to State DOT headquarters and districts, 
Metropolitan Planning, Organizations, Regional Planning Organizations, 
and Tribal Governments. FHWA anticipates that one representative from 
each agency will take approximately 30 minutes to complete up to 4 
questionnaires each year. The questionnaires will be administered via 
the Internet and invitations to participate in the questionnaire will 
be distributed via email.
    This information, once compiled, will allow the FHWA to better 
understand the existing capabilities that agencies across the country 
have in support of the planning process and the readiness they possess 
to handle new and ongoing challenges. As a result of the collected 
information, FHWA will focus its efforts and resources on providing 
targeted and meaningful support for planning and readiness nationwide. 
Additionally, FHWA will ensure that excellent planning practices are 
identified will be shared broadly across the country.
    Respondents: Respondents are representatives of State DOT 
headquarters and districts, Metropolitan Planning, Organizations, 
Regional Planning Organizations, and Tribal Governments.
    Respondents: 950 respondents annually.
    Frequency: 4 per year for 3 years.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: Approximately 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Up to 1,900 hours annually.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of 
the estimated burden; (3) ways for the 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 computer 
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.

    Authority:  The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: June 22, 2012.
Steven Smith,
Chief, Information Technology Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-15921 Filed 6-27-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P

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