Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network Data Collection, 85725-85728 [2023-27006]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2023 / Notices
unable to differentiate the light output
between different sources when the
difference in illumination was less than
25 percent. Ford contends that the 1994
study indicated that the findings were
appropriate for consideration of
inconsequentiality petitions involving a
noncompliance with the photometry
requirements of FMVSS No. 108.
Ford notes that it is not aware of any
reports related to the subject
noncompliance. Ford recognizes that a
lack of reports is not dispositive but
believes that it is illustrative of the field
performance.3
Ford says that NHTSA has granted
prior petitions concerning similar
noncompliances. Ford believes that
NHTSA’s rationale for those decisions
support the granting of its current
petition.
Ford says that NHTSA granted a
petition submitted by Nissan North
America, Inc. (Nissan)4 that involved
vehicles with side marker lamps in
combination head lamps that did not
meet the photometric intensity
requirements as required by paragraph
S7.4.13.1 of FMVSS No. 108. Ford
explains that Nissan’s petition
presented two main arguments: (1)
NHTSA should consider the parking
lamp photometry along with the side
marker lamp because both lamps are
always illuminated, and (2) the
condition that caused the
noncompliance could not be seen by the
human eye. In this case, Ford says that
NHTSA agreed with Nissan’s second
argument but rejected the first. Ford
says that NHTSA disagreed with
Nissan’s first argument because Nissan’s
parking lamp illumination was white
and the side marker lamp was amber
which would cause a passing motorist
to have difficulty determining what part
of the vehicle is approaching. Ford
contends that this reasoning does not
apply to the subject noncompliance
because both Ford’s parking lamp and
side marker lamp are amber. Thus,
according to Ford, a passing motorist
would not encounter the same difficulty
in determining which part of the vehicle
is approaching.
Ford says it also reviewed petitions
involving a noncompliance with the
side reflex reflector and not the side
marker lamp. While the petitions do not
concern the side marker lamp, Ford
believes that NHTSA’s rationale in those
decisions can be informative. Ford
explains that the side reflex reflectors
3 See North America Subaru, Inc., Denial of
Petition for Decision of Inconsequential
Noncompliance; 87 FR 48764, August 10, 2022.
4 Nissan North America, Inc., Grant of Petition for
Determination of Inconsequential Noncompliance;
85 FR 39678 (July 1, 2020).
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reflect other light and do not illuminate.
Ford says that NHTSA has consistently
found that a 25 percent change in
luminosity is imperceptible to the
human eye. Specifically, Ford refers to
NHTSA’s decision on a petition
submitted by Subaru of America
(Subaru) 5 that involved failures of
luminous intensity on the side reflex
reflector and a Hella petition. In that
case, Ford explains that the
noncompliant lamps were all less than
20 percent of the minimum values.
NHTSA granted Subaru’s petition and
applied the reasoning that the human
eye cannot detect a 25 percent change
in luminosity.
Ford also cites NHTSA’s decision on
a petition from Toyota Motor North
America (Toyota) 6 in which vehicles
were equipped with rear reflex
reflectors that did not meet the
minimum requirements specified in
FMVSS No. 108. Ford says Toyota
believed that noncompliance was
inconsequential because a change of
luminous intensity of 18 percent is
imperceptible to the human eye.
NHTSA concurred, relying on its own
assessment and past precedent stated in
the 1991 Hella and Subaru grants of
inconsequentiality.
Next, Ford says that NHTSA’s
rationale in denying a petition
submitted by FCA US LLC (FCA) 7
supports its belief that the subject
noncompliance should be deemed
inconsequential. Ford explains that
FCA’s petition concerned side reflex
reflectors that did not meet the
minimum photometry requirements at
the observation angle of 0.2 degrees. In
that petition, FCA’s reflex reflectors
were 68.6 percent below the required
value. Ford says that the subject side
marker lamps ‘‘maintained much closer
margins to the standard.’’
Finally, Ford refers to a Subaru
petition that NHTSA denied in 2022
that involved side reflex reflectors that
did not comply with FMVSS No. 108
photometry requirements.8 In that case,
Ford says NHTSA stated that its
thinking on the deviation threshold of
25 percent evolved, and that it no longer
believes that threshold applies to side
5 Subaru
of America, Grant of Petition for
Determination of Inconsequential Noncompliance;
56 FR 59971, (November 26, 1991).
6 Toyota Motor North America, Inc., Grant of
Petition for Decision of Inconsequential
Noncompliance; 85 FR 39679 (July 1, 2020).
7 FCA US, LLC, Denial of Petition for Decision of
Inconsequential Noncompliance; 87 FR 57649
(September 15, 2022).
8 Ford did not provide the Federal Register
citation but it appears that this refers to North
America Subaru, Inc., Denial of Petition for
Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance; 87 FR
48764 (August 10, 2022).
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85725
reflex reflectors because the photometry
criteria for side reflex reflectors are
measured in mcd/lux, whereas other
lamps are measured in candela. Ford
contends that this new thinking should
not apply to the subject noncompliance
because side marker lamps produce
their own illumination and are therefore
measured in candela.
Ford concludes by stating its belief
that the subject noncompliance is
inconsequential as it relates to motor
vehicle safety and its petition to be
exempted from providing notification of
the noncompliance, as required by 49
U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the
noncompliance, as required by 49
U.S.C. 30120, should be granted.
NHTSA notes that the statutory
provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to
file petitions for a determination of
inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to
exempt manufacturers only from the
duties found in sections 30118 and
30120, respectively, to notify owners,
purchasers, and dealers of a defect or
noncompliance and to remedy the
defect or noncompliance. Therefore, any
decision on this petition only applies to
the subject vehicles that Ford no longer
controlled at the time it determined that
the noncompliance existed. However,
any decision on this petition does not
relieve vehicles distributors and dealers
of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for
sale, or introduction or delivery for
introduction into interstate commerce of
the noncompliant vehicles under their
control after Ford notified them that the
subject noncompliance existed.
(Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120:
delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and
501.8)
Otto G. Matheke, III,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2023–26960 Filed 12–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2023–0065]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Crash Injury Research and
Engineering Network Data Collection
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for
comments on a request for approval of
a new information collection.
AGENCY:
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85726
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2023 / Notices
The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) invites
public comments about our intention to
request approval from the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for a
new information collection. Before a
Federal agency can collect certain
information from the public, it must
receive approval from OMB. Under
procedures established by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before seeking OMB approval, Federal
agencies must solicit public comment
on proposed collections of information,
including extensions and reinstatement
of previously approved collections. This
document describes NHTSA’s Crash
Injury Research and Engineering
Network (CIREN) investigation-based
crash data study for which it is seeking
OMB approval.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on
or before February 6, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by the Docket No. NHTSA–
2023–0065 through any of the following
methods:
• Electronic submissions: Go to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://
www.regulations.gov . Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
Management, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12–
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To
be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 366–9322 before
coming.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number for this notice. Note that all
comments received will be posted
without change to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please
see the Privacy Act heading below.
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 (65 FR
19477–78) or you may visit https://
www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online
instructions for accessing the dockets
via internet.
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SUMMARY:
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For
additional information or access to
background documents, contact Rodney
Rudd, Office of Vehicle Safety Research,
Human Injury Research Division (NSR–
220), West Building, W46–324, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency
submits a proposed collection of
information to OMB for approval, it
must first publish a document in the
Federal Register providing a 60-day
comment period and otherwise consult
with members of the public and affected
agencies concerning each proposed
collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing
what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB’s regulation (at
5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask
for public comment on the following: (a)
whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper
performance of the functions of the
agency, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection
of information, including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used;
(c) how to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) how to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on those who are to respond, including
the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g. permitting electronic submission of
responses. In compliance with these
requirements, NHTSA asks for public
comments on the following proposed
collection of information for which the
agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Crash Injury Research and
Engineering Network (CIREN) Data
Collection.
OMB Control Number: New.
Form Number(s): TBD.
Type of Request: Request for approval
of a new information collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of
Approval: Three years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of
Information:
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) is seeking
approval from OMB of this information
collection request (ICR) for a new,
independent information collection for
an investigation-based crash data
acquisition system which was
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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previously included under OMB Control
Number 2127–0706. NHTSA proposes
to collect information from the public as
part of a study to improve NHTSA’s
understanding of injury causation in
motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA is
authorized, under 49 U.S.C. 30182 and
23 U.S.C. 403 to collect data on motor
vehicle traffic crashes to aid in the
identification of issues and the
development, implementation, and
evaluation of motor vehicle and
highway safety countermeasures. For
decades, NHTSA has been investigating
crashes and collecting crash data
through its investigation-based data
collection systems. The Crash Injury
Research and Engineering Network
(CIREN) is a multidisciplinary, injuryfocused crash data collection program
using trauma centers under contract to
NHTSA’s Office of Vehicle Safety
Research. NHTSA also investigates
crashes through the Crash Investigation
Sampling System (CISS), Special Crash
Investigation (SCI), and specific issuebased Special Study data collection
studies. Although each of these systems
satisfy different purposes and collect
data in different manners, they all
utilize similar core data elements,
procedures, information technology,
and protocols for data collection.1
NHTSA is seeking approval for a new,
independent information collection
request for the CIREN program separate
from NHTSA’s other investigation-based
crash data collection systems. The
method of case subject identification
and selection is unique for CIREN.
CIREN collects a purposive sample of
injured traffic crash victims from a
small number of sites to extensively
examine and document injury causation
in motor vehicle crashes. The CIREN
program enrolls case subjects (crash
victims) who have been admitted to
eight contracted level-one trauma
centers for treatment of injuries
sustained in crashes and consent to
participate in the study. The collection
facilitates detailed review and analysis
of medical and engineering data by
multidisciplinary teams to evaluate
injury causation. The focus of the
CIREN program has historically been on
seriously-injured occupants of recent
model-year motor vehicles, though the
program intends to expand to include
pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and
micromobility (non-motorist) users who
have been injured in crashes.
Study personnel at each of the eight
contracted CIREN sites review trauma
1 Additional details about the CISS, SCI, and
Special Study data collections are available in the
supporting statements for the ICR with OMB
Control Number 2127–0706.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2023 / Notices
registry data to identify potential case
subjects based on the study’s inclusion
criteria. Study teams obtain informed
consent from eligible patients according
to institutional policies and consent
documents. No data is collected from
eligible patients who do not provide
consent to participate in the study.
Participation in CIREN does not affect
the case subject’s medical treatment.
Observations from the CIREN program
inform NHTSA research priorities and
the data support improvements in motor
vehicle safety. CIREN provides nonprivate data to the public through an
online case viewer, database files, and
reports.
After an eligible patient provides
consent, study personnel retrieve the
case subject’s medical information and
commence the crash investigation.
Study personnel retrieve the medical
information directly from the hospital’s
electronic medical record (EMR) system
including case subject anthropometry,
past medical history, radiological
imaging and reports, operative
procedure reports, and injury diagnoses.
They also request emergency medical
services (EMS) response reports from
first responders. Study personnel also
conduct an interview with the case
subject (or a surrogate in cases where
the case subject is unable to
communicate) to develop an
understanding about the crash
circumstances. A trained crash
investigator locates, visits, measures,
and photographs the crash scene and
the case subject’s vehicle (or the striking
vehicle for non-motorist case subjects).
They also obtain the police crash report.
These data are used to characterize the
performance of vehicle safety systems
and biomechanical responses of injured
individuals in motor vehicle crashes.
Description of the Need for the
Information and Proposed Use of the
Information: NHTSA investigates realworld crashes and collects detailed
crash and medical data in the CIREN
program to identify human and vehicle
factors related to injury causation in
support of NHTSA research.
Biomechanical engineers and medical
doctors collaboratively review case
evidence to establish injury causation
scenarios. These detailed factors and
scenarios inform research priorities.
They may also guide the development
and evaluation of effective safety
countermeasures such as testing tools
and criteria. The data collected also act
as a sentinel, providing NHTSA with
advanced notice of emerging crash
injury problems, and are used to
generate research hypotheses. These
efforts give motor vehicle researchers an
opportunity to specify areas in which
improvements may be possible, design
countermeasure programs, and evaluate
the effects of existing and proposed
safety measures. The resulting
deidentified database provides NHTSA
and the public with access to crash data
which contains extensive medical
detail, including medical imaging,
which is a unique resource among
available crash data systems. There is no
other source for the biomechanicsfocused data which is critical to support
crash injury mitigation and prevention
research.
Affected Public: People involved in
select motor vehicle crashes admitted to
contracted trauma centers for treatment;
law enforcement jurisdictions that
provide access to and a copy of crash
reports from the investigated crashes;
EMS providers responding to
investigated crashes, and tow or salvage
facilities that provide access for
inspections of involved vehicles.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
1,136.
Study personnel screen trauma
records for potentially eligible case
subjects, and then approach potential
case subjects to gain consent. It is
estimated that 362 potential case
subjects are approached for consent
each year. Of those, an average of 258
provide consent and participate in the
interview process. For each of the 258
consented case subjects, study
personnel contact the police, EMS
agencies, and a tow facility for report
documentation and to coordinate the
vehicle inspection. The combination of
patients (362) and associated contacts (3
× 258) yields 1,136 total respondents
each year, on average.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 499 hours.
The CIREN program consists of four
(4) information collections. The first
information collection covers the
consent process for individuals
involved in crashes who are deemed
potentially eligible for the study at
contracted trauma centers. Based on
historical data, approximately 362
potential case subjects are approached
Potential case subject consent ................................................................
Case subject interview ............................................................................
Police report requests .............................................................................
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Number of
responses
(per respondent)
Number of
respondents
Information collection
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362
258
258
I
Fmt 4703
I
Sfmt 4703
362 (1)
258 (1)
258 (1)
85727
for study consent each year. The
consent process generally requires thirty
(30) minutes of the respondent’s time
during their acute hospital admission,
which includes explanation of the study
risks and benefits and review of consent
language. This burden would apply for
every patient approached for consent,
regardless of their decision to
participate in the study. The estimated
total annual burden hours for seeking
study consent from eligible case subjects
is 181 hours (362 respondents × 0.5
hours).
The second information collection is
from individuals who agree to
participate in the study. After providing
consent, CIREN contractor personnel
conduct an interview that requires
approximately one hour of the
respondent’s time during their acute
hospital admission. The CIREN program
has historically conducted interviews of
approximately 258 case subjects per
year. Therefore, the estimated total
annual burden for case subject
interviews is 258 hours (258
respondents × 1.0 hour).
The third information collection for
CIREN is obtaining first responder
reports to complete the cases. The
reports are obtained from police and
EMS agencies, and reports are only
requested for crash subjects who have
consented to participate in the study.
NHTSA estimates each query to police
agencies takes three (3) minutes (0.05
hours) and each query to EMS agencies
takes six (6) minutes (0.1 hours).
Therefore, the total estimated annual
burden for crash and EMS reports is 39
hours (258 requests × (0.05 hours + 0.1
hours)).
The fourth information collection for
CIREN is associated with towing and
salvage facility requests for access to
case vehicles. Typically, a towing or
salvage facility operator will provide the
crash investigator permission to enter
the facility to inspect the case-involved
vehicle as well as provide guidance
regarding the location of the vehicle.
This process is estimated to take
approximately five (5) minutes (0.08
hours) of staff time. CIREN averages 258
visits to towing and salvage facilities
each year since most CIREN cases
involve inspection of one case vehicle.
The total annual burden for towing and
salvage facilities is 21 hours (258
requests × 0.083 hours).
Burden per
response
Burden per
respondent
30 minutes .........
1.0 hours ...........
3 minutes ...........
30 minutes .........
1.0 hours ...........
3 minutes ...........
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08DEN1
Total burden
(hours)
181
258
13
85728
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 235 / Friday, December 8, 2023 / Notices
Number of
respondents
Information collection
Burden per
response
Burden per
respondent
Total burden
(hours)
EMS report requests ...............................................................................
Access to towing/salvage facility .............................................................
258
258
258 (1)
258 (1)
6 minutes ...........
5 minutes ...........
6 minutes ...........
5 minutes ...........
26
21
Total ..................................................................................................
........................
..............................
...........................
...........................
499
Accordingly, NHTSA estimates that
the total burden associated with the
CIREN program is 499 hours (181 + 258
+ 39 + 21).
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost:
$0.
There are no capital, start-up, or
annual operation and maintenance costs
involved in this collection of
information. The respondents would not
incur any reporting costs from the
information collection beyond the
opportunity or labor costs associated
with the burden hours. The respondents
also would not incur any recordkeeping
burden or recordkeeping costs from the
information collection. Therefore,
NHTSA estimates that there will be no
annual burden cost to respondents.
Public Comments Invited: You are
asked to comment on any aspects of this
information collection, including (a)
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;
(b) the accuracy of the Department’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity
of the information to be collected; and
(d) 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.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as
amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order
1351.29A.
Cem Hatipoglu,
Associate Administrator, Office of Vehicle
Safety Research.
[FR Doc. 2023–27006 Filed 12–7–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–59–P
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Number of
responses
(per respondent)
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA–2023–0116]
Pipeline Safety: Random Drug Testing
Rate; Multi-Factor Authentication; and
Operator and Contractor Management
Information System Reporting
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Calendar Year 2024
Minimum Annual Percentage Rate for
Random Drug Testing; Multi-Factor
Authentication (MFA) for Drug and
Alcohol (D&A) Management Information
System (DAMIS) Reports, Pipeline
Operator DAMIS Reporting, and
Contractor DAMIS Reporting.
AGENCY:
PHMSA has determined that
the minimum random drug testing rate
for covered employees will remain at 25
percent during calendar year 2024. For
calendar year 2023 reporting, DOT is
introducing MFA login procedures for
submitting D&A testing data into the
DAMIS database. This notice also
explains how pipeline operators and
contractors will obtain MFA login
information.
DATES: Applicable January 1, 2024,
through December 31, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wayne Lemoi, Drug & Alcohol Program
Manager, Office of Pipeline Safety, by
phone at 909–937–7232 or by email at
wayne.lemoi@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Notice of Calendar Year 2024 Minimum
Annual Percentage Rate for Random
Drug Testing
Operators of gas, hazardous liquid,
and carbon dioxide pipeline facilities;
liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants; and
underground natural gas storage
facilities must randomly select and test
a percentage of all covered employees
for prohibited drug use in accordance
with 49 Code of Federal Regulations
part 199. Pursuant to 49 CFR
199.105(c)(1), the minimum annual
random drug testing rate for all covered
employees is 50 percent. However, the
Administrator can adjust this random
drug testing rate based on the reported
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positive rate in the industry’s random
drug tests, which is submitted in
operators’ annual MIS reports as
required by § 199.119(a). In accordance
with § 199.105(c)(3), if the reported
positive drug test rate is below 1.0
percent for two consecutive calendar
years, the Administrator can lower the
random drug testing rate to 25 percent
of all covered employees.
Pursuant to § 199.105(c)(3), the
Administrator is maintaining the
PHMSA minimum annual random drug
testing rate for all covered employees at
25 percent in calendar year 2024
because the random drug test positive
rate for the pipeline industry was
reported at less than 1.0 percent in the
consecutive calendar years of 2021 and
2022.
Multi-Factor Authentication for DAMIS
Reports
In calendar year 2024, DOT will begin
using Multi-Factor Authentication
(MFA) to limit and control access to
DOT’s DAMIS database. MFA is not
unique to PHMSA or to DAMIS. It is a
Federal Government initiative being
implemented to protect the integrity and
security of Federal Government
databases from cybersecurity attacks
and other risks. MFA login procedures
for ‘‘primary pipeline’’ operators and
contractors are explained in the
applicable sections below.
Pipeline Operator DAMIS Reporting
To collect more accurate pipeline
industry DOT D&A test data and to
avoid duplicate reporting of D&A test
data, PHMSA is limiting the DAMIS
reporting to ‘‘primary operators’’ and
contractors only. The term ‘‘primary
operator’’ is not used in the D&A testing
regulations in part 199; however, the
term ‘‘primary operator’’ as used herein
has the same meaning as the term
‘‘primary entity’’ as used in § 191.22 and
§ 195.64. Moreover, a ‘‘primary
operator’’ can be a large or small
operator as explained below.
Pipeline operators either have a D&A
program that includes only one pipeline
operator (i.e., one OPID) or an
‘‘umbrella’’ type shared D&A program
that includes multiple pipeline
operators (i.e., more than one OPID). For
DAMIS reporting purposes the operator
of the single operator D&A program is
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85725-85728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27006]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2023-0065]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network Data Collection
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a request for approval of a
new information collection.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 85726]]
SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
invites public comments about our intention to request approval from
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information
collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information
from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures
established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB
approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed
collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of
previously approved collections. This document describes NHTSA's Crash
Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) investigation-based
crash data study for which it is seeking OMB approval.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2023-0065 through any of the following methods:
Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov . Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change to https://www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
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 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact Rodney Rudd, Office of Vehicle Safety
Research, Human Injury Research Division (NSR-220), West Building, W46-
324, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must
ask for public comment on the following: (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) how to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology, e.g. permitting electronic
submission of responses. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA
asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of
information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) Data
Collection.
OMB Control Number: New.
Form Number(s): TBD.
Type of Request: Request for approval of a new information
collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is
seeking approval from OMB of this information collection request (ICR)
for a new, independent information collection for an investigation-
based crash data acquisition system which was previously included under
OMB Control Number 2127-0706. NHTSA proposes to collect information
from the public as part of a study to improve NHTSA's understanding of
injury causation in motor vehicle crashes. NHTSA is authorized, under
49 U.S.C. 30182 and 23 U.S.C. 403 to collect data on motor vehicle
traffic crashes to aid in the identification of issues and the
development, implementation, and evaluation of motor vehicle and
highway safety countermeasures. For decades, NHTSA has been
investigating crashes and collecting crash data through its
investigation-based data collection systems. The Crash Injury Research
and Engineering Network (CIREN) is a multidisciplinary, injury-focused
crash data collection program using trauma centers under contract to
NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Research. NHTSA also investigates
crashes through the Crash Investigation Sampling System (CISS), Special
Crash Investigation (SCI), and specific issue-based Special Study data
collection studies. Although each of these systems satisfy different
purposes and collect data in different manners, they all utilize
similar core data elements, procedures, information technology, and
protocols for data collection.\1\
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\1\ Additional details about the CISS, SCI, and Special Study
data collections are available in the supporting statements for the
ICR with OMB Control Number 2127-0706.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NHTSA is seeking approval for a new, independent information
collection request for the CIREN program separate from NHTSA's other
investigation-based crash data collection systems. The method of case
subject identification and selection is unique for CIREN. CIREN
collects a purposive sample of injured traffic crash victims from a
small number of sites to extensively examine and document injury
causation in motor vehicle crashes. The CIREN program enrolls case
subjects (crash victims) who have been admitted to eight contracted
level-one trauma centers for treatment of injuries sustained in crashes
and consent to participate in the study. The collection facilitates
detailed review and analysis of medical and engineering data by
multidisciplinary teams to evaluate injury causation. The focus of the
CIREN program has historically been on seriously-injured occupants of
recent model-year motor vehicles, though the program intends to expand
to include pedestrians, pedalcyclists, and micromobility (non-motorist)
users who have been injured in crashes.
Study personnel at each of the eight contracted CIREN sites review
trauma
[[Page 85727]]
registry data to identify potential case subjects based on the study's
inclusion criteria. Study teams obtain informed consent from eligible
patients according to institutional policies and consent documents. No
data is collected from eligible patients who do not provide consent to
participate in the study. Participation in CIREN does not affect the
case subject's medical treatment. Observations from the CIREN program
inform NHTSA research priorities and the data support improvements in
motor vehicle safety. CIREN provides non-private data to the public
through an online case viewer, database files, and reports.
After an eligible patient provides consent, study personnel
retrieve the case subject's medical information and commence the crash
investigation. Study personnel retrieve the medical information
directly from the hospital's electronic medical record (EMR) system
including case subject anthropometry, past medical history,
radiological imaging and reports, operative procedure reports, and
injury diagnoses. They also request emergency medical services (EMS)
response reports from first responders. Study personnel also conduct an
interview with the case subject (or a surrogate in cases where the case
subject is unable to communicate) to develop an understanding about the
crash circumstances. A trained crash investigator locates, visits,
measures, and photographs the crash scene and the case subject's
vehicle (or the striking vehicle for non-motorist case subjects). They
also obtain the police crash report. These data are used to
characterize the performance of vehicle safety systems and
biomechanical responses of injured individuals in motor vehicle
crashes.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information: NHTSA investigates real-world crashes and collects
detailed crash and medical data in the CIREN program to identify human
and vehicle factors related to injury causation in support of NHTSA
research. Biomechanical engineers and medical doctors collaboratively
review case evidence to establish injury causation scenarios. These
detailed factors and scenarios inform research priorities. They may
also guide the development and evaluation of effective safety
countermeasures such as testing tools and criteria. The data collected
also act as a sentinel, providing NHTSA with advanced notice of
emerging crash injury problems, and are used to generate research
hypotheses. These efforts give motor vehicle researchers an opportunity
to specify areas in which improvements may be possible, design
countermeasure programs, and evaluate the effects of existing and
proposed safety measures. The resulting deidentified database provides
NHTSA and the public with access to crash data which contains extensive
medical detail, including medical imaging, which is a unique resource
among available crash data systems. There is no other source for the
biomechanics-focused data which is critical to support crash injury
mitigation and prevention research.
Affected Public: People involved in select motor vehicle crashes
admitted to contracted trauma centers for treatment; law enforcement
jurisdictions that provide access to and a copy of crash reports from
the investigated crashes; EMS providers responding to investigated
crashes, and tow or salvage facilities that provide access for
inspections of involved vehicles.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,136.
Study personnel screen trauma records for potentially eligible case
subjects, and then approach potential case subjects to gain consent. It
is estimated that 362 potential case subjects are approached for
consent each year. Of those, an average of 258 provide consent and
participate in the interview process. For each of the 258 consented
case subjects, study personnel contact the police, EMS agencies, and a
tow facility for report documentation and to coordinate the vehicle
inspection. The combination of patients (362) and associated contacts
(3 x 258) yields 1,136 total respondents each year, on average.
Frequency: On occasion.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 499 hours.
The CIREN program consists of four (4) information collections. The
first information collection covers the consent process for individuals
involved in crashes who are deemed potentially eligible for the study
at contracted trauma centers. Based on historical data, approximately
362 potential case subjects are approached for study consent each year.
The consent process generally requires thirty (30) minutes of the
respondent's time during their acute hospital admission, which includes
explanation of the study risks and benefits and review of consent
language. This burden would apply for every patient approached for
consent, regardless of their decision to participate in the study. The
estimated total annual burden hours for seeking study consent from
eligible case subjects is 181 hours (362 respondents x 0.5 hours).
The second information collection is from individuals who agree to
participate in the study. After providing consent, CIREN contractor
personnel conduct an interview that requires approximately one hour of
the respondent's time during their acute hospital admission. The CIREN
program has historically conducted interviews of approximately 258 case
subjects per year. Therefore, the estimated total annual burden for
case subject interviews is 258 hours (258 respondents x 1.0 hour).
The third information collection for CIREN is obtaining first
responder reports to complete the cases. The reports are obtained from
police and EMS agencies, and reports are only requested for crash
subjects who have consented to participate in the study. NHTSA
estimates each query to police agencies takes three (3) minutes (0.05
hours) and each query to EMS agencies takes six (6) minutes (0.1
hours). Therefore, the total estimated annual burden for crash and EMS
reports is 39 hours (258 requests x (0.05 hours + 0.1 hours)).
The fourth information collection for CIREN is associated with
towing and salvage facility requests for access to case vehicles.
Typically, a towing or salvage facility operator will provide the crash
investigator permission to enter the facility to inspect the case-
involved vehicle as well as provide guidance regarding the location of
the vehicle. This process is estimated to take approximately five (5)
minutes (0.08 hours) of staff time. CIREN averages 258 visits to towing
and salvage facilities each year since most CIREN cases involve
inspection of one case vehicle. The total annual burden for towing and
salvage facilities is 21 hours (258 requests x 0.083 hours).
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Number of
Information collection Number of responses (per Burden per response Burden per respondent Total burden
respondents respondent) (hours)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Potential case subject consent......... 362 362 (1) 30 minutes................... 30 minutes................... 181
Case subject interview................. 258 258 (1) 1.0 hours.................... 1.0 hours.................... 258
Police report requests................. 258 258 (1) 3 minutes.................... 3 minutes.................... 13
[[Page 85728]]
EMS report requests.................... 258 258 (1) 6 minutes.................... 6 minutes.................... 26
Access to towing/salvage facility...... 258 258 (1) 5 minutes.................... 5 minutes.................... 21
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Total.............................. .............. ................. ............................. ............................. 499
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accordingly, NHTSA estimates that the total burden associated with
the CIREN program is 499 hours (181 + 258 + 39 + 21).
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $0.
There are no capital, start-up, or annual operation and maintenance
costs involved in this collection of information. The respondents would
not incur any reporting costs from the information collection beyond
the opportunity or labor costs associated with the burden hours. The
respondents also would not incur any recordkeeping burden or
recordkeeping costs from the information collection. Therefore, NHTSA
estimates that there will be no annual burden cost to respondents.
Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of
this information collection, including (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) 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.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.
Cem Hatipoglu,
Associate Administrator, Office of Vehicle Safety Research.
[FR Doc. 2023-27006 Filed 12-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
