Reports, Forms, and Information Requirements

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-99-6426]

Reports, Forms, and Information Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),

Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of

information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from

the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and

Budget (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 one collection of information for which

NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at

the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management,

Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Please

identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is

provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but

not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket

Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Complete copies of each request for

collection of information may be obtained at no charge from Mr. John F.

Oates, Jr., NHTSA 400 Seventh Street, SW, Room 5238, NSC-01,Washington,

DC 20590. Mr. Oates' telephone number is (202) 366-2121. Please

identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB

Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,

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 5CFR

1320.8(d), an agency must ask for public comment on the following:

(i) 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;

(ii) 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;

(iii) How to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected;

(iv) 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 collections of information:

(1) Title: 23 CFR Part 1335 for Application for Section 411 State

highway Safety Data and Traffic Records Improvements Incentive Grants.

OMB Control Number:

Affected Public: State Government.

Abstract: The National Transportation Equity Act for the 21st

Century (TEA-21) was signed into law on June 9, 1998. The Act

established a new Section 411 of Title 23, United States Code (Section

161), which offers states the opportunity to apply for incentive grants

designed to help states improve the collection, storage, retrieval and

analysis of traffic records data. The program identifies three basic

records system components, all of which must be present if the state is

to receive multiple-year grants: (1) A

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committee to coordinate the development and use of highway safety data

and traffic records; (2) a systematic assessment of the state's highway

safety data and traffic records; and, (3) a strategic plan for the

continued improvement of highway safety data and traffic records.

However, TEA-21 recognizes that some states may not be able to meet all

three prerequisites for multiple-year grants in the first or even

second year of the Section 411 program. Accordingly, the section

provides for three types of grants: an ``implementation'' grant, to

each state that has all three components (a coordinating committee, a

traffic records assessment within the last five years, and a developed

strategic plan); an ``initiation'' grant, to each state that has a

coordinating committee and a traffic records assessment within the past

five years, but which has not completed development of its strategic

plan; and a ``start-up'' grant, to each state that is not eligible for

the other grants. Most of the information that a state is required to

submit is already generated and is easily accessible. Specifically,

copies of traffic records assessment reports and strategic plans are

readily attainable, and routinely are filed with the sponsoring

agencies. Names, addresses and organizational affiliations of the

members of the traffic records coordinating committee also are usually

on file or can be easily assembled.

Estimated Annual Burden: 2 hours (average), for each state that

elects to apply.

Number of Respondents: 57 (all 50 states, the District of Columbia,

Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern

Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands and the Bureau of Indian Affairs).

Issued on: November 4, 1999.

Adele Derby,

Associate Administrator for State and Community Services.

[FR Doc. 99-29350 Filed 11-9-99; 8:45 am]

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