Highway Performance Monitoring SystemStrategic Reassessment; Final Report

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA Docket No. FHWA-1997-2301; 97-10]

Highway Performance Monitoring System--Strategic Reassessment;

Final Report

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and closing of docket.

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

SUMMARY: FHWA has completed its strategic reassessment of the Highway

Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). The work has been carried out

over the past two years with the assistance of HPMS stakeholders,

partners, customers and our HPMS Steering Committee. The participation

of many individuals and organizations in response to our outreach

process has provided valued perspectives to the reassessment process.

The ``Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) Reassessment Final

Report'' and a companion informational brochure, ``Re-engineering

HPMS,'' have been issued.

DATES: The docket is closed as of March 5, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James Getzewich, Highway Systems

Performance Division, Office of Highway Information, (202) 366-0175,

Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC

20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., e.t., Monday through

Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

Internet users can access all comments received by the U.S. DOT

Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL):

http://dms.dot.gov. It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each

year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and

help.

An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem

and suitable communications software from the Government Printing

Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. The FHWA

report and brochure are available through the Internet at http://

www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim under the heading ``Products and Publications.''

A very limited number of copies are available by writing or faxing your

request to Federal Highway Administration (HPM-20), 400 Seventh Street,

SW., Washington, DC 20590; fax: (202) 366-7742.

[[Page 10737]]

On December 23, 1996, the FHWA published a notice (61 FR 67590)

requesting comments on issues related to a strategic reassessment of

the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS). The HPMS was

developed in 1978 as a national highway transportation system data

base. A major purpose of the HPMS has been to provide data that

reflects the extent, condition, performance, use, and operating

characteristics of the Nation's highways.

In 1988, the HPMS was enhanced with the addition of more detailed

pavement data. In 1993, the HPMS was again revised to meet needs

brought about by changes in the FHWA analysis and simulation models,

including the shift to a geographic information system (GIS)

environment; the effects of the 1990 Census; the Intermodal

Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA), Pub. L. 102-240, 105

Stat. 1914; the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, Pub. L. 101-549, 104

Stat. 2399; and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements

concerning vehicle miles of travel (VMT) tracking data in air quality

non-attainment areas.

The final report documents the results of FHWA's review of the

HPMS. The purpose of this review was to assist FHWA in determining an

appropriate future form and direction for this major FHWA data system

as we move into the 21st Century. This report represents the

culmination of several serial activities including:

--The identification and assessment of the impacts of the HPMS on FHWA,

its State and other governmental partners, and the many and varied HPMS

customers;

--The results of an extensive outreach program that included a national

HPMS workshop held in June 1997; and

--The subsequent assimilation of inputs from these activities into a

revised HPMS.

As a result of the reassessment, the FHWA will change the HPMS.

Over 15 percent of the data items will be eliminated and another 15

percent will be changed to significantly reduce the number of detail

lines. The HPMS sample size reductions are proposed and the summary of

crash data by functional system is being eliminated. The FHWA will

provide States with PC-based data submittal software and will develop

Internet access to the HPMS data. Overall, the changes will reduce the

burden for data providers while still meeting the stated HPMS goals and

objectives, FHWA's future business needs, and our partners' and

customers' information needs.

Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 CFR 1.48.

Issued on February 24, 1999.

Kenneth R. Wykle,

Federal Highway Administrator.

[FR Doc. 99-5447 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-22-P