[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 40581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20231]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[Docket No. FHWA-98-4077]
Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A)
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the
intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget's
(OMB) approval of a new information collection. This information
collection will be used to: (1) Gather information from motor carriers
regarding their expectations/experience with compliance reviews
conducted by the FHWA Office of Motor Carriers (OMC); and (2) provide a
baseline to measure improvements in customer satisfaction. The
information collected from the survey will help the OMC assess the
usefulness of the compliance review process, including whether the
reviews are being conducted in a business-like manner, and what
additional services and information the OMC could provide.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket
number that appears in the heading of this document and must be
submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received
will be available for examination at the above address between 10:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must
include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tony Schafer, (202) 366-2953,
Office of Motor Carriers, Federal Highway Administration, Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Office
hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Motor Carrier Assessment of Compliance Reviews.
Background: The mission of the FHWA's OMC is to promote safe
transportation of passengers and goods on the Nation's highways. In the
performance of its duties, the OMC conducts periodic compliance reviews
with motor carriers in each State. The reviews are normally held at the
motor carrier's principal place of business. Compliance reviews are
investigations of the carrier's operation to determine whether they
meet the safety fitness standards. To meet the safety fitness
standards, a motor carrier must demonstrate that it has adequate safety
management controls in place which function effectively to ensure
acceptable compliance with applicable safety requirements. Upon
completion of a compliance review, FHWA assigns the carrier either a
satisfactory, conditional, or unsatisfactory rating. A satisfactory
rating means the carrier has established and is using adequate safety
management controls that meet FHWA's safety fitness standards. A
conditional rating means a carrier has adequate controls that could
result in violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
An unsatisfactory rating means that the carrier has inadequate controls
that have resulted in violations of the regulations. Compliance reviews
can result in enforcement actions against a carrier for violations of
safety regulations. A civil fine is a primary enforcement tool used by
the FHWA to induce regulatory compliance.
A survey of selected review participants will provide the
information necessary for the OMC to assess these compliance reviews so
that ongoing improvements to the compliance review process can be
accomplished. The information will be collected on a standardized
questionnaire, via mail or by telephone. Respondents will be advised of
the purpose for the survey and the confidentiality of their responses,
either by an accompanying letter or orally by telephone. The
questionnaire will request respondents to provide information
pertaining to the compliance review process (i.e., notification,
purpose and length of the review). The information will be collected
from motor carriers shortly after FHWA or State officials complete a
compliance review. It is estimated that approximately 9,200 compliance
reviews are conducted annually. Of the 9,200 reviews, surveys will be
conducted for approximately 1,500 reviews. The results of the surveys
will be analyzed and presented in a report to the management of the
OMC. This report will be used for ongoing improvements to the
compliance review process.
Respondents: The individuals asked to respond to the survey will be
the motor carrier employee who signed for receipt of the compliance
review.
Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 250 hours.
Frequency: Collection will occur following completion of each of
the 1,500 reviews which will be identified for the survey.
Public Comments Invited: Interested parties are invited to send
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection,
including, but not limited to: (1) The necessity and utility of the
information collection for the proper performance of the functions of
the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4)
ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of
the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this
notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's
clearance of this information collection.
Electronic Availability: An electronic copy of this document may be
downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the
Federal Register electronic bulletin board service (telephone number:
202-512-1661). Internet users may reach the Federal Register's WWW site
at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322(a), 329(a), 31133(a); and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: July 23, 1998.
George S. Moore, Jr.,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-20231 Filed 7-28-98; 8:45 am]
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