[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73736-73737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29844]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[U.S. DOT Docket No. NHTSA-2012-0169]
Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements: Agency
Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
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 reinstatements 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 February 11, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Refer to the docket notice number cited at the beginning of
this notice and send your comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Walker, contract task order
manager, Office of Regulatory Analysis and Evaluation, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., NVS-432,
Washington, DC 20590. Mr. Walker's phone number is 202-366-8571 and his
email address is [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,
before an agency submits a proposed collection of information to OMB
for approval, it must 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 regulations (at 5 CFR
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; and (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 submissions of responses. In
compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on the
following proposed collection of information:
Title: Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems Special Studies.
Type of Request: Renewal.
OMB Clearance Number: 2127-0626.
Form Number: This collection of information uses no standard forms.
Required Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2016.
Abstract
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is an
agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. NHTSA has issued
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for light vehicles
since 1978 under the statutory authority of the Energy Policy and
Conservation Act (EPCA). The Energy Independence and Security Act
(EISA), enacted on December 19, 2007, amended EPCA and mandated that
NHTSA, in consultation with EPA, set fuel economy standards for medium
and heavy-duty (MD/HD) on-highway vehicles and work trucks to the
maximum feasible level in each model year, providing four full model
years of regulatory lead-time. 49 U.S.C. 32902 requires the agency to
implement test methods, measurement metrics, fuel economy standards,
and compliance and enforcement protocols that are
[[Page 73737]]
appropriate, cost-effective, and technologically feasible for the
various vehicle classes.
The first MD/HD fuel consumption standards, covering model year
2014-2018 vehicles, built on many years of engine and vehicle
technology development to achieve what the agency believes is the
greatest degree of fuel consumption reduction consistent with
principles of technological and economic feasibility. In addition to
taking aggressive steps that are reasonably possible now, the agency is
committed to continue learning about this complex sector to further
reduce fuel consumption through future regulatory steps. This special
study is aligned with this commitment, by improving NHTSA's
understanding of three operational characteristics related to MD/HD
trucks that impact the estimation of regulatory costs and benefits for
the next phase of MD/HD fuel economy rulemaking covering model years
2019 and beyond.
The first topic for which this special study seeks to gather data
is known as the ``fuel economy rebound effect.'' As the operating cost
per mile driven decreases due to improved vehicle fuel economy, a
``rebound effect'' may occur (i.e., demand for trucking operations may
increase, resulting in increased vehicle miles traveled (VMT) across
MD/HD fleets). The magnitude of this effect is a subject of
uncertainty; therefore, a survey to gather data on the relationship
between VMT and operating cost per mile will help to refine estimates
of the rebound effect.
This special study also seeks to gather data to profile the
characteristics of MD/HD vehicle refueling trips, in effort to estimate
the value of time saved at the pump due to improvements in fuel
economy. With the 2017-2025 MY light-duty vehicle CAFE rule, NHTSA
utilized survey data gathered at refueling stations to quantify this
regulatory impact; however, no analogous data exist for MD/HD vehicles.
NHTSA also seeks to estimate the value of time savings that may
result from the implementation of active tire pressure monitoring
systems in MD/HD vehicles, as these systems are among the fuel-economy-
improving technologies under evaluation for future standards. To
properly estimate this value, data are needed on the frequency with
which maintenance staff or vehicle operators check tire pressures and
how many minutes a tire pressure check and adjustment takes.
Description of the Likely Respondents (Including Estimated Number,
and Proposed Frequency of Response to the Collection of Information): A
list of MD/HD truck fleet operators will be developed and a sub-set of
these operators will be contacted for initial pre-screening to
determine survey eligibility. To be deemed eligible for inclusion,
fleet operators must operate MD/HD fleets consisting of one or more
vehicle classes ranging from class 2b through class 8. The sample will
include sufficient diversity to gather data on all class 2b through
class 8 MD/HD vehicles. Respondents will include management or other
administrative staff with knowledge of macro-level fleet data and
operational policies.
100 or more responding sample units are sought. To achieve this
target, it is estimated that the initial sample be comprised of 200 MD/
HD truck fleet operators, allowing for a response rate minimum of 50
percent. The universe under study includes the entirety of MD/HD truck
fleet operators.
Separately, a list of between 20 and 30 refueling locations will be
developed, identifying those areas at which to survey MD/HD truck
drivers to gather additional data regarding refueling and tire pressure
maintenance activities. Collection of up to 4,000 successful responses
is desired, from a universe comprised of all Class 2b through Class 8
truck drivers, and sufficient overall sample diversity must be present
to gather data on all MD/HD classes. Allowing for a 50 percent response
rate, up to 8,000 interview attempts may be required.
There will be separate survey instruments for fleet operators and
for vehicle drivers. These survey instruments will target fleet
operators or vehicle drivers as appropriate with questions intended to
gather data on the following topics:
(1) Data to facilitate analysis of MD/HD truck fuel economy rebound
effect.
(2) Data to facilitate analysis of MD/HD truck refueling practices.
(3) Data regarding the maintenance of cab and trailer tire
pressures.
The survey of vehicle drivers will utilize in-person interviews as
the sole method of data collection. The survey of fleet operators will
involve telephone interviews, web-based forms, and--if necessary to
meet response rate objectives--hard copy forms.
Estimate of the Total Annual Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
Resulting From the Collection of Information: NHTSA estimates that the
average length of time to complete the fleet operator survey will be 30
minutes per respondent for a successful response (equivalent to a total
of 100 hours in the event that the full sample responds), plus an
additional 10 minutes each (or a total of approximately 33 hours) for
the initial pre-screening to determine respondent eligibility.
Consequently, the total fleet operator respondent burden is estimated
to be 133 hours.
The on-site interview-based portion of this survey, to be conducted
of MD/HD truck drivers at refueling locations, is expected to require
10 minutes of respondent time per successful response, plus 2 minutes
per refusal. Assuming 4,000 successful collections and 4,000 refusals,
this equates to 800 hours of respondent burden borne by MD/HD truck
drivers.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. Section 3506(c)(2)(A).
James F. Simons,
Director, Office of Regulatory Analysis and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 2012-29844 Filed 12-10-12; 8:45 am]
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