Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation.

ACTION:

Request for public comment on proposed collection of information.

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 October 8, 2002.

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 Control Number. It is requested, but not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket Section is open on weekdays from 9 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 Marcia Tarbet, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5208, NPP-22, Washington, DC 20590. Mrs. Tarbet's telephone number is (202) 366-2570. 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 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;

(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:

Title: Heavy Vehicle Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Underride Guard Fleet Maintenance Study.

OMB Control Number: New.

Affected Public: Private trucking fleets nationwide.

Form Number: NA.

Abstract: As required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 and Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735), NHTSA reviews existing regulations to determine if they are achieving policy goals. Safety Standard 105 (49 CFR 571.105) requires Antilock Brake Systems (ABS) on hydraulic-braked vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds built on or after March 1, 1999. Safety Standard 121 (49 CFR 571.121) requires ABS on air-braked truck-tractors built on or after March 1, 1997 and on air-braked trailers and single-unit trucks manufactured on or after March 1, 1998. Safety Standard 223 (49 CFR 571.223) requires all trailers and semi-trailers built on or after January 24, 1998 with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 10,000 pounds to have an underride guard. NHTSA's Office of Plans and Policy is planning a data collection effort that will provide adequate information to perform an evaluation on the effect of ABS and underride guards on the maintenance of heavy vehicles in trucking fleets. This study will determine fleet maintenance policies and procedures related to ABS and underride guards, examine factors that motivate fleets to maintain antilock brakes and underride guards, and document fleet experience in maintaining ABS and underride guards since the implementation of the new safety standards.

Estimated Annual Burden: The annual burden is estimated to be 126 hours.

Number of Respondents: Information will be reported on a total of 252 trucking fleets.

Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and 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.