[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 247 (Monday, December 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 81327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32335]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA-2010-0048]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Transit Administration invites public comment 
about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB) approval to renew the following information collection:
    Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning. The information 
collected for this program is necessary to identify and evaluate the 
transportation issues and needs in each urbanized area and throughout 
every state. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period 
soliciting comments was published on October 13, 2010.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before January 26, 2011. A comment to 
OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvia L. Marion, Office of 
Administration, Office of Management Planning, (202) 366-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Metropolitan and Statewide Transportation Planning.
    Abstract: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal 
Highway Administration (FHWA) jointly carry out the federal mandate to 
improve urban and rural transportation. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304 and 23 
U.S.C. 134 and 135 authorize the use of federal funds to assist 
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), States, and local public 
bodies in developing transportation plans and programs to serve the 
transportation needs of urbanized areas over 50,000 in population and 
other areas of States outside of urbanized areas. The information 
collection activities involved in developing the Unified Planning Work 
Program (UPWP), the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, the Statewide 
Transportation Improvement Plan, the Transportation Improvement Program 
(TIP), and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) are 
necessary to identify and evaluate the transportation issues and needs 
in each urbanized area and throughout every state. These products of 
the transportation planning process are essential elements in the 
reasonable planning and programming of federally funded transportation 
investments.
    In addition to serving as management tools for MPOs and State DOTs, 
the UPWP and State Planning and Research (SP&R) Work Program are used 
by both FTA and FHWA to monitor the transportation planning activities 
of those agencies. It is also needed to establish national out year 
budgets and regional program plans, develop policy on using funds, 
monitor State and local compliance with national technical emphasis 
areas, respond to Congressional inquiries, prepare Congressional 
testimony, and ensure efficiency in the use and expenditure of federal 
funds by determining that planning proposals are both reasonable and 
cost-effective. 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 23 U.S.C.134(h) require the 
development of TIPs for urbanized areas; STIPs are mandated by 49 
U.S.C. 5304 and 23 U.S.C. 235(f) for an entire State. After approval by 
the Governor and MPO, metropolitan TIPs in attainment areas are to be 
incorporated directly into the STIP. For nonattainment areas, FTA/FHWA 
must make a conformity finding on the TIPs before including them into 
the STIP. The complete STIP is then jointly reviewed and approved or 
disapproved by FTA and FHWA. These conformity findings and approval 
actions constitute the determination that States are complying with the 
requirements of 23 U.S.C. 235 and 49 U.S.C. 5303 and 5304 as a 
condition of eligibility for federal-aid funding. Without these 
documents, approvals and findings, capital and/or operating assistance 
cannot be provided.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 270,756 hours.

ADDRESSES: All written comments must refer to the docket number that 
appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
725--17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk 
Officer.
    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.

    Issued On: December 20, 2010.
Ann M. Linnertz,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-32335 Filed 12-23-10; 8:45 am]
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