Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 205 / Thursday, October 23, 1997 / Notices 55299

technical information, and operating

manuals to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Need: Under 46 U.S.C. 3301 and 3306,

the U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for

enforcing regulations promoting the

safety of life and property in marine

transportation. This information is used

by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure that

a vessel meets the applicable

construction, arrangement and

equipment standards. Estimated Annual Burden Hours:

7,545 hours.

Number of Respondents: 146.

Title: Liquefied Natural Gas and

Liquefied Hazard Gas Waterfront

Facilities.

OMB No.: 2115–0552.

Type of Request: Reinstatement,

without change, of a previously

approved collection which approval has

expired. Affected Public: Operators or Owners

of waterfront facilities that transfer LNG

and LHG.

Abstract: The collection of

information requires owners or

operators of waterfront facilities that

handle liquefied hazardous gas (LHG) or

liquefied natural gas (LNG) to: (a)

Provide the Coast Guard with a letter of

intent when a facility transfers the gases

in bulk; (b) request permission to use an

alternative procedure that provide at

least the same degree of safety as the

regulations; ( c) develop and submit to

the Coast Guard two copies of the

facilities operations manual and

emergency manual; (d) certify in writing

that each person in charge of shoreside

transfer operations is qualified; (e)

complete, with the person in charge of

vessel transfer operations, a Declaration

of Inspection; (f) test and inspect the

transfer system to ensure the system

will not fail and release hazardous

gases; and, (g) provide for the right to

appeal the action in these regulations. Need: 33 CFR Part 127, Subparts A

and C, gives Coast Guard the authority

to publish regulations that provide

safety standards for the design,

construction, equipment, operations,

maintenance, personnel training, and

fire protection at waterfront facilities

handling liquefied natural and

hazardous gases. Estimated Annual Burden Hours:

3,261 hours.

Number of Respondents: 173.

Title: 33 CFR Subchapter P-Ports and

Waterways Safety. OMB No.: 2115–0540.

Type of Request: Reinstatement,

without change, of a previously

approved collection which approval has

expired. Affected Public: Master, owner or

agents of a vessel. Abstract: This collection of

information allows the master, owner or

agent of a vessel affected by these

regulations to request to the Coast

Guard, deviation from navigation safety

equipment requirements to the extent

that there is no reduction in safety.

Need: Title 33 CFR, Subchapter P,

allows any person directly affected by

these regulations to request a deviation

from any of the requirements as long as

the level of safety is not reduced.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 600

hours.

Number of Respondents: 400.

Title: 46 CFR Subchapter S—

Subdivision and Stability.

OMB No.: 2115–0589.

Type of Request: Reinstatement,

without change, of a previously

approved collection which approval has

expired.

Affected Public: Owners or operators

of inspected vessels.

Abstract: This collection of

information requires owners or

operators of inspected vessels to submit

plans and information concerning

stability to the U.S. Coast Guard to

ensure that applicable stability

standards are met.

Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 3306, directs the

Coast Guard to make appropriate

regulations, including standards for

vessel stability. This information is used

by the U.S. Coast Guard to ensure that

a vessel meets the applicable stability

standards.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours:

19,693 hours.

Number of Respondents: 644.

Title: Hopper Dredge Working

Freeboard; Loadline and Stability.

OMB No.: 2115–0565.

Type of Request: Extension of a

Currently Approved Collection.

Affected Public: Owners or operators

of self-propelled hopper dredges.

Abstract: This collection of

information provides a mechanism for

owners and operators of self-propelled

hopper dredges to request a working

freeboard.

Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 3703 requires

the U.S. Coast Guard to prescribe

regulations necessary for navigation and

vessels safety. These requirements

ensure that self-propelled hopper

dredges meet certain structural and

stability standards.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 50

hours.

Number of Respondents: 10.

Title: Alternative Provisions for

Reinspection of Offshore Supply Vessels

in Foreign Ports, 46 CFR 91.27–13.

OMB No.: 2115–0571.

Type of Request: Extension of a

Currently Approved Collection.

Affected Public: Owners or operators

of offshore supply vessels operating in

foreign ports.

Abstract: This collection of

information provides a mechanism for

owners and operators of Offshore

Supply Vessels (OSV) based overseas to

submit certified examination reports

and statements to the U.S. Coast Guard

as an alternative to Coast Guard

reinspection.

Need: Title 46 U.S.C. 3308 gives Coast

Guard the authority to examine each

vessel subject to inspection at proper

times to ensure continued compliance

with applicable laws and regulations.

This requirement allows the U.S. Coast

Guard to ensure that applicable OSV are

in compliance.

Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 572

hours.

Number of Respondents: 10.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to the

Office of Information and Regulatory

Affairs, Office of Management and

Budget, 725–17th Street, NW.,

Washington, DC 20503, Attention DOT

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 in Washington, DC, on October 16,

1997.

Vanester M. Williams,

Clearance Officer, United States Department

of Transportation.

[FR Doc. 97–28104 Filed 10–22–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–62–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

Notice of Passenger Facility Charge

(PFC) Approvals and Disapprovals

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Monthly Notice of PFC

Approvals and Disapprovals. In

September 1997, there were 13

applications approved. Additionally, 14

approved amendments to previously

approved applications are listed.

SUMMARY: The FAA publishes a monthly

notice, as appropriate, of PFC approvals
55300 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 205 / Thursday, October 23, 1997 / Notices

and disapprovals under the provisions

of the Aviation Safety and Capacity

Expansion Act of 1990 (Title IX of the

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of

1990) (Public Law 101–508) and Part

158 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

(14 CFR Part 158). This notice is

published pursuant to paragraph d of

§ 158.29.

PFC Applications Approved

Public Agency: Valdosta-Lowndes

County Airport Authority, Valdosta,

Georgia.

Application Number: 97–03–C–00–

VLD.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved in this

Decision: $47,250.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

October 1, 1999.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

October 1, 2000.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: None.

Brief Description of Projects Approved

for Collection and Use: Aircraft rescue

and firefighting (ARFF) Vehicle. Replace

Taxiway a lights.

Brief Description of Project

Withdrawn: New terminal building

construction.

Determination: This project was

withdrawn by the public agency in its

letter to the FAA dated July 8, 1997.

Decision Date: September 3, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tracie L. Dominy, Atlanta Airports

District Office, (404) 305–7148.

Public Agency: Monroe County Board

of County Commissioners, Key West,

Florida.

Application Number: 97–03–C–00–

EYW.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $1,860,000.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

December 1, 1999.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: None.

Brief Description of Projects Approved

For Collection And Use: Construct

remote auto parking lot. Acquire

property, runway 27 runway protection

zone (RPZ).

Acquire 1,500 gallon ARFF truck.

Construct new ARFF building.

Rehabilitate and reconfigure

commercial aircraft parking apron.

Rehabilitate and reconfigure general

aviation parking apron.

Update Part 150 study.

Rehabilitate or replace rotating beacon

tower.

Brief Description of Projects

Disapproved: Acquire property, runway

9 RPZ and extended runway safety area.

Determination: Disapproved. The

public agency has applied to obtain this

land through a no-cost transfer under

the Base Realignment and Closure

(BRAC) program. Therefore, PFC

revenue may not be needed to acquire

the property and, thus, this project is

being disapproved at this time.

However, if the public agency does not

obtain the property through the BRAC

program, it may reapply for PFC’s to

acquire the property.

East Martello property, environmental

enhancement of runway safety area for

runway 9.

Determination: Disapproved. The

FAA has determined that the

environmental enhancement of the east

Martello property is the responsibility of

the United States Navy, who currently

owns the property. Therefore, this

project is disapproved for PFC funding.

Decision Date: September 9, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Miguel A. Martinez, Orlando Airports

District Office, (407) 812–6331.

Public Agency: Erie Municipal Airport

Authority, Erie, Pennsylvania.

Application Number: 97–02–C–00–

ERI.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $1,252,427.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

May 1, 2001.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: Air taxi/commercial

operators filing FAA Form 1800–31.

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, The FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements at Erie

Municipal Airport.

Brief Description of Projects Approved

for Collection and Use:

Install glycol recovery system.

Refurbish snow plow.

Upgrade pavement condition sensor.

Install security gate and upgrade

security system.

Acquire easement.

Expand and rehabilitate terminal

baggage area.

Rehabilitate ramp (Phase II).

Purchase snow removal tractor.

Replace airfield lighting emergency

generator and regulator.

Rehabilitate maintenance building.

Rehabilitate jetway.

Airfield signange.

PFC administration.

Decision Date: September 10, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.W.

Walsh, Harrisburg Airports District

Office, (717) 730–2831.

Public Agency: Metropolitan

Knoxville Airport Authority, Knoxville,

Tennessee.

Application Number: 97–05–C–00–

TYS.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $1,751,812.

Earliest Charge Effective Date: June 1,

1998.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

May 1, 1999.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: Nonscheduled air taxi/

commercial operators filing FAA Form

1800–31.

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, the FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements at McGhee

Tyson Airport.

Brief Description of Projects Approved

for Collection and Use: Taxiway B

reconstruction. Emergency generator.

Brief Description of Project Approved

in Part for Collection and Use:

Administration of PFC program.

Determination: Partially approved.

The public agency only submitted

supporting documentation for a portion

of the $25,000 requested. The detailed

estimate of expenses determined by the

FAA to be eligible was $11,812. The

balance of the requested amount was

not supported; therefore, it is not

eligible.

Decision Date: September 11, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peggy S. Kelley, Memphis Airports

District Office, (901) 544–3495,

extension 19.

Public Agency: Pellston Regional

Airport of Emmet County, Pellston

Michigan.

Application Number: 97–06–C–00–

PLN.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $52,000.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

August 1, 1998.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: Part 135 operators filing

FAA Form 1800–31.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 205 / Thursday, October 23, 1997 / Notices 55301

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, the FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements at Pellston

Regional Airport.

Brief Description of Project Approved

for Collection and Use: Rehabilitate

runway 5/23.

Decision Date: September 11, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon

Gilbert, Detroit Airports District Office,

(313) 487–7281.

Public Agency: County of Outagamie,

Appleton, Wisconsin.

Application Number: 97–02–C–00–

ATW.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $656,250.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

October 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

January 1, 1999.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: None.

Brief Description of Project Approved

for Collection and Use: Baggage claim

expansion.

Decision Date: September 11, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sandra Depottey, Minneapolis Airports

District Office, (612) 713–4363.

Public Agency: County of Monroe,

Rochester, New York.

Application Number: 97–01–C–00–

ROC.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $10,050,000.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

April 1, 2001.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: None.

Brief Description of Projects Approved

for Collection and Use:

Taxiway C rehabilitation and widening.

Terminal apron improvements.

Snow removal equipment.

Snow removal equipment storage

building.

Decision Date: September 18, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Philip Brito, New York Airports District

Office, (516) 227–3800.

Public Agency: Grand Rapids-Itasca

County Airport Commission, Grand

rapids, Minnesota.

Application Number: 97–01–C–00–

GPZ.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved in This

Decision: $1,297,059.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

May 1, 2031.

Class Of Air Carriers Not Require To

Collect PFC’s: Air taxi/commercial

operators.

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, the FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements to Grand

Rapids-Itasca County Airport.

Brief Description Of Projects

Approved For Collection And Use:

Instrument landing system installation.

Land acquisition and easement

purchase.

Deer fence.

Airfield guidance signs.

Pavement rehabilitation and crack

restructuring.

New passenger terminal building.

Aircraft apron.

Auto parking lot.

Entrance roadway.

PFC application.

PFC administration.

Decision Date: September 19, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gordon Nelson, Minneapolis Airports

District Office, (612) 713–4358.

Public Library: Mobile Airport

Authority, Mobile, Alabama.

Application Number: 97–01–C–00–

MOB.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $1,300,000.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

June 1, 1999.

Class Of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: Air taxi/commercial

operators that file FAA Form 1800–31.

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, the FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements at Mobile

Regional Airport.

Brief Description Of Projects

Approved For Collection And Use:

Ramp expansion. Acquire ARFF

vehicle.

Brief Description Of Project

Disapproved: Land acquisition.

Determination: Disapproved. On the

basis of information contained in the

public agency’s application, the FAA

has determined that this project does

not meet of the ojectives in § 158.15(a).

In addition, the FAA has determined

that the project is not eligible under

Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

criteria in accordance with paragraph

603(b) of FAA Order 5100.38A, AIP

Handbook (October 24, 1989), nor PFC

eligible in accordance with § 158.15(b).

In its application, the public agency

claims that the property proposed for

acquisition in this project is needed for

construction of a proposed parallel

runway. However, based on information

contained in the application, the FAA

has concluded that the land is not

needed for construction of the proposed

runway and would only be needed to

mitigate future noise impacts resulting

from a future runway. The FAA’s

Record of Approval for the Noise

Compatibility Program (NCP) states that

the acquisition of the Pleasant View

Baptist Church and other ‘‘long-term

measures’’ are approved subject to the

construction of the new runway and reevaluation of the NCP. To date, the

runway has not been constructed. The

FAA’s Record of Approval of the NCP

also states that the Church would be

acquired or relocated ‘‘if it is

determined that the congregation will be

significantly reduced when the

neighborhood is acquired or relocated.’’

To date, this determination has not been

made. The FAA has also concluded that

acquisition of this property is not

justified to mitigate noise impacts

resulting from aircraft operations on the

existing runways. Therefore, the FAA

has disapproved this project at this

time. This decision does not preclude

the public agency from reapplying for

PFC collection and use in the future if

the public agency is able to provide

adequate justification for the purchase

of the property.

Decision Date: September 25, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Keafur Grimes, Jackson Airports District

Office, (601) 965–4628.

Public Agency: Indian Wells Valley

Airport District, Inyokern, California.

Application Number: 97–03–C–00–

IYK.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $253,000.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

March 1, 2003.

Class Of Air Carrier Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: Small certificated air taxi

carriers not providing scheduled service

to Inyokern Airport (IYK).
55302 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 205 / Thursday, October 23, 1997 / Notices

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, the FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements at IYK.

Brief Description of Project Approved

for Use Only: Overlay taxiways.

Brief Description of Project Approved

For Collection And Use: Construct fire

station.

Brief Description Of Project Approved

For Collection Only: Widen runway

2/20 from 75 feet to 100 feet.

Decision Date: September 26, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John

P. Milligan, Western Pacific Region

Airports Division, (310) 725–3621.

Public Agency: City of Abilene, Texas.

Application Number: 97–01–C–00–

ABI.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: 1,210,647.

Earliest Charge Effective Date: January

1, 1998.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

September 1, 2005.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’s: None.

Brief Description of Projects Approved

For Collection and Use:

Apron reconstruction.

Overlay access road.

Install perimeter fencing (Phase I).

Emergency generator.

Install elevator.

Airport entrance signage.

Install precision approach path

indicators, runway 17L.

Overlay and mark runway 17L/35R.

Airfield guidance sign system.

Overlay taxiway D.

Groove runway 17L/35R.

Rehabilitate runway 17R/35L and

taxiway C lighting.

Security fencing (Phase 2).

Overlay runway 4/22 and pavement

emulsion seal on taxiways A, T, S, B,

Q, and apron.

Security fencing (Phase 3).

Terminal renovation and expansion.

PFC administrative costs.

Decision Date: September 26, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben

Guttery, Southwest Region Airports

Division, (817) 222–5614.

Public Agency: Johnstown-Cambria

County Airport Authority, Johnstown,

Pennsylvania.

Application Number: 97–03–C–00–

JST.

Application Type: Impose and use a

PFC.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue Approved In This

Decision: $233,333.

Earliest Charge Effective Date:

December 1, 1997.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

November 1, 1999.

Class of Air Carriers Not Required to

Collect PFC’s: Air taxi/commercial

operators filing FAA Form 1800–31.

Determination: Approved. Based on

information contained in the public

agency’s application, the FAA has

determined that the proposed class

accounts for less than 1 percent of the

total annual enplanements at

Johnstown-Cambria Airport.

Brief Description of Project Approved

For Collection and Use: Terminal

building renovation.

Brief Description of Project Withdraw:

Perimeter security fence.

Determination: This project was

withdrawn from the PFC application by

the public agency by letter dated

September 16, 1997.

Decision Date: September 29, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Joseph Carter, Harrisburg Airports

District Office, (717) 782–4548.

Public Agency: Reading Regional

Airport Authority, Reading,

Pennsylvania.

Application Number: 97–02–U–00–

RDG.

Application Type: Use PFC revenue.

PFC Level: $3.00.

Total PFC Revenue To Be Used In

This Decision: $300,000.

Charge Effective Date: December 1,

1994.

Estimated Charge Expiration Date:

August 1, 1998.

Class Of Air Carriers Not Required To

Collect PFC’S: No change from previous

decision.

Brief Description Of Project Approved

For Use: Construct terminal access road,

Phase 2.

Decision Date: September 29, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: L.W.

Walsh, Harrisburg Airports District

Office, (717) 782–4548.

Amendments to PFC Approvals

Amendment No., city, state

Amendment

approved

date

Orignial approved net

PFC revenue

Amended

approved

net PFC

revenue

Original estimated

charge exp.

date

Amended

estimated

charge exp.

date

92–01–C–01–ERI, Erie, PA ...................................................................... 07/07/94 $1,997.885 $1,854,570 06/01/97 06/01/97

95–01–C–01–LEB, Lebanon, NH ............................................................. 05/23/97 449,256 556.515 07/01/98 10/01/99

92–01–C–03–PNS, Pensacola, FL ........................................................... 06/15/97 9,839,900 8,270,500 03/01/01 12/01/99

95–03–C–01–PNS, Pensacola, FL ........................................................... 06/15/97 2,536,000 1,860,000 03/01/01 12/01/99

92–01–C–02–ERI, Erie, PA ...................................................................... 07/22/97 1,854,570 1,906,163 06/01/97 06/01/97

94–01–C–01–RDG, Reading, PA ............................................................. 08/07/97 600,750 480,000 08/01/98 08/01/98

92–01–C–01–PIB, Laurel-Hattiesburg, MS .............................................. 08/22/97 119,153 152,639 01/01/98 12/01/98

92–01–1–02–VLD, Valdosta, GA ............................................................. 08/28/97 307,746 408,996 10/01/97 10/01/99

97–02–U–01–VLD, Valdosta, GA ............................................................. 08/28/97 NA NA 10/01/97 10/01/99

93–01–C–02–CRP, Corpus Christi, TX .................................................... 09/05/97 5,566,940 6,337,528 01/01/98 05/01/98

93–01–C–03–RHI, Rhinelander, WI ......................................................... 09/19/97 188,951 198,951 10/01/00 01/01/01

95–02–U–01–RHI, Rhinelander, WI ......................................................... 09/19/97 NA NA 10/01/00 01/01/01

92–01–C–03–MCO, Orlando, FL .............................................................. 09/23/97 46,752,627 36,171,833 03/01/98 06/01/98

95–03–C–01–MCO, Orlando, FL .............................................................. 09/23/97 19,138,741 21,527,408 03/01/98 06/01/98
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 205 / Thursday, October 23, 1997 / Notices 55303

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 16,

1997.

Eric Gabler,

Manager, Passenger Facility Charge Branch.

[FR Doc. 97–28162 Filed 10–22–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–M

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

[Docket No. 97–071; Notice 1]

New Flyer of America, Inc.; Receipt of

Application for Decision of

Inconsequential Noncompliance

New Flyer of America of Crookston,

Minnesota, has determined that 115

buses fail to comply with 49 CFR

571.217, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Standard (FMVSS) No. 217, ‘‘Bus

Emergency Exits and Window Retention

and Release,’’ and has filed an

appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR

Part 573, ‘‘Defect and Noncompliance

Reports.’’ New Flyer has also petitioned

to be exempted from the notification

and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C.

Chapter 301—‘‘Motor Vehicle Safety’’

on the basis that the noncompliance is

inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

This notice of receipt of a petition is

published under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and

30120 and does not represent any

agency decision or other exercise of

judgment concerning the merits of the

petition.

FMVSS No. 217, Paragraph S5.2.2.1

requires that buses provide emergency

exit area, in total square centimeters, of

at least 432 times the number of

designated seating positions. It requires

that 40 percent of the emergency exit be

distributed on each side of the bus. It

also limits the amount of area to 3,458

square centimeters that can be credited

for an emergency exit.

During the 1995–1997 model year,

New Flyer produced 115 transit buses,

models D35LF (Diesel 35 ft Low Floor)

and C35LF (CNG 35 ft Low Floor) which

do not comply with FMVSS No. 217.

The subject transit buses have only one

emergency exit on the right side of the

bus instead of two, as required by the

standard.

New Flyer supports its application for

inconsequential noncompliance with

the following:

The buses exceed the exit area

requirements on all sides. The left side

has two exit windows for a total of

25,000 square centimeters or 4.67 times

the required area. The right side has one

exit window with 12,500 square

centimeters of exit area or 2.33 times the

required area. The standard does not

allow any one exit to claim more than

3,458 square centimeters. Therefore, the

right side of the bus does not have the

required number of emergency exits

although it exceeds the required area.

Each bus has two roof exits, where the

standard only requires one roof exit.

Overall, the buses have 3.28 times the

required exit area.

Retrofitting these buses to comply

with the standard would require

modifying and retesting the existing exit

door or replacing the right side window

with an emergency exit window, which

is not possible because the wheel

housing limits accessibility. The seating

position relative to the window allows

for easy exit; but if the window was

accidentally opened, there is potential

for someone to fall out. Modifying the

exit door to conform to the release force

requirements is a possible solution, but

would require redesigning the door.

Considering the bus already has 3.28

times the required exit area, modifying

the buses to include an additional exit

would not add to motor vehicle safety.

New Flyer does not believe that the

buses are a safety hazard since the bus

has excessive accessible emergency exit

area. These buses are operated by transit

authorities with trained professional

drivers; none are operated by the

general public. New Flyer has a close

relationship with the operators of the

buses and is continuously informed of

any problems or concerns, and has

never had an incident or complaint

involving the number or location of

emergency exits.

Interested persons are invited to

submit written data, views, and

arguments on the application of New

Flyer described above. Comments

should refer to the docket number and

be submitted to: Docket Section,

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration, Room 5109, 400

Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC

20590. It is requested but not required

that six copies be submitted.

All comments received before the

close of business on the closing date

indicated below will be considered. The

application and supporting materials,

and all comments received after the

closing date, will also be filed and will

be considered to the extent possible.

When the application is granted or

denied, the notice will be published in

the Federal Register pursuant to the

authority indicated below.

Comment closing date: November 24,

1997.

(49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120; delegations of

authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 501.8)

Issued on: October 17, 1997.

L. Robert Shelton,

Associate Administrator for Safety

Performance Standards.

[FR Doc. 97–28106 Filed 10–22–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration

[NHTSA Docket No. 97–062–N01]

Traffic Safety Programs—Office of

Research and Traffic Records;

Strategic Plan for Behavioral Research

in Traffic Safety

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA);

Transportation.

ACTION: Request for comments on

strategic issues and research

requirements to support research

planning.

SUMMARY: NHTSA’s Office of Research

and Traffic Records, Research and

Evaluation Division (ORTR/RED) is

engaged in the process of planning its

research programs for fiscal years 1998

through 2002. In conformance with the

Government Performance and Results

Act of 1993 (P.L. 103–62), ORTR/RED is

seeking public comment on the draft

strategic plan presented in this notice.

These comments will be used to help

form a strategic implementation plan to

direct the division’s research program

during the next five years.

DATES: Written comments will be

accepted through November 30, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Please direct all written

comments to the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration, Docket

Section, Room 5111, Docket # 97–062-

N01, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.,

Washington, DC 20590. (Docket hours

are from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm.) Comments

submitted to the docket will become a

matter of public record.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jesse Blatt, Office of Research and

Traffic Records (NTS–30), Room 6240,

400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington,

DC 20590. (Telephone 202–366–5588 or

Email at jblatt@nhtsa.dot.gov)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: More than

3 million persons were reported injured

and over 40 thousand persons died in

motor vehicle crashes in 1996 (Traffic

Safety Facts: 1996, National Center for

Statistics and Analysis). While a small

proportion of the crashes causing these

injuries and fatalities were attributed to

vehicle and roadway problems, the vast

majority were caused by human