[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 20689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-8136]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration

[Docket No. FHWA-2012-0032]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments 
for a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to 
request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new 
information collection, which is summarized below under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal 
Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Please submit comments by June 4, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID 2012-
0032 by any of the following methods:
    Web Site: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
    Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
    Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    Hand Delivery or Courier: U.S. Department of Transportation, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Ferroni, 202-366-9237, Office of 
Natural Environment, Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. 
Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: FHWA Traffic Noise Model Version 3.0 
Beta-Tester Information.
    Background: Prior to the release of the Federal Highway 
Administration Traffic Noise Model (FHWA TNM), the FHWA Highway Traffic 
Noise Prediction Model (FHWA-RD-77-108), or ``108 model,'' was in use 
for over 20 years. Although an effective model for its time, the ``108 
model'' was comprised of acoustic algorithms, computer architecture, 
and source code that dated to the 1970s. Since that time, significant 
advancements have been made in the methodology and technology for noise 
prediction, barrier analysis and design, and computer software design 
and coding. Given the fact that over $500 million were spent on barrier 
design and construction between 1970 and 1990, the FHWA identified the 
need to design, develop, test, and document a state-of-the-art highway 
traffic noise prediction model that utilized these advancements. This 
need for a new traffic noise prediction model resulted in the FHWA TNM.
    In March 1998, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) released 
the Traffic Noise Model, Version 1.0 (FHWA TNM[supreg]). It was 
developed as a means for aiding compliance with policies and procedures 
under FHWA regulations. Since its release in March 1998, Version 1.0a 
was released in March 1999, Version 1.0b in August 1999, Version 1.1 in 
September 2000, Version 2.0 in June 2002, Version 2.1 in March 2003 and 
the current version, Version 2.5 in April 2004.
    The FHWA is currently developing the TNM version 3.0, with an 
anticipated beta-testing of this version towards the end of 2012. 
Version 3.0 is an entirely new, state-of-the-art computer program used 
for predicting noise impacts in the vicinity of highways. It uses 
advances in personal computer hardware and software to improve upon the 
accuracy and ease of modeling highway noise, including the design of 
effective, cost-efficient highway noise barriers. This information 
request is to gather information from the beta-testers on their 
computer configurations, their experience using the FWHA TNM and 
availability of TNM files.
    Respondents: Approximately 25 entities.
    Frequency: Once.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: Approximately 15 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: Approximately 6.25 hours.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection is necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of 
the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, 
usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that 
the burden could be minimized, including the use of electronic 
technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information. 
The agency will summarize and/or include your comments in the request 
for OMB's clearance of this information collection.

    Authority:  The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. 
Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued On: March 30, 2012.
Juli Huynh,
Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.
[FR Doc. 2012-8136 Filed 4-4-12; 8:45 am]
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