Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 8737 

days to 90-days. Recipients receive 

notification from their Division Office of 

these changes and are notified on the 

FMIS opening page message board after 

sign in. 

• California Department of

Transportation 

Æ Caltrans recommends that state 

requests for agreement modifications 

resulting in net-zero obligation be 

allowed when the unobligated 

apportionment balance is less than the 

obligation amount of the request, 

without considering the de-obligation 

portion. 

Æ Response: The Fiscal Management 

Information System (FMIS) must 

validate funding availability in FMIS 

and Delphi. In the instance of a deobligation when unobligated 

apportionment balance is zero or less 

than the obligation request, FMIS 

indicates an over-obligation error until 

the de-obligation is posted to Delphi. 

Once posted to Delphi, new obligations 

may occur up to the unobligated 

balance. 

Title: Preparation and Execution of 

the Project Agreement and 

Modifications. 

OMB Control #: 2125–0529. 

Background: Formal agreements 

between State Transportation 

Departments and the FHWA are 

required for Federal-aid highway 

projects. These agreements, referred to 

as ‘‘project agreements’’ are written 

contracts between the State and the 

Federal government that define the 

extent of work to be undertaken and 

commitments made concerning a 

highway project. Section 1305 of the 

Transportation Equity Act for the 21st 

Century (TEA–21, Pub. L. 105–178) 

amended 23 U.S.C. 106(a) and 

combined authorization of work and 

execution of the project agreement for a 

Federal-aid project into a single action. 

States continue to have the flexibility to 

use whatever format is suitable to 

provide the statutory information 

required, and burden estimates for this 

information collection are not changed. 

Respondents: There are 56 

respondents, including 50 State 

Transportation Departments, the District 

of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 

Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the 

Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the 

Virgin Islands and American Samoa. 

Depending on the size of and activity in 

the above government agencies, the 

number of project agreements executed 

in any agency ranges between 10 and 

1,500. 

Frequency: On an on-going basis as 

project agreements are written. 

Estimated Average Burden per 

Response: There is a total of 23,809 

agreements per year. Each agreement 

requires 1 hour to complete. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: Total estimated average annual 

burden is 23,809 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: February 5, 2024. 

Jazmyne Lewis, 

Information Collection Officer. 

[FR Doc. 2024–02572 Filed 2–7–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2024–0061] 

Request for Information Concerning 

the Study of Sexual Assault and 

Sexual Harassment in the Commercial 

Motor Vehicle Industry 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice; request for information. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA is planning to 

undertake a study to understand and 

quantify the prevalence and severity of 

sexual assault and sexual harassment 

(SASH) experienced across the 

commercial motor vehicle (CMV) 

industry, particularly among drivers. 

FMCSA seeks information on how best 

to design and conduct a study to 

identify, categorize, and assess context 

and trends of SASH in the CMV 

industry. FMCSA is particularly 

interested in how to support women 

currently in these jobs and those seeking 

to enter the CMV industry. This RFI 

seeks information on how best to 

approach this study holistically in terms 

of statistical sampling, study design, 

and administering the appropriate data 

collection efforts. For example, FMCSA 

seeks information on how best to treat 

categories of gender, sexual orientation, 

and ethnicity in the study, as well as 

best practices in designing questions 

that use the latest standards for SASH 

research and address the breadth and 

lifecycles of careers in the CMV 

industry. This study builds on 

recommendations from FMCSA’s 

Women of Trucking Advisory Board 

(WOTAB) to better understand problems 

of SASH among drivers, thereby helping 

identify possible countermeasures. 

FMCSA will use the results of this study 

to understand any potential regulatory 

or policy measures needed to improve 

driver safety and mitigate SASH; work 

with industry partners on outreach and 

other efforts to improve driver safety 

through SASH prevention; and support 

the participation of women in the CMV 

industry. 

DATES: Comments on this notice must be 

received on or before March 11, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by Docket Number FMCSA– 

2024–0061 using any of the following 

methods: 

• Go to https://www.regulations.gov/

docket/FMCSA-2024-0061/document. 

Follow the online instructions for 

submitting comments. 

• Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S.

Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 

Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. 

• Hand Delivery or Courier: Dockets

Operations, U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, West Building, Ground 

Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

To be sure someone is there to help you, 

please call (202) 366–9317 or (202) 366– 

9826 before visiting Dockets Operations. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Nicole Katsikides, Ph.D., Senior 

Transportation Specialist, Research 

Division, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001; (202) 940–6645; Nicole.

Katsikides@dot.gov. If you have 

questions on viewing or submitting 

material to the docket, contact Dockets 

Operations at (202) 366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FMCSA 

organizes this notice as follows: 

I. Public Participation and Request for

Comments

A. Submitting Comments

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

C. Privacy Act

D. Comments on the Information

Collection


lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
8738 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 

1Chartered by the Secretary of Transportation on 

February 11, 2022, WOTAB is charged with 

reviewing and reporting on policies that provide 

education, training, mentorship, or outreach to 

women in the trucking industry and to improve 

recruitment, retention, or advancement of women 

in the trucking industry (https://www.fmcsa.dot.

gov/wotab). 

2https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/advisorycommittees/wotab/wotab-meetings. 

3https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/research-andanalysis/crime-prevention-truckers-study. 

4https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/advisorycommittees/wotab/national-womens-law-centerpublic-comment. 

5https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/advisorycommittees/wotab/futures-without-violence-publiccomment. 

6https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/mission/advisorycommittees/wotab/real-women-trucking-publiccomment-solutions-address-sexual. 

II. Background

III. Request for Information

I. Public Participation and Request for

Comments

FMCSA encourages you to participate 

by submitting comments and related 

materials. 

A. Submitting Comments

If you submit a comment, please

include the docket number for this 

notice (FMCSA–2024–0061), indicate 

the specific section of this document to 

which your comment applies, and 

provide a reason for each suggestion or 

recommendation. You may submit your 

comments and material online or by fax, 

mail, or hand delivery, but please use 

only one of these means. FMCSA 

recommends that you include your 

name and a mailing address, an email 

address, or a phone number in the body 

of your document so FMCSA can 

contact you if there are questions 

regarding your submission. 

To submit your comment online, go to 

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FMCSA-2024-0061/document, click on 

this notice, click ‘‘Comment,’’ and type 

your comment into the text box on the 

following screen. 

If you submit your comments by mail 

or hand delivery, submit them in an 

unbound format, no larger than 81⁄2 by 

11 inches, suitable for copying and 

electronic filing. 

FMCSA will consider all comments 

and material received during the 

comment period. 

Confidential Business Information (CBI) 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from 

public disclosure. If your comments 

responsive to the notice contain 

commercial or financial information 

that is customarily treated as private, 

that you actually treat as private, and 

that is relevant or responsive to the 

notice, it is important that you clearly 

designate the submitted comments as 

CBI. Please mark each page of your 

submission that constitutes CBI as 

‘‘PROPIN’’ to indicate it contains 

proprietary information. FMCSA will 

treat such marked submissions as 

confidential under the Freedom of 

Information Act, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of the 

Notice. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Brian Dahlin, Chief, 

Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office 

of Policy, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590–0001 

or via email at brian.g.dahlin@dot.gov. 

At this time, you need not send a 

duplicate hardcopy of your electronic 

CBI submissions to FMCSA 

headquarters. Any comments FMCSA 

receives not specifically designated as 

CBI will be placed in the public docket 

for this notice. 

B. Viewing Comments and Documents

To view any documents mentioned as

being available in the docket, go to 

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FMCSA-2024-0061/document and 

choose the document to review. To view 

comments, click this notice, then click 

‘‘Browse Comments.’’ If you do not have 

access to the internet, you may view the 

docket online by visiting Dockets 

Operations on the ground floor of the 

DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. To be sure someone is there to 

help you, please call (202) 366–9317 or 

(202) 366–9826 before visiting Dockets

Operations.

C. Privacy Act

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(c),

DOT solicits comments from the public 

to better inform its regulatory process. 

DOT posts these comments, including 

any personal information the 

commenter provides, to 

www.regulations.gov as described in the 

system of records notice DOT/ALL 14 

(Federal Docket Management System 

(FDMS)), which can be reviewed at 

https://www.transportation.gov/ 

individuals/privacy/privacy-act-systemrecords-notices. The comments are 

posted without edit and are searchable 

by the name of the submitter. 

II. Background

SASH are long-standing challenges for

the CMV driving community, 

particularly for women. Addressing 

these challenges is a priority for the 

Department, FMCSA, and WOTAB.1 2

Through previous research efforts, 

FMCSA sought to understand, 

characterize, and assess the prevalence 

and severity of SASH within the CMV 

industry. FMCSA had little information 

on the breadth of SASH problems in the 

industry or recommendations for 

solutions, and a study, Crime Prevention 

for Truckers Study, helped frame the 

issues, including how to best support 

women in CMV careers through 

countermeasures designed to mitigate 

SASH.3 Further, this study evaluated 

harassment of women and minority men 

truckers with incidents among nonminority men serving as a control group. 

The study found that harassment and 

crime against drivers are prevalent. 

Drivers reported a range of harassment 

types, such as being called offensive 

names or threatened with weapons. 

Further, harassment is not limited by 

gender and race, as the study found it 

extends to religion, lifestyle, and sexual 

orientation. The study concluded that 

women truck drivers are particularly 

vulnerable to crimes that are sexual in 

nature and are more likely to experience 

harassment from another truck driver or 

from trainers. Crimes against women 

truck drivers are more likely to happen 

at night, though they also occur 

throughout the day and cycle of a 

driver’s run. 

The study further found that many 

harassment incidents go unreported, but 

women are reporting more than men. 

Most respondents said that they did not 

think reporting harassment would make 

a difference. Many felt there might be 

retaliation or problems in some way, 

and they chose not to report the 

incident(s). However, women truck 

drivers were found to be two to four 

times more likely to report being 

touched without permission compared 

to non-minority men, and minority 

women were up to nine times more 

likely to report being physically harmed 

compared to non-minority men. Nonminority women are two to six times as 

likely than non-minority men to be 

touched without permission. The study 

included recommendations that were 

taken from the survey respondents’ 

comments (although these 

recommendations were not evaluated to 

determine feasibility, appropriateness, 

and most importantly, their ability to 

improve driver safety). 

When the study was released, 

WOTAB received several comments, 

formally and informally, from industry 

groups and organizations focused on 

researching and stopping violence 

against women and SASH.456 These 

organizations expressed concern that 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 27 / Thursday, February 8, 2024 / Notices 8739 

the FMCSA study was not 

comprehensive and that more questions 

needed to be asked to determine the full 

nature of the SASH problem. Key areas 

of concern included: 

1. Sample design and categories of

gender, sexual orientation, and 

ethnicity. 

2. Types of questions asked to capture

SASH and not using the latest standards 

in SASH research to design questions. 

3. Development of appropriate and

evaluated recommendations to inform 

actions for SASH prevention. 

While the study framed the SASH 

issues in the industry and provided 

some preliminary data to understand 

magnitude, WOTAB’s discussions on 

the study and other issues for women in 

the CMV industry indicated a need for 

additional research, especially to 

support improved participation of 

women in CMV careers. Additional 

research was suggested to support 

potential policy changes that would 

address improvements to current 

practices and reporting methods for 

drivers related to SASH, and to establish 

improved outreach and safety resources. 

WOTAB noted in particular that it is 

important to understand SASH with 

additional depth and breadth to ensure 

there is an awareness of the magnitude 

of SASH across the industry. 

Therefore, FMCSA seeks to develop a 

comprehensive, expanded study that 

achieves a deeper framing and 

understanding of baseline data and 

issues related to SASH. FMCSA seeks 

input from stakeholders to help in the 

design of a new study. 

III. Request for Information

In developing the SASH study,

FMCSA seeks input on the elements 

that should be included or considered. 

Please include answers to the following 

questions in your response: 

1. What is the optimal study design to

capture SASH information within the 

CMV industry, particularly among 

drivers? FMCSA is considering a survey 

and interview approach, as well as 

potential peer reviews of findings at key 

milestones throughout the study. What 

type of study design will best 

characterize the nature and scope of 

sexual assault and sexual harassment 

within the CMV industry that can be 

used to develop appropriate 

countermeasures? 

2. What are best practices or methods

for capturing gender identity 

information? 

3. What are best practices to consider

when asking demographic questions 

about sexual orientation and ethnicity? 

4. Are there other categories of

participant demographics that would 

improve the study (e.g., education, age, 

income, length of time in position (or in 

the industry), segment of the CMV 

industry, geographic region of 

operation, etc.)? Please be specific and 

provide rationale for including such 

questions, including how they may be 

used in characterizing the SASH 

problem and developing 

countermeasures and recommendations. 

5. Who should be included (i.e.,

targeted stakeholders) in a SASH study 

for the CMV industry? 

6. What options exist to best

incorporate stakeholder input and 

feedback throughout the study (e.g., 

surveys, individual interviews, focus 

groups, or other formats)? 

7. What research is available for

designing and administering questions 

about SASH (e.g., style of questions, 

sequencing, repetition, phrasing, etc.)? 

8. What are the best methods to

capture SASH issues and trends 

throughout the evolution of one’s career 

(trainee, driver, other positions across 

the CMV industry (e.g., manager, 

trainer, scheduler, safety employee, 

retiree, those who have left the 

industry)? 

9. What are the optimum methods to

capture the breadth of SASH? What 

categories of questions should FMCSA 

include that will ensure a 

comprehensive approach to the issue? 

10. What are good practices for

informing stakeholders and the public at 

key milestones during a long study? 

How can FMCSA best disseminate 

information (e.g., literature review, 

preliminary results) to keep 

stakeholders informed without 

compromising the integrity of the study? 

Issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 

1.87. 

Sue Lawless, 

Acting Deputy Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2024–02539 Filed 2–7–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Railroad Administration 

[Emergency Order No. 33, Notice No.1] 

Emergency Order To Prevent 

Operation of Trains and Other OnTrack Rail Equipment on Blackwell 

Northern Gateway Railroad 

SUMMARY: The Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA) of the United 

States Department of Transportation has 

determined that public safety compels 

the issuance of an Emergency Order 

(Order) requiring the Blackwell 

Northern Gateway Railroad (BNGR) of 

Blackwell, Oklahoma, to discontinue 

operation of all trains, locomotives, and 

any other on-track rail vehicles or 

equipment under any circumstances 

over any track BNGR leases or owns, 

including the rail line extending from 

milepost (MP) 0.09 at Wellington, 

Kansas, to MP 35.35 at Blackwell, 

Oklahoma, and from MP 127.0 to MP 

125.0 at Blackwell until BNGR complies 

with all requirements of this Order. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Christian Holt, Staff Director, Operating 

Practices Division, Office of Railroad 

Safety at (202) 366–0978 or Christian.

Holt@dot.gov; Elliott Gillooly, Attorney 

Adviser, Office of the Chief Counsel, at 

(202) 897–8666 or Elliott.Gillooly@

dot.gov; or Veronica Chittim, Attorney

Adviser, Office of the Chief Counsel, at

(202) 480–3410 or Veronica.Chittim@

dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Introduction 

As provided below, FRA has 

determined that public safety compels 

the issuance of this Order requiring 

BNGR to discontinue operations of all 

trains, locomotives, or any other ontrack rail vehicles or equipment under 

any circumstances over any track it 

leases or owns, including the rail line 

extending from MP 0.09 at Wellington, 

Kansas, to MP 35.35 at Blackwell, 

Oklahoma, and from MP 127.0 to MP 

125.0 at Blackwell until BNGR complies 

with all requirements of this Order. 

Authority 

Authority to enforce Federal railroad 

safety laws has been delegated by the 

U.S. Secretary of Transportation 

(Secretary) to the Administrator of FRA. 

49 U.S.C. 103; 49 CFR 1.89(e). Railroads 

are subject to FRA’s safety jurisdiction 

under the Federal railroad safety laws. 

49 U.S.C. 20101, 20103. FRA is 

authorized to issue emergency orders 

where ‘‘an unsafe condition or practice, 

or a combination of unsafe conditions 

and practices, causes an emergency 

situation involving a hazard of death, 

personal injury, or significant harm to 

the environment.’’ 49 U.S.C. 20104. 

Emergency orders may immediately 

impose ‘‘restrictions and prohibitions 

. . . that may be necessary to abate the 

situation.’’ Id. 

Background 

BNGR operates on approximately 37 

miles of rail line owned by the 

Oklahoma Department of Transportation 

(ODOT) and the Blackwell Industrial 

Authority (BIA). The line extends from 

Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Wellington, 

Kansas, where BNGR interchanges with 


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