[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 40581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20231]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration
[Docket No. FHWA-98-4077]


Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the 
intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget's 
(OMB) approval of a new information collection. This information 
collection will be used to: (1) Gather information from motor carriers 
regarding their expectations/experience with compliance reviews 
conducted by the FHWA Office of Motor Carriers (OMC); and (2) provide a 
baseline to measure improvements in customer satisfaction. The 
information collected from the survey will help the OMC assess the 
usefulness of the compliance review process, including whether the 
reviews are being conducted in a business-like manner, and what 
additional services and information the OMC could provide.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 28, 1998.

ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket 
number that appears in the heading of this document and must be 
submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received 
will be available for examination at the above address between 10:00 
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Those desiring notification of receipt of comments must 
include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or postcard.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tony Schafer, (202) 366-2953, 
Office of Motor Carriers, Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Office 
hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Motor Carrier Assessment of Compliance Reviews.
    Background: The mission of the FHWA's OMC is to promote safe 
transportation of passengers and goods on the Nation's highways. In the 
performance of its duties, the OMC conducts periodic compliance reviews 
with motor carriers in each State. The reviews are normally held at the 
motor carrier's principal place of business. Compliance reviews are 
investigations of the carrier's operation to determine whether they 
meet the safety fitness standards. To meet the safety fitness 
standards, a motor carrier must demonstrate that it has adequate safety 
management controls in place which function effectively to ensure 
acceptable compliance with applicable safety requirements. Upon 
completion of a compliance review, FHWA assigns the carrier either a 
satisfactory, conditional, or unsatisfactory rating. A satisfactory 
rating means the carrier has established and is using adequate safety 
management controls that meet FHWA's safety fitness standards. A 
conditional rating means a carrier has adequate controls that could 
result in violations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. 
An unsatisfactory rating means that the carrier has inadequate controls 
that have resulted in violations of the regulations. Compliance reviews 
can result in enforcement actions against a carrier for violations of 
safety regulations. A civil fine is a primary enforcement tool used by 
the FHWA to induce regulatory compliance.
    A survey of selected review participants will provide the 
information necessary for the OMC to assess these compliance reviews so 
that ongoing improvements to the compliance review process can be 
accomplished. The information will be collected on a standardized 
questionnaire, via mail or by telephone. Respondents will be advised of 
the purpose for the survey and the confidentiality of their responses, 
either by an accompanying letter or orally by telephone. The 
questionnaire will request respondents to provide information 
pertaining to the compliance review process (i.e., notification, 
purpose and length of the review). The information will be collected 
from motor carriers shortly after FHWA or State officials complete a 
compliance review. It is estimated that approximately 9,200 compliance 
reviews are conducted annually. Of the 9,200 reviews, surveys will be 
conducted for approximately 1,500 reviews. The results of the surveys 
will be analyzed and presented in a report to the management of the 
OMC. This report will be used for ongoing improvements to the 
compliance review process.
    Respondents: The individuals asked to respond to the survey will be 
the motor carrier employee who signed for receipt of the compliance 
review.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 250 hours.
    Frequency: Collection will occur following completion of each of 
the 1,500 reviews which will be identified for the survey.
    Public Comments Invited: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including, but not limited to: (1) The necessity and utility of the 
information collection for the proper performance of the functions of 
the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) 
ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's 
clearance of this information collection.
    Electronic Availability: An electronic copy of this document may be 
downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the 
Federal Register electronic bulletin board service (telephone number: 
202-512-1661). Internet users may reach the Federal Register's WWW site 
at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su__docs.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322(a), 329(a), 31133(a); and 49 CFR 1.48.

    Issued on: July 23, 1998.
George S. Moore, Jr.,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-20231 Filed 7-28-98; 8:45 am]
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