95908 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 3, 2024 / Notices 

in the Executive Summary of the 

TrAMS application. 

As part of completing the annual 

certifications and assurances required of 

FTA grant recipients, a successful 

applicant must report on the suspension 

or debarment status of itself and its 

principals. 

If the award recipient’s active grants, 

cooperative agreements, and 

procurement contracts from all Federal 

awarding agencies exceed $10,000,000 

for any period during the period of 

performance of an award made pursuant 

to this notice, the recipient must comply 

with the Recipient Integrity and 

Performance Matters reporting 

requirements described in appendix XII 

to 2 CFR part 200. 

4. Termination for Failure To Make 

Progress on an Award 

After providing written notice to the 

recipient of a project selected for 

funding, FTA may withdraw its support 

for the selected project (if a cooperative 

agreement has not yet been awarded) or 

suspend or terminate all or any part of 

the Federal assistance for the award if 

the recipient has failed to make 

reasonable progress implementing the 

project. FTA may withdraw its support 

for a project or terminate an award 

agreement if, among other reasons: 

1. A recipient has not completed its 

application for funding in TrAMS 

within 60 days of the date FTA 

announces project selection. 

2. A recipient has not begun its 

demonstration project within one year 

after funding was awarded in TrAMS. 

3. A recipient has not delivered a 

project evaluation to FTA within one 

year of completing its demonstration 

project. 

4. FTA may also withdraw support 

from a project or terminate an award 

agreement if the proposed activities are 

no longer needed or if the recipient has 

violated the terms of FTA’s Annual 

Agreement. 

G. Federal Awarding Agency Contacts 

For further information concerning 

this notice, please contact the T2 

Program Manager, FTA Office of 

Research, Demonstration, and 

Innovation, by email at 

shapell.randolph@dot.gov. A TDD is 

available for individuals who are deaf or 

hard of hearing at 800–877–8339. In 

addition, FTA will post answers to 

questions and requests for clarifications 

on FTA’s website at: https://

www.transit.dot.gov/researchinnovation. 

To ensure applicants receive accurate 

eligibility information, applicants are 

encouraged to contact FTA directly, 

rather than through intermediaries or 

third parties, with questions. FTA staff 

may also conduct briefings on the FY 

2024 competitive grants selection and 

award process upon request. 

For issues with grants.gov, please 

contact grants.gov by phone at 1–800– 

518–4726 or by email at support@

grants.gov. 

H. Other Information 

This program is not subject to 

Executive Order 12372, 

‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal 

Programs.’’ There are resources 

available that may help in responding to 

this notice, as listed below. The FTA 

website has information about FTA, 

application forms, statutory and 

administrative requirements, etc. 

Applicants are encouraged to use the 

FTA link provided and other 

information, as listed, as much as is 

needed. 

Veronica Vanterpool, 

Deputy Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2024–28271 Filed 12–2–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–57–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Office of the Secretary 

[DOT–OST–2024–0133] 

Request for Information on US DOT’s 

Transportation Community Explorer 

(TC Explorer) Tool and Index 

Methodology 

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary (OST), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Request for information. 

SUMMARY: The Department of 

Transportation is issuing this request for 

information (RFI) to solicit feedback on 

DOT’s updated Transportation 

Community Explorer (TC Explorer) Tool 

and Index methodology developed to 

assist communities in their project 

selection process and grant 

development. 

DATES: Responses to this RFI should be 

received by December 16, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Comments should refer to 

the docket number above and submitted 

by one of the following methods: 

• Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building 

Ground Floor, Room W12–140, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001. 

• Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, West Building Ground 

Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC, 

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

through Friday, except Federal 

Holidays. 

Instructions: For detailed instructions 

on submitting comments, see the Public 

Participation heading of the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 

this document. Note that all comments 

received will be posted without change 

to https://www.regulations.gov, 

including any personal information 

provided. 

Privacy Act: Except as provided 

below, all comments received into the 

docket will be made public in their 

entirety. The comments will be 

searchable by the name of the 

individual submitting the comment (or 

signing the comment, if submitted on 

behalf of an association, business, labor 

union, etc.). You should not include 

information in your comment that you 

do not want to be made public. For 

information on DOT’s compliance with 

the Privacy Act, please visit https://

www.transportation.gov/privacy. 

Docket: For access to the docket to 

read background documents or 

comments received, go to https://

www.regulations.gov or the street 

address listed above. Follow the online 

instructions for accessing the dockets. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

further information, please contact 

Kristin Wood, 774–293–2726. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

The TC Explorer is data driven tool 

that allows communities to better 

identify transportation investments that 

can benefit communities, including 

rural and Tribal communities, across a 

variety of factors. When done right, 

transportation policy can transform 

economies, connect people to 

opportunities, and empower 

underserved communities to build 

generational wealth for the future. 

In January 2022, DOT developed its 

first tool to measure how communities 

were experiencing transportation related 

disadvantage; then, in April 2023, the 

Department launched an updated 

version of the tool titled the DOT 

Equitable Transportation Community 

Explorer (ETC Explorer v1.1), which 

included an updated format and 

methodology. The Department is 

currently seeking to make updates that 

improve the usefulness and accuracy of 

the tool, particularly for rural and tribal 

communities, and rename the tool as the 

Transportation Community (TC) 

Explorer. 

Over the last year and a half, DOT 

received feedback on the TC Explorer 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 3, 2024 / Notices 95909 

through various RFIs, public meetings 

and other venues. All comments and 

recommendations were considered in 

the proposed update of the tool (TC 

Explorer). The proposed updates fall 

into six categories: 

1. Updated Methodologies: 

a. DOT consolidated the current tool’s 

five components of disadvantage into 

three: 

i. Transportation Insecurity—When 

people are unable to get to where they 

need to go to meet the needs of their 

daily life regularly, reliably, affordably, 

and safely. Sub-components comprising 

Transportation Insecurity are cost 

burden, vehicle access vulnerability, 

destination access vulnerability and 

traffic fatality burden. 

ii. Place-Based Burden—The 

disadvantage inherent in a location and 

experienced by all residents of the 

location. Sub-components comprising 

Place-Based Burden are extreme 

weather hazard, proximity to 

infrastructure, air pollution, and surface 

pollution. 

iii. Population-Based Vulnerability— 

The disadvantage experienced by a 

population due to demographic and 

socioeconomic traits that make them 

particularly vulnerable. Subcomponents comprising PopulationBased Vulnerability are communication, 

employment, income, housing, and 

health vulnerabilities. 

b. DOT modified the normalization 

method used to process raw indicator 

data for inclusion in disadvantage 

scores to better account for the effects of 

outliers in the data. 

c. DOT has made significant updates 

to the transportation insecurity 

methodology. These updates are 

reflected in both the TC Explorer 

National and States results, as well as in 

the Transportation Insecurity Analysis 

Tool (TIAT). 

d. DOT has updated its Climate 

methodology using the Climate and 

Transportation Vulnerabilities 

Methodology from the Fifth National 

Climate Assessment. 

2. Updated Data: 

a. The tool has been updated with the 

most recent data available. (* note: 

When the updated tool is formally 

released this winter, it will contain the 

2019–2023 American Community 

Survey 5-year estimate data, if 

available.) 

b. Roads data has been divided into 

two categories, for freeways and 

expressways and for high-traffic roads 

as reported by the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA) Highway 

Performance Management System. 

c. Data sets that contain data for all 50 

states have been used. 

d. Some data sets have been replaced 

to better represent/measure how a 

community is experiencing 

transportation disadvantage. Some 

examples of those are— 

i. Income Inequality. 

ii. Housing Condition. 

iii. Access Burden. 

iv. Climate. 

3. Updated Display: DOT seeks to 

improve the interface display to 

increase the user interface with the new 

version of the TC Explorer. Updates to 

the display include: 

a. State and County Selectors are 

provided. 

b. Statistics related to residents and 

tracts appears at the top right of the tool. 

c. Tabs appear at the bottom right of 

the tool include: Overall Disadvantage, 

Transportation Insecurity, Place-Based 

Burden, Population-Based Insecurity 

and Raw Data. 

d. Instead of bar charts, scores for 

each component and sub-component are 

provided on a dial. The scores still 

represent a project area’s disadvantage 

rating in relation to all other census 

tracts. 

e. The Raw Data tab replaces the 

current version’s pop-up databoxes. It 

displays the salient raw indicator data 

for the selected project area. 

4. Updated Display Layers: DOT seeks 

to improve the organization of layers to 

improve usability by consolidating 

multiple layers of a similar theme into 

one layer. For example, in the current 

tool users click on seven layers to see 

the intercity bus network. In the 

proposed updates, users will only need 

to click on one layer titled ‘‘intercity 

bus’’. 

5. Removing the ‘‘Add Your Data’’ 

Tab: DOT found through the comments 

and interface with users that this feature 

was not used and further caused 

confusion for non-GIS users. The data is 

available for download and can be 

integrated on a user’s platform to 

integrate with localized data if needed. 

6. Updated Transportation Insecurity 

Analysis Tool (TIAT): Comprehensive 

updates have been made to the tool’s 

functionality and display. As mentioned 

earlier, DOT’s transportation insecurity 

methodology has been updated, which 

is reflected in the TIAT. 

The TC Explorer and TIAT mapping 

tools, index methodologies, and datasets 

are available at https://

experience.arcgis.com/experience/

836cf87c91344bb991a1b149873f27af. 

II. Key Questions for Input 

Through this request for information, 

DOT seeks input, information, and 

individual recommendations on DOT’s 

proposed updates to the TC Explorer 

from a broad array of stakeholders in the 

public sector, including state, Tribal, 

and local governments, and territorial 

areas, and in the private sector, 

including advocacy, businesses, not-forprofit, academic, and philanthropic 

organizations, as well as from any other 

interested parties. DOT will use 

responses to this RFI to consider both 

the current proposed and additional 

updates to the TC Explorer. After DOT 

has updated the tool with any 

appropriate modifications, the tool will 

supersede the current version of the TC 

Explorer tool. Respondents to this RFI 

do not need to address every question, 

but DOT welcomes input in the 

following areas: 

1. Methodology: Please refer to DOT’s 

website for more information regarding 

the tool’s updated methodology 

available at https://experience.

arcgis.com/experience/836cf87c

91344bb991a1b149873f27af/page/Dataand-Methodology-Download/. Please 

provide comments and specific 

recommendations for improving the 

methodology. 

2. Datasets: Data in this version of the 

tool provides measures in the areas of 

Transportation Insecurity, Place-Based 

Burden, and Population-Based 

Vulnerability available at https://

experience.arcgis.com/experience/

836cf87c91344bb991a1b149873f27af. 

A. What recommendations for 

additional datasets would enhance and 

improve upon the set of indicators 

currently used? In any comments 

submitted, please include— 

i. Why and how the data 

recommendations would improve upon 

the current set of data and/or indicators 

used in the tool. 

ii. Full information regarding data 

sources (including URL, and source 

government agency and/or 

organization); 

iii. Intended measure—what does the 

dataset and/or indicator measure (for 

example, pollution exposure or 

emissions, health conditions, 

transportation access, etc.)? 

B. Scope—does the recommended 

data and/or indicator include data from 

all 50 states and territories? If not, 

please provide comments as to how to 

address the issue. 

C. A summary of the quality (i.e., 

completeness, accuracy, consistency, 

and reliability) of the data for use in the 

tool; and 

D. Geographic resolution of the data 

(i.e., census block, census block group, 

census tract, zip code, county, etc.). 

E. Is this data set publicly available? 

3. Map Usability and Accessibility. 

The US DOT Transportation 

Community Explorer map available at 


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95910 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 232 / Tuesday, December 3, 2024 / Notices 

https://experience.arcgis.com/ 

experience/836cf87c91344bb991a1b

149873f27af provides an online 

geospatial platform that gives the user 

the capability to identify the 

communities identified as 

disadvantaged. DOT is soliciting 

information regarding usability and 

accessibility of the updated geospatial 

platform as follows: 

i. What modifications can improve the 

usability, accessibility, or design of the 

mapping functions that display the data 

and results? 

ii. Are there specific features or 

functions that will enhance the usability 

of the interactive map by community 

members and organizations, government 

staff, and other stakeholders? 

iii. Are there additional resources 

DOT should consider developing to 

help users understand the data included 

in the tool and how to use it in project 

selection decisions and grant 

applications? 

4. Additional Feedback: 

i. Does the tool’s name reflect its 

purpose? 

ii. DOT seeks any additional feedback 

on the updated TC Explorer tool. 

Please note: This version of the 

Transportation Community Explorer 

map has been developed for illustrative 

purposes to demonstrate the proposed 

index methodology. It is subject to 

change following the public comment 

period. 

III. Public Participation 

How do I prepare and submit 

comments? 

To ensure that your comments are 

filed correctly, please include the 

docket number provided in (xx) in your 

comments. Please submit one copy (two 

copies if submitting by mail or hand 

delivery) of your comments, including 

any attachments, to the docket following 

the instructions given above under 

ADDRESSES. Please note, if you are 

submitting comments electronically as a 

PDF (Adobe) file, we ask that the 

documents submitted be scanned using 

an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) 

process, thus allowing the Agency to 

search and copy certain portions of your 

submissions. 

How do I submit confidential business 

information? 

Any submissions containing 

Confidential Information must be 

delivered to DOT in the following 

manner: 

• Submitted in a sealed envelope 

marked ‘‘confidential treatment 

requested;’’ 

• Document(s) or information that the 

submitter would like withheld from the 

public docket should be marked 

‘‘PROPIN’’ for ‘‘proprietary 

information;’’ 

• Accompanied by an index listing 

the document(s) or information that the 

submitter would like the Departments to 

withhold. The index should include 

information such as numbers used to 

identify the relevant document(s) or 

information, document title and 

description, and relevant page numbers 

and/or section numbers within a 

document; and 

• Submitted with a statement 

explaining the submitter’s grounds for 

objecting to disclosing the information 

to the public. 

DOT will treat such marked 

submissions as confidential consistent 

with the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) and not include them in the 

public docket. DOT also requests that 

submitters of Confidential Information 

include a non-confidential version 

(either redacted or summarized) of those 

confidential submissions in the public 

docket. If the submitter cannot provide 

a non-confidential version of its 

submission, DOT requests that the 

submitter post a notice in the docket 

stating that it has provided DOT with 

Confidential Information. Should a 

submitter fail to docket either a 

nonconfidential version of its 

submission or to post a notice that 

Confidential Information has been 

provided, we will note the receipt of the 

submission on the docket, with the 

submitter’s organization or name (to the 

degree permitted by law) and the date 

of submission. 

Will the Agency consider late 

comments? 

DOT will consider all comments 

received before the close of business on 

the comment closing date indicated 

above under DATES. To the extent 

practicable, DOT will also consider 

comments received after that date. 

How can I read the comments submitted 

by other people? 

You may read the comments received 

by contacting the Dockets office at the 

address provided in the ADDRESSES

section. The hours of the Docket office 

are indicated in the ADDRESSES section. 

You may also see the comments on the 

internet, identified by the docket 

number at the heading of this notice, at 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

Please note, this RFI is a planning 

document and will serve as such. The 

RFI should not be construed as policy, 

a solicitation for applications, or an 

obligation on the part of the 

government. 

Signed in Washington, DC, on November 

26, 2024. 

Christopher Coes, 

Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, 

Department of Transportation. 

[FR Doc. 2024–28280 Filed 12–2–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Bureau of the Fiscal Service 

Application and Renewal Fees 

Imposed on Surety Companies and 

Reinsuring Companies; Increase in 

Fees Imposed 

AGENCY: Bureau of the Fiscal Service, 

Treasury. 

ACTION: Notice of fees imposed on surety 

companies and reinsuring companies. 

SUMMARY: The Department of the 

Treasury, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, 

is adding renewal fees for 

Complementary and Alien Reinsurers as 

well as Admitted Reinsurer— 

Reinsurance Market companies and 

increasing the existing fees it imposes 

on and collects from surety companies 

and reinsuring companies, effective 

January 1, 2025. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Melvin Saunders, at (304) 480–5108 or 

melvin.saunders@fiscal.treasury.gov; or 

Bobbi McDonald, at (304) 480–7098 or 

bobbi.mcdonald@fiscal.treasury.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

Independent Offices Appropriations Act 

of 1952 (IOAA), codified at 31 U.S.C. 

9701, authorizes Federal agencies to 

establish fees for a service or thing of 

value provided by the agency to 

members of the public. Office of 

Management and Budget Circular A–25 

allows agencies to impose user fees for 

services that confer a special benefit to 

identifiable recipients beyond those 

accruing to the general public. Pursuant 

to 31 CFR 223.22, Treasury imposes fees 

on surety companies and reinsuring 

companies seeking to obtain or renew 

certification or recognition from 

Treasury. The fees imposed and 

collected cover the costs incurred by the 

Government for services performed 

reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating the 

companies’ applications, financial 

statements, and other information. 

Treasury determines the amount of fees 

in accordance with the IOAA and the 

Office of Management and Budget 

Circular A–25, as amended. The change 

in fees is the result of a thorough 

analysis of costs associated with the 

corporate Federal surety bond program. 

The new fee rate schedule is as 

follows: 


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