Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 7 / Monday, January 13, 2025 / Notices 2779 

2See Implementation Guidance on Application of 

Buy America Preference in Federal Financial 

Assistance Programs for Infrastructure, M–24–02, at 

p. 13 (Oct. 25, 2023). 

3 Id., at p. 11. 

III. FRA’s Authority To Waive Buy 

America Requirements 

FRA can waive its Buy America 

requirements in limited circumstances. 

FRA will grant a waiver that is 

consistent with the statutory criteria. 

FRA may waive its Buy America 

requirements if FRA determines that 

applying the Buy America requirements 

would be inconsistent with the public 

interest; the steel, iron, and goods 

produced in the United States are not 

produced in a sufficient and reasonably 

available amount or are not of 

satisfactory quality; rolling stock or 

power train equipment cannot be 

bought and delivered in the United 

States within a reasonable time; or 

including domestic material would 

increase the cost of the overall project 

by more than 25 percent (49 U.S.C. 

22905(a)(2); see also Pub. L. 117–58, 

sec. 70914(b); prescribing similar 

statutory conditions for waivers). 

FRA may issue a general applicability 

waiver when doing so is necessary to 

advance the agency’s mission and goals. 

This waiver would apply generally 

across FRA’s grant programs.2 In 

addition, a waiver in the public interest 

is appropriate when the agency 

determines that other important policy 

goals cannot be achieved consistent 

with FRA’s Buy America requirements 

and the Buy America requirements 

established by BABA, and the proposed 

waiver does not meet the requirements 

for a non-availability or unreasonable 

cost waiver.3

If FRA determines a waiver is 

appropriate, FRA will provide notice 

and seek comment from the public. 

IV. Proposed Waiver 

FRA has determined that applying its 

Buy America requirements to the 

purchase of Tier 0, Tier 1, and nontiered locomotives for the purpose of 

rehabilitating or remanufacturing the 

locomotive to significantly reduce 

emissions would be inconsistent with 

the public interest as it would be overly 

burdensome or, in some instances, not 

possible to verify whether the used 

locomotive is fully compliant with 

FRA’s Buy America requirements. To 

advance rail projects that deploy more 

efficient locomotives, reduce emissions, 

address environmental burdens on 

communities, and create domestic jobs, 

FRA proposes to waive its Buy America 

requirements for the purchase of used 

Tier 0, Tier 1, and non-tiered 

locomotives, provided that the used 

locomotive: 

• has been in continuous service in 

the United States from the date of 

manufacture; 

• was not purchased outside the 

United States; 

• was manufactured prior to 2004 

(line haul or switch); and 

• will be used in an FRA-funded 

project that will result in a significant 

reduction in emissions. 

The proposed waiver does not apply 

to any other manufactured products, 

steel, or iron used in the FRA-funded 

project, nor does it apply to the 

purchase of any new items necessary for 

the project, such as the battery system 

and its components. FRA is not 

proposing to waive any applicable 

BABA requirements, and the proposed 

waiver does not apply to any 

construction materials. 

The proposed waiver would be 

effective for five years from the date the 

final waiver is issued and would apply 

to awards obligated within that period. 

V. Request for Comment 

FRA will consider comments received 

during the 15-day public comment 

period. FRA may consider comments 

received after this period to the extent 

practicable. Consistent with 49 U.S.C. 

22905(a)(4), following the public 

comment period, if FRA determines it is 

necessary to waive its Buy America 

requirements, FRA will publish its 

decision in the Federal Register and 

provide an opportunity for public 

comment on such finding for a 

reasonable period not to exceed 15 days. 

After such a period, FRA’s decision will 

be effective. 

FRA also seeks input from the public 

as to whether it should consider issuing 

a separate waiver for any other products 

required to manufacture locomotive 

batteries or locomotive charging stations 

and equipment due to their 

nonavailability in the domestic market. 

Issued in Washington, DC. 

Amitabha Bose, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2025–00443 Filed 1–10–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

National Highway Traffic Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. NHTSA–2024–0051] 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities; Notice and Request for 

Comment; Assessing the Fit and 

Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear 

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA), 

Department of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice and request for public 

comment on a request for approval of a 

new collection of information. 

SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration (NHTSA) invites 

public comments about our intention to 

request approval from the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for a 

new information collection. Before a 

Federal agency can collect certain 

information from the public, it must 

receive approval from OMB. Under 

procedures established by the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 

before seeking OMB approval, Federal 

agencies must solicit public comment 

on proposed collections of information, 

including extensions and reinstatement 

of previously approved collections. This 

document describes a new collection of 

information for which NHTSA intends 

to seek OMB approval to gather 

information on the personal protective 

equipment (PPE) motorcyclists wear 

including helmets and riding jackets, 

pants, boots, and gloves, how well the 

PPE fits, and how comfortable riders 

find it to be. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before March 14, 2025. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by Docket No. NHTSA–2024– 

0051 using any of the following 

methods: 

• Electronic submissions: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

online instructions for submitting 

comments. 

• Fax: 1–202–493–2251. 

• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket 

Management Facility, U.S. Department 

of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, West Building 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) 366–9322 before 

coming. 

Instructions: Each submission must 

include the agency name and the docket 

number for this Notice. Note that all 

comments received will be posted 

without change to https:// 


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2780 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 7 / Monday, January 13, 2025 / Notices 

1National Center for Statistics and Analysis. 

(2024, July). Motorcycles: 2022 data (Traffic Safety 

Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 589). National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information provided. Please 

see the Privacy Act heading below. 

Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search 

the electronic form of all comments 

received into any of our dockets 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 may 

review DOT’s complete Privacy Act 

Statement in the Federal Register 

published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 

19477–78) or you may 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 

via internet. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For 

additional information or access to 

background documents, contact Dr. 

Kathryn Wochinger, Contracting 

Officer’s Representative, Office of 

Behavioral Safety Research (NPD–310), 

(202) 366–4300, National Highway 

Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New 

Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 

20590. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) 

(44 U.S.C 3501 et seq.), before an agency 

submits a proposed collection of 

information to OMB for approval, it 

must first publish a document in the 

Federal Register providing a 60-day 

comment period and otherwise consult 

with members of the public and affected 

agencies concerning each proposed 

collection of information. The OMB has 

promulgated regulations describing 

what must be included in such a 

document. Under OMB’s regulations (at 

5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must ask 

for public comment on the following: (i) 

whether the proposed collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether the 

information will have practical utility; 

(ii) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 

of the burden of the proposed collection 

of information, including the validity of 

the methodology and assumptions used; 

(iii) how to enhance the quality, utility, 

and clarity of the information to be 

collected; and (iv) how to minimize the 

burden of the collection of information 

on those who are to respond, including 

the use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

for example, permitting electronic 

submission of responses. In compliance 

with these requirements, NHTSA asks 

for public comments on the following 

proposed collection of information for 

which the agency is seeking approval 

from OMB. 

Title: Assessing the Fit and Comfort of 

Motorcycle Safety Gear. 

OMB Control Number: New. 

Form Numbers: NHTSA Form 2000, 

NHTSA Form 2001, NHTSA Form 2002, 

NHTSA Form 2003, NHTSA Form 2004, 

and NHTSA Form 2005. 

Type of Request: New information 

collection. 

Type of Review Requested: Regular. 

Requested Expiration Date of 

Approval: 3 years from date of approval. 

Summary of the Collection of 

Information: NHTSA is seeking 

approval for a new, one-time 

information collection from a targeted 

sample of 625 motorcycle riders (from 

1,250 screened for potential 

participation) about their use and 

preference for motorcycle protective 

gear. The study will involve recruiting 

motorcyclists attending motorcycle 

events to gather information on the 

protective gear they are wearing 

(including footwear, gloves, helmets, 

jackets, pants) about the perceived and 

assessed fit and comfort. The study will 

allow NHTSA to assess the relationship 

between perceived and objectively 

measured fit, rider beliefs about the 

protective value of gear, and factors 

influencing the selection and use of 

protective gear. 

Participants will be recruited at 

locations where riders gather such as 

rallies, training events, or other 

organized events. The study plan is to 

recruit an equal number of riders of 

standard, cruiser, sport, adventure/ 

touring motorcycles, and seated motor 

scooters. Depending on the venue, the 

study team will either invite riders to 

participate at a study tent or conduct the 

survey near the rider’s motorcycle. 

Study staff will observe gear worn by 

riders, assess the fit of the gear, and ask 

riders for their opinions about the fit 

and comfort of the gear. Data collection 

will involve the use of a portable tablet 

for the consent process, and for 

recording participant responses and 

staff observations. Participants will selfadminister some portions of the survey, 

while data collectors will verbally ask 

the participants about their gear during 

the gear assessments. Anthropometric 

measurements (e.g., head 

circumference) will be taken using 

ribbon tape or an anthropometer as 

appropriate depending on the gear type 

being assessed. 

The study plan is to assess one type 

of gear (e.g., jackets) per respondent. 

Additionally, to obtain information on 

respondents’ perspectives of different 

types of gear, study staff will use a table 

to present images of the gear type being 

assessed (one type per respondent). The 

images will be of gear ranging in quality; 

they will include product descriptions 

but no brand names. Participants will be 

asked to rate the protection afforded by 

the gear, its quality, and the likelihood 

of wearing or purchasing it. 

All data collection activities will be 

voluntary and anonymous. This 

collection only requires respondents to 

report their answers; there are no 

record-keeping costs to the respondents. 

NHTSA will use the information to 

produce a technical report that presents 

summary statistics and tables; a deidentified data set will also be made 

available to the public. No identifying 

information will be reported. The study 

will advance our understanding of how 

the fit and comfort of gear influences the 

choice to use or not use gear. This 

information will inform the 

development of NHTSA outreach and 

education motorcycle safety programs. 

The technical report will be distributed 

to stakeholders in highway safety and 

the public. 

Description of the Need for the 

Information and Proposed Use of the 

Information: NHTSA was established to 

reduce deaths, injuries, and economic 

losses resulting from motor vehicle 

crashes on the Nation’s highways. As 

part of this statutory mandate, NHTSA 

is authorized to conduct research for the 

development of traffic safety programs. 

Title 23, United States Code, chapter 4, 

section 403 gives the Secretary of 

Transportation (NHTSA by delegation) 

authorization to use funds appropriated 

to conduct research and development 

activities. The agency develops, 

promotes, and implements educational, 

engineering, and enforcement programs 

with the goal of ending preventable 

tragedies and reducing economic costs 

associated with vehicle use and 

highway travel. Having current data is 

essential to develop appropriate 

approaches to improve traffic safety. 

This is especially true for information 

on vulnerable road users, such as 

motorcyclists, where data is much more 

limited. 

In 2022, there were 6,218 

motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 

comprising 15 percent of all traffic 

fatalities that year and representing a 

fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled of 

26.16, nearly 22 times that of passenger 

car occupants (1.20).1 These findings 


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Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 7 / Monday, January 13, 2025 / Notices 2781 

demonstrate the inherent risk of 

motorcycle riding and highlight the 

importance of wearing personal 

protective gear, especially a helmet, but 

including footwear, gloves, jacket, and 

pants. Nonetheless, not all motorcyclists 

use gear on every ride. 

The proposed study addresses the 

need to understand the relationship 

between the fit and comfort of personal 

protective gear and the decision to use 

gear. The results will assist NHTSA 

develop its programmatic activities in 

motorcycle safety by providing 

information on the types of gear being 

used, the comfort and fit of gear in use, 

and deterrents to using protective gear. 

Frequency of Collection: This study is 

intended to be a one-time data 

collection. Because data collection may 

occur at multiple events, there is a 

remote chance an individual could 

participate more than once. This is not 

expected, however, as potential 

participants will not know data 

collection locations or times. 

Affected Public: This study will 

recruit volunteers who are riders of 

selected types of motorcycles (standard, 

cruiser, sport, adventure/touring, 

scooter) at the data collection locations. 

Motorcyclists passing by the data 

collection locations will be recruited to 

voluntarily participate in an assessment 

of the fit of their current protective gear 

(if worn). They will be asked to review 

images of selected gear and provide 

their opinions on the gears’ protective 

capabilities, usability, and perceived 

quality. 

Estimated Number of Respondents: 

The study expects to contact 

approximately 1,250 motorcyclists at 

the data collection locations to obtain 

responses from 625 motorcyclists (125 

per type of motorcycle). 

Estimated Total Annual Burden 

Hours: The total amount of burden is 

estimated to be 340.42 hours. This 

includes the estimated 312.5 hours for 

the 625 participates who fully 

participate, with an average completion 

time of 30 minutes, and the 18.75 hours 

for the estimated 75 people who will 

partially participate, spending 15 

minutes on average, and 9.17 hours for 

the estimated 550 people who received 

screening items but decline to 

participate, spending on average of 1 

minute. 

Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: 

The total annual burden cost is 

estimated to be $15,520 with an annual 

burden cost of $5,034 (total/3) (see 

Table 1). Participation in this study is 

voluntary and there are no costs to 

respondents beyond the time spent 

hearing about the study and 

participating in data collection if they 

decide to participate. Participants will 

incur no burden related to annual 

reporting or record keeping due to the 

collection of this new information. 

TABLE 1—SUMMARY OF TOTAL BURDEN HOURS AND ESTIMATED COSTS BY TYPE OF PARTICIPATION

Type of participation Number of 

respondents 

Minutes per 

respondent 

Estimated 

wage per 

hour * 

Total 

estimated 

burden hours 

Estimated cost 

Rider Fully Participates ........................................................ 625 30 $45.97 312.5 $14,365.00 

Rider Does Not Fully Participate ......................................... 75 15 45.97 18.75 861.90 

Rider Screened but Does Not Participate ........................... 550 1 45.59 9.17 418.06 

Grand Total ................................................................... 1,250 ........................ ........................ 340.42 

(340) 

15,519.75 

(15,520) 

* September 2024 total private average hourly earnings (fully loaded at 30%) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/ 

news.release/empsit.t19.htm. 

Public Comments Invited: You are 

asked to comment on any aspects of this 

information collection, including (i) 

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; 

(ii) the accuracy of the Department’s 

estimate of the burden of the proposed 

information collection; (iii) ways to 

enhance the quality, utility and clarity 

of the information to be collected; and 

(iv) 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. 

Authority: The Paperwork Reduction 

Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as 

amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 

1351.29A. 

Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan, 

Associate Administrator, Research and 

Program Development. 

[FR Doc. 2025–00406 Filed 1–10–25; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–59–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Office of the Secretary 

[Docket No. DOT–OST–2025–0002] 

Draft Designation of National 

Multimodal Freight Network and State 

Input Process 

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of 

Transportation (OST), Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA), Federal 

Railroad Administration (FRA), 

Maritime Administration (MARAD), 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Great Lakes 

St. Lawrence Seaway Development 

Corporation (GLS), and Pipelines and 

Hazardous Materials Safety 

Administration (PHMSA), Department 

of Transportation. 

ACTION: Draft designation and request 

for comment; response to comments. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of 

Transportation (DOT or Department) is 

publishing a draft designation of the 

National Multimodal Freight Network 

(NMFN or Network) as required Federal 

law. The designation is informed by the 

comments received on a notice 

published by DOT on April 12, 2024. 

DOT is also using this notice to request 

comments or proposed modifications to 

the draft Network prior to designating 

the Network. Once the Network is 

designated by DOT, States will have the 

opportunity to submit additional 

designations through the ‘‘State Input’’ 

process required by statute. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before February 27, 2025 to receive 

consideration by DOT with respect to 

the draft designation of the NMFN. 

ADDRESSES: To ensure that you do not 

duplicate your docket submissions, 

please submit them by only one of the 

following means: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov and follow 

the online instructions for submitting 

comments. 

• Mail: Docket Management Facility, 

U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 


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