Document ID: NHTSA-2011-0084-0001
Agency: nhtsa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements
Posted Date: 2011-06-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37189-37191]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15843]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2011-0084]

Reports, Forms, and Recordkeeping Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Request for public comment on proposed collection of 
information.

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SUMMARY: Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from 
the public, it must receive approval from the Office of Management and 
Budget (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 one collection of information for which 
NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by August 23, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments [identified by Docket No. DOT-NHTSA-
20XX-XXXX] through one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West 
Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except on Federal holidays. Telephone 1-
800-647-5527.
     Fax 202-493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Culbreath, NHTSA, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., W51-204, NPO-400, Washington, DC 20590. Mr. 
Culbreath's telephone number is (202) 366-1566. Please identify the 
relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control 
Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 
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 regulation (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;
    (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, e.g. permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA asks for public 
comments on the following proposed collections of information:

(1) Title: Consumer Compliant/Recall Audit Information

    OMB Control Number: 2127-0008.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Abstract: Chapter 301 of Title 49 of the United States Code, the 
Secretary of Transportation is authorized to require manufacturers of 
motor vehicles and items of motor vehicle equipment to conduct owner 
notification and remedy, i.e., a recall campaign, when it has been 
determined that a safety defect exists in the performance, 
construction, components, or materials in motor vehicles and motor 
vehicle equipment. To make this determination, the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) solicits information from vehicle 
owners which is used to identify and evaluate possible safety-related 
defects and provide the necessary evidence of the existence of such a 
defect. Under the Authority of Chapter 301 of Title 49 of the United 
States Code, the Secretary of Transportation is authorized to require 
manufacturers of motor vehicle and motor vehicle equipment which do not 
comply with the applicable motor vehicle safety standards or contains a 
defect that relates to motor vehicle safety to notify each owner that 
their vehicle contains a safety defect or noncompliance. Also, the 
manufacturer of each such motor vehicle item of replacement equipment 
presented for remedy pursuant to such notification shall cause such 
defect or noncompliance to be remedied without charge. In the case of a 
motor vehicle presented for remedy pursuant to such notification, the 
manufacturer shall cause the vehicle remedied by whichever of the 
following means he elects: (1) By repairing such vehicle; (2) by 
replacing such motor vehicle without charge; or (3) by refunding the 
purchase price less depreciation. To ensure these objectives are being 
met, NHTSA audits recalls conducted by manufacturer. These audits are 
performed on a randomly selected number of vehicle owners for 
verification and validation purposes.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 36,380 hours.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 239,000.

(2) Title: Replaceable Light Source Dimensional Information Collection, 
49 CFR Part 564

    OMB Number: 2127-0563.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
    Abstract: The information to be collected is in response to 49 CFR 
part 564, ``Replaceable Light Source Dimensional Information.'' Persons 
desiring to use newly designed replaceable headlamp light sources are 
required to submit interchangeability and performance specifications to 
the agency. After a short agency review to assure completeness, the 
information is placed in a public docket for use by any person who 
would desire to manufacture headlamp light sources for highway motor 
vehicles. In Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, Lamps, 
reflective devices and associated equipment,'' Part 564 submission are 
referenced as being the source of information regarding the performance 
and interchangeability information for legal headlamp light sources, 
whether original equipment or replacement equipment. Thus, the 
submitted information about headlamp light sources becomes the basis 
for certification of compliance with safety standards.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 28.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 7.

(3) Title: Compliance Labeling of Retroreflective Materials Heavy 
Trailer Conspicuity

    OMB Number: 2127-0569.

[[Page 37190]]

    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
    Abstract: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, ``Lamps 
Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment,'' specifies requirements 
for vehicle lighting for the purposes of reducing traffic accidents and 
their tragic results by providing adequate roadway illumination, 
improved vehicle conspicuity, appropriate information transmission 
through signal lamps, in both day, night, and other conditions of 
reduced visibility. For certifications and identification purposes, the 
Standard requires the permanent marking of the letters ``DOT-C2,'' DOT-
C3'', or DOT -C4' at least 3mm high at regular intervals on 
retroreflective sheeting material having adequate performance to 
provide effective trailer conspicuity.
    The manufacturers of new tractors and trailers are required to 
certify that their products are equipped with retroreflective material 
complying with the requirements of the standard. The Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA) Office of Motor Carrier Safety enforces this and 
other standards through roadside inspections of trucks. There is no 
practical field test for the performance requirements, and labeling is 
the only objectives way of distinguishing trailer conspicuity grade 
material from lower performance material. Without labeling, FHWA will 
not be able to enforce the performance requirements of the standard and 
the compliance testing of new tractors and trailers will be 
complicated. Labeling is also important to small trailer manufactures 
because it may help them to certify compliance. Because wider stripes 
or material of lower brightness also can provide the minimum safety 
performance, the marking system serves the additional role of 
identifying the minimum stripe width required for retroreflective 
brightness of the particular material. Since the differences between 
the brightness grades of suitable retroreflective conspicuity material 
is not obvious from inspection, the marking system is necessary for 
tractor and trailer manufacturers and repair shops to assure compliance 
and for FHWA to inspect tractors and trailers in use. Permanent 
labeling is used to identify retroreflective material having the 
minimum properties required for effective conspicuity of trailers at 
night. The information enables the FHWA to make compliance inspections, 
and it aids tractor and trailer owners and repairs shops in choosing 
the correct repair materials for damaged tractors and trailers. It also 
aids smaller trailer manufacturers in certifying compliance of their 
products.
    The FHWA will not be able to determine whether trailers are 
properly equipped during roadside inspections without labeling. The use 
of cheaper and more common reflective materials, which are ineffective 
for the application, would be expected in repairs without the labeling 
requirement.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.

(4) Title: 49 CFR Part 576, Record Retention

    OMB Number: 2127-0042.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Under 49 U.S.C. Section 30166(e), NHTSA reasonably may 
require a manufacturer of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment to 
keep records, and a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer to make 
reports, to enable (NHTSA) to decide whether the manufacturer, 
distributor or dealer has complied or is complying with this chapter or 
a regulation prescribed under this chapter.
    49 U.S.C. 30118(c) requires manufacturers to notify NHTSA and 
owners, purchasers, and dealers if the manufacturer (1) learn that any 
vehicle or equipment manufactured by it contains a defect and decides 
in good faith that the defect relates to motor vehicle safety, or (2) 
decides in good faith that the vehicle or equipment does not comply 
with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard. The only way 
for the agency to decide if and when a manufacturer learned of a 
safety-related defect or decided in good faith that some products did 
not comply with an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard is 
for the agency to have access to the information available to the 
manufacturer.
    Affected Public: Business or other-for-profit, individuals or 
households.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 40,000.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1020.

(5) Title: Phase-in Production Reporting Requirements for Electronic 
Stability Control System (ESC)

    OMB Number: 2127-0651.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: Manufacturers of vehicles under 10,000 lbs GVWR are 
required to report what percent of their vehicles are equipped with ESC 
during each of a 3-year phase-in of FMVSS No. 126. As part of a 
comprehensive plan for reducing the serious risk of rollover crashes 
and the risk of death and serious injury in those crashes, NHTSA is 
proposing to establish a new Federal motor vehicle safety standard, 
FMVSS No. 126, to require electronic stability control (ESC) systems on 
passenger cars, multipurpose vehicles, trucks and buses with a gross 
vehicle weight rating of 4,536 Kg (10,000 pounds) or less. Based on its 
crash data studies, NHTSA estimates that the installation of ESC will 
reduce single vehicle crashes of passenger cars by 34% and single 
vehicle crashes of sport utility vehicles (SUVs) by 59% with a much 
greater reduction of rollover crashes.
    Affected Public: Private Sector.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 42.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 21.

(6) Title: Racial Profiling, State Traffic Data, and Child Booster Seat 
Grant Program

    OMB Number: 2127-0653.
    Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information 
collection
    Abstract: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation 
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Public Law 109-59, 
authorizes several grant programs covering fiscal years (FY) 2006-2009, 
to be administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety 
Administration (NHTSA). This information collection supports the 
Department's Strategic goal of safety by reducing the number of deaths 
and severity of injuries as a result of motor vehicle accidents. 
Section 1906 authorizes a grant program for States that enact and 
enforce a law that prohibits the use of racial profiling in the 
enforcement of traffic laws on Federal-aid highways. Section 2006 
authorizes a grant program to support the development and 
implementation of State traffic safety information systems. Section 
2011 authorizes a grant program for child safety seats and child 
booster seats.
    Affected Public: State, Local, and Tribal Governments.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5130.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 57.
    Comments are invited on: 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; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection;

[[Page 37191]]

ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and 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.

    Issued on: June 21, 2011.
Dan Pitton,
Director; Office of Mission, Architect, and Planning.
[FR Doc. 2011-15843 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P