[Federal Register: December 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 239)]
[Notices]
[Page 74564-74566]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14de04-118]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[U.S. DOT Docket Number NHTSA-2004-19844]
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: Comments must be received on or before February 14, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Comments must refer to the docket notice numbers cited at
the beginning of this notice and be submitted to Docket Management,
Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Please
identify the proposed collection of information for which a comment is
provided, by referencing its OMB clearance Number. It is requested, but
not required, that 2 copies of the comment be provided. The Docket
Section is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Culbreath, NHTSA 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Rm. 2404, 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;
[[Page 74565]]
(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: 49 CFR Part 566, Manufacturers' Identification.
OMB Number: 2127-0043.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
Abstract: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's
statute at 49 U.S.C. 30118: Notification of defect and noncompliance
requires manufacturers to determine if the motor vehicle or item or
replacement equipment contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety
or fails to comply with an applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard. Following such a determination, the manufacturer is required
to notify the Secretary of Transportation, owners, purchasers, and
dealers of motor vehicles or replacement equipment, of the defect or
noncompliance and to remedy the defect or noncompliance without charge
to the owner. With this determination, NHTSA issued 49 CFR Part 566,
manufacturer identification. Part 566requires every manufacturer of
motor vehicles and/or replacement equipment to file with the agency on
a one times basis, the required information specified in Part 566.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 33.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
(2) Title: 49 CFR 571.125, Warning Devices.
OMB Number: 2127-0506.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Business or other for profit organizations.
Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 30111, 30112, and 30117 (Appendix 1) of the
National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1996, authorizes the
issuance of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The
Secretary is authorized to issue, amend, and revoke such rules and
regulations as she/he deems necessary.
Using this authority, the agency issued FMVSS no. 125, ``Warning
Devices'' (Appendix 2), which applies to devices, without self
contained energy sources, that are designed to be carried mandatory in
buses and trucks that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater
than 10,000 pounds and voluntarily in other vehicles. These devices are
used to warn approaching traffic of the presence of a stopped vehicle,
except for devices designed to be permanently affixed to the vehicles.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 3.
(3) Title: 49 CFR 571.218, Motorcycle Helmets (Labeling).
OMB Number: 2127-0518.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Federal, Local, State, and Tribal Government,
Business, or other for-profit organizations.
Abstract: The National Traffic Vehicle Safety statute at 49 U.S.C.
subchapter II standards and compliance, sections 30111 and 30117
authorizes the issuance of Federal motor vehicle safety standards
(FMVSS). The Secretary is authorized to issue, amend, and revoke such
rules and regulations as he/she deems necessary. The Secretary is also
authorized to require manufacturers to provide information to first
purchasers or motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment when the
vehicle equipment is purchased, in a printed matter placed in the
vehicle or attached to our accompanying the equipment. Using this
authority, the agency issued the initial FMVSS No. 218, Motorcycle
Helmets, in 1974. Motorcycle helmets are the devices used for
protecting motorcyclists and other motor vehicle users in motor vehicle
accidents. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 requires that
each helmet shall be labeled permanently and legibly (S5.6), in a
manner such that the label(s) can be read easily without removing
padding or any other permanent part.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 5,333.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 32.
(4) 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.
(5) Title: Compliance Labeling of Retroreflective Materials heavy
Trailer Conspicuity.
OMB Number: 2127-0569.
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 3 mm 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
[[Page 74566]]
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.
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; 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: December 3, 2004.
Susan White,
Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-27305 Filed 12-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P