[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 68127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22355]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Research and Innovative Technology Administration
Agency Information Collection; Activity Under OMB Review;
National Ferry Database
AGENCY: Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), Bureau
of Transportation Statistics (BTS), DOT.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information
Collection Request (ICR) described below is being forwarded to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval for a new
information collection related to the Nation's ferry operations. The
ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected
burden. The Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period
soliciting comments on the following collection of information was
published on August 30, 2005 (70 FR 51409) and the comment period ended
on October 30, 2005. The 60-day notice produced no comments.
DATES: Written comments should be submitted by December 9, 2005.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. June Taylor Jones, Passenger
Travel Program Manager, Room 3430, RITA, BTS, Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Telephone (202) 366-4743, Fax (202) 493-0568 or e-mail
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: National Ferry Study.
Type of Request: Approval of a new information collection.
OMB Control Number: New.
Affected Public: Ferry operators nationwide.
Number of Respondents: 300.
Number of Responses: 300.
Total Annual Burden: 100 hours (Average estimate of 20 minutes to
complete the survey for each of 300 resulting in a total of 6000
minutes or 100 hours).
Abstract: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA--
21) (Pub. L. 105-178), section 1207(c), directed the Secretary of
Transportation to conduct a study of ferry transportation in the United
States and its possessions. In 2000, the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) Office of Intermodal and Statewide Planning conducted a survey
of approximately 250 known ferry operators. The Safe, Accountable,
Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU; H.R. 3, Section 1801(e)) requires that the Secretary,
acting through the BTS, shall establish and maintain a national ferry
database containing information on routes, vessels, passengers and
vehicles carried, funding sources and such other information as the
Secretary considers useful. Data collection will rely on a written
survey. An electronic version of the questionnaire will also be
available to respondents on request. Data will be collected from the
entire population of ferry operators (estimate 300 or less). The survey
will ask respondents to provide information on: (1) Points served; (2)
amount and source of Federal, State, and/or local funds used in the
past 24 months; (3) type of ownership; (4) number of passengers and
vehicles carried in the past 12 months; (5) any new routes expected to
be added within the next five years; and (6) highways that are
connected by the ferries. It is estimated that the survey will take, on
average, 20 minutes to complete for a total burden of 100 hours (300
respondents*20 minutes/60 = 100 hours).
The National Ferry Database may collect business sensitive
information. The confidentiality of these data will be protected under
49 CFR 7.17. In accordance with this regulation, only statistical and
non-sensitive business information will be made available through
publications and public use data files. The statistical public use data
are intended to provide an aggregated source of information on ferry
boat operations nationwide.
ADDRESSES: The agency seeks public comments on its proposed information
collection. Comments should address whether the information will have
practical utility; the accuracy of the agency'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. Send comments to the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: BTS Desk Officer.
Issued in Washington, DC on this 2nd day of November, 2005.
William Bannister,
Assistant Director, Office of Advanced Studies, Research and Advanced
Technology Administration, Bureau of Transportation Statistics,
Department of Transportation.
[FR Doc. 05-22355 Filed 11-8-05; 8:45 am]
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