[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 240 (Thursday, December 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75290-75293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21226]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


National Safe Routes to School Task Force to the Secretary of 
Transportation

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of meeting of advisory committee.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the first meeting of the National Safe 
Routes to School Task Force to the Secretary of Transportation. This is 
the first meeting of the task force. The purpose of the Task Force is 
to advise the Secretary of Transportation, through the Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety, on strategies to advance Safe 
Routes to School (SRTS) Programs nationwide and to encourage children, 
including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school 
pursuant to Section 1404(h) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, 
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) 
(Pub. L. 109-59). This meeting is open to the public and will have time 
allocated for public testimony. The public is welcome to present 
written or oral comments to the Task Force.

DATES: The first meeting of the Task Force is scheduled for January 11, 
2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t.

ADDRESSES: The first meeting of the Task Force will be held at the 
Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Tim Arnade, the Designated Federal 
Official, Safe Routes to School Program Manager, FHWA Office of Safety 
Programs, (202) 366-2205 ([email protected]); Federal Highway 
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 75291]]

Background

    On August 10, 2005, the President signed into law the Safe, 
Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy 
for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59). Section 1404(h) of SAFETEA-LU 
mandates the establishment of the Task Force as follows: ``The 
Secretary shall establish a national safe routes to school task force 
composed of leaders in health, transportation, and education, including 
representatives of appropriate Federal agencies, to study and develop a 
strategy for advancing safe routes to school programs nationwide.''
    To carry out this requirement, the FHWA published a notice of 
intent to form an advisory committee in the Federal Register on July 
11, 2006 (71 FR 39138). This notice, consistent with the requirements 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. II, 
announced the establishment of the Task Force and invited comments and 
nominations for membership.
    We received a total of fifty-four (54) nominations submitted to the 
docket for the National SRST Task Force; forty-six (46) were nominated 
to serve on behalf of a specific organization and eight (8) nominations 
were for particular individuals. In selecting the members of the Task 
Force consistent with statutory direction, the FHWA attempted to 
achieve a balanced membership representing a broad cross-section of the 
diverse agencies, organizations, and individuals that are involved in 
Safe Routes to School activities and programs in the United States. 
Pursuant to congressional conference report language (SAFETEA-LU, Joint 
Explanatory Statement of the Committee of the Conference, House Report 
109-203, p. 866-867 or you may visit http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/legislation.htm to view an electronic copy of the conference 
report language), a broad range of agencies was selected consisting of 
``members [that are] representatives from State and local agencies as 
well as relevant non-profit organizations and associations including 
organizations or associations that represent automobile drivers.''
    The seventeen (17) selected members are as follows:
    Dr. Phyllis Agran, MD, MPH of the University of California, Irvine, 
CA will represent the American Academy of Pediatrics, a national 
health-related organization.
    Ms. Barbara Alberson is Chief of the State and Local Injury Control 
Section of the California Department of Health. She will serve 
representing the State and Territorial Injury Prevention Directors 
Association, a national health-related organization.
    Mr. Thomas Brahms is Executive Director of the Institute of 
Transportation Engineers. He is located in Washington, DC and will 
represent professionals working in the transportation field.
    Ms. Sabrina Cruz is Principal of Brichta Elementary School in 
Tucson, AZ. Principal Cruz will represent the educational community and 
the Pima County-Tucson Safe Routes to School Program.
    Mr. Richard Deal, PE, TE, PTOE is a City Traffic Engineer for 
Monterey, CA and will represent the American Public Works Association 
and professionals working in the transportation field.
    The Honorable Sue Frank is Mayor of Raytown, Missouri. She is a 
locally elected official and will represent local interests through the 
National Association of Regional Councils.
    Ms. Deborah Hubsmith of California is Coordinator of the Safe 
Routes to School National Partnership and will represent a national 
SRTS advocacy organization.
    Mr. Michael King of Nelson and Nygaard Consulting Associates in New 
York, NY will represent the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle 
Professionals and professionals working in the transportation field.
    Ms. Lauren Marchetti will represent the National Center for Safe 
Routes to School at the UNC Highway Safety Research Center in Chapel 
Hill, NC. She is Director of the National Center for SRTS.
    Ms. Refilwe Moeti is Public Health Advisor for the Division of 
Nutrition and Physical Activity at the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (Department of Health and Human Services) in Atlanta, 
Georgia. Ms. Moeti represents a Federal Agency.
    Scott Osberg, PhD is Director of Research for the American 
Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety in 
Washington, DC and will represent professionals working in the 
transportation field with an emphasis on safety.
    Mr. Robert Ping is SRTS Program Director for the Oregon Bicycle 
Transportation Alliance and Willamette Pedestrian Coalition and will 
represent practitioners implementing SRTS programs on a local and 
statewide level.
    Ms. Sharon Roerty is Director of Community Programs for the 
National Center for Bicycling and Walking and is located in Maplewood, 
NJ. Ms. Roerty will represent a national bicycle and pedestrian 
advocacy organization.
    Ms. Donna Smallwood will serve as the Task Force Chair. Ms. 
Smallwood is the Operations Manager for MassRIDES in Boston, MA and 
will represent a State Department of Transportation SRTS program.
    Ms. Leslie Thompson is a Planner for the Nashville Area MPO in 
Nashville, TN. She will represent regional interests through 
Tennessee's Safer Routes to School Advisory Council.
    Mr. Roger Wentz of Fredericksburg, VA is the Executive Director of 
the American Traffic Safety Services Association and is a 
representative of the transportation industry.
    Ms. Dale Ann Wright is an Officer for the West Valley City Police 
Department in West Valley City, UT and will represent local law 
enforcement agencies.
    The agenda topics for this meeting will include (1) an overview of 
strategies that are already in place within the U.S. to advance SRTS 
programs; (2) an overview of national strategies that are used in other 
countries to advance SRTS programs; and (3) discussion of how best to 
advance SRTS programs nationwide.
    The FHWA anticipates that the Task Force will meet three times in 
2007. Two meetings will be held in Washington, DC, and the remaining 
meeting may be held in a location outside of Washington, DC. The FHWA 
will publish notices in the Federal Register to announce the times, 
dates, and locations of these future meetings. Meetings of the Task 
Force are open to the public and time will be provided in each 
meeting's schedule for comments by members of the public. Attendance 
will be necessarily limited by the size of the meeting room. Members of 
the public may present oral or written comments at the meeting. Written 
materials should be sent to the FHWA Task Force support contractor, 
Toole Design Group, 4603 Calvert Road, College Park, MD 20740, 
attention Ms. Amy Elmquist, (301) 927-1900, [email protected], ten 
(10) days prior to the meeting. Members of the public may also contact 
Ms. Amy Elmquist to be placed on the SRTS Task Force mailing list.
    The National Safe Routes to School Task Force Charter, approved by 
the Secretary of Transportation, is as follows:

Federal Advisory Committee Charter

National Safe Routes to School Task Force Program Advisory Committee

U.S. Department of Transportation
    1. Purpose: This charter establishes the National Safe Routes to 
School Task Force pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, 5 U.S.C., App. 2, and sets forth policies for its

[[Page 75292]]

operations. The statutory authority for the Task Force is section 
1404(h) of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation 
Equity Act: A Legacy for Users. (Pub. L. 109-59).
    2. Scope and Objectives:
    a. The Task Force will study and develop a strategy for advancing 
safe routes to school programs nationwide.
    b. The Task Force will submit a report to the Secretary of 
Transportation containing the results of the study conducted, and a 
description of the strategy developed above, and the report shall 
contain information regarding use of funds for infrastructure-related 
projects and non-infrastructure related activities funded by the new 
Federal-aid Safe Routes to School Program.
    c. The Task Force will not exercise program management, regulatory 
or program guidance responsibilities. It makes no decision directly 
affecting the programs on which it provides advice. The Task Force 
provides a forum for the development, consideration, and communication, 
from a knowledgeable and independent perspective, of a strategy for 
advancing Safe Routes to School Programs nationwide.
    3. Duties: The Task Force will be responsive to the specific 
assignment provided for in law:
    a. Study and develop a strategy for advancing safe routes to school 
programs nationwide.
    b. Produce a report to the Secretary of Transportation containing 
the results of the study conducted, a description of the strategy 
developed, and information regarding the use of funds for 
infrastructure-related projects and non-infrastructure activities 
funded by the new Federal-aid Safe Routes to School Program.
    4. Duration: The Task Force will remain in existence for 2 years 
from the effective date of this charter, unless recommended for 
termination or renewal by the Secretary of Transportation.
    5. Official to Whom Task Force Reports: The Task Force will report 
to the Secretary of Transportation through the sponsor.
    6. Sponsor and Agency Providing Support: The Federal Highway 
Administration (FHWA) Office of Safety serves as sponsor of the Task 
Force and will designate a Designated Federal Official to direct the 
affairs of the Task Force and will provide necessary administrative 
support.
    7. Membership:
    a. The Task Force shall be composed of representative members 
appointed by the Secretary of Transportation upon recommendation by the 
FHWA Office of Safety. Task Force members shall represent a cross 
section of the diverse agencies, organizations and individuals that are 
involved in Safe Routes to School activities and programs in the United 
States. By statute, the membership will be composed of leaders in 
health, transportation and education, including representatives of 
appropriate Federal agencies. Pursuant to congressional conference 
report language, Task Force members could also include representatives 
from State and local agencies, as well as relevant non-profit 
organizations and associations including organizations or associations 
that represent automobile drivers. The FHWA Office of Safety may 
consult with applicable organizations to determine the appropriate 
individuals to be recommended.
    b. Members may also be considered who are not from the categories 
listed above to achieve the broad range of experience and understanding 
noted above.
    c. Nonparticipation by any member in Task Force activities will be 
sufficient reason for the appointment of a replacement member by the 
Secretary. However, members may be represented at Task Force meetings 
and activities by alternates representing the same interest as the 
member. Alternates shall have full rights and duties of the membership. 
If a current member is unable to attend a meeting, that member or his/
her organization may nominate an alternate for approval by the Task 
Force sponsor, at any time prior to the meeting or activity for which 
the appointment is made. Unless otherwise specified by the member, the 
appointment is valid for only one meeting or activity including any 
continuation of that meeting or activity.
    d. Additional persons may be designated by the Chairman to serve on 
working groups of the committee to assist in the performance of its 
functions. Representatives of the Office of the Secretary of 
Transportation, any agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, or 
any other Federal agency may participate in any meeting of the Task 
Force with the approval of the Designated Federal Official.
    8. Task Force Officers: The Chairman will be appointed by the FHWA 
Office of Safety from among the members of the Task Force. The Chairman 
will conduct each meeting using generally accepted meeting management 
techniques, provide an opportunity for participation by each member and 
by public attendees, ensure adherence to the agenda, maintain order, 
and with the Designated Federal Official, prepare any recommendations 
to be submitted to the FHWA Office of Safety. In the absence of the 
Chairman, the Designated Federal Official will appoint a Vice Chairman 
to perform these duties.
    9. Meetings:
    a. Meetings will be held at the call of or with the advance 
approval of the Designated Federal Official. The Task Force will meet 
approximately three times the first year. Special meetings and working 
group meetings may be called as necessary. Notice of each scheduled 
meeting will be published in the Federal Register.
    b. All meetings are open to the public. Members of the public are 
permitted to appear before or file statements with the Task Force. The 
Designated Federal Official, or a Departmental employee alternate 
designated by the DFO, must be present at each Task Force meeting. This 
official has the authority and duty to adjourn the meeting whenever 
such action is deemed to be in the public interest. A quorum exists 
when at least one-half of the appointed members are present. A quorum 
must exist for any official action, including voting, to occur. In any 
situation involving voting, the majority vote of members present will 
prevail. An agenda for each meeting must be approved in advance by the 
Designated Federal Official in consultation with the Task Force 
Chairman.
    10. Compensation: Members of the Task Force may receive travel and 
per diem, as allowed by regulations and U.S. Department of 
Transportation policy.
    11. Costs: Operating expenses are borne by the Task Force Sponsor. 
The estimated annual cost to the government is $200,000 inclusive of 
administrative contract support, report writing, meeting costs, travel, 
and other logistics expenses.
    12. Availability of Records: Subject to Section 552 of Title 5, 
United States Code, the records, reports, minutes, agenda, and other 
documents made available to or by the Task Force will be available for 
public inspection and duplication in the FHWA Office of Safety, or 
through the Office of Safety Safe Routes to School Web site, 
www.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/htm.
    13. Reports: The Designated Federal Official will furnish detailed 
minutes of each meeting to the sponsor. The minutes contain a record of 
the persons present, a complete and accurate description of matters 
discussed and conclusions reached, and copies of all reports received, 
issued or approved by the Committee. The Chairman and Designated 
Federal Official will certify the accuracy of the minutes.
    14. Working Groups:

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    a. The Task Force Chairman may establish working groups to perform 
specific assignments with the approval of the Designated Federal 
Official. The Chairman may designate members from either the Task Force 
or the public to serve on working groups. The Working Group Chair will 
be a Task Force member. Recording or videotaping of working group 
meetings may only be performed by the sponsor, Designated Federal 
Official, or their designee.
    b. Any recommendations to the Department by working groups must be 
approved by the Task Force as a whole.
    15. Filing Date: October 27, 2006, is the filing date and the 
effective date of this Charter which will expire in 2 years from this 
filing date, unless sooner terminated or extended.
    Conclusion: The first meeting of the National Safe Routes to School 
Task Force to the Secretary of Transportation will be held on January 
11, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., e.t. at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 
550 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20024.

(Authority: Section 1404(h) of Pub. L. 109-59; Pub. L. 92-463, 5 
U.S.C., App. II Sec.  1.)

    Issued on: December 7, 2006.
J. Richard Capka,
Federal Highway Administrator.
 [FR Doc. E6-21226 Filed 12-13-06; 8:45 am]
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