81 FR 5819 - Notice of Request for Clearance of a Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: National Census of Ferry Operators
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 22 (February 3, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 22 (February 3, 2016)
| Page Range | 5819-5820 | |
| FR Document | 2016-01831 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 5819-5820] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-01831] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. DOT-OST-2016-0007] Notice of Request for Clearance of a Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection: National Census of Ferry Operators AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), DOT. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the BTS to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) approval for an information collection related to the nation's ferry operations. The information collected will be used to produce a descriptive database of existing ferry operations. A summary report of survey findings will also be published by BTS on the BTS Web page. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 4, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by DOT Docket ID Number DOT-OST-2016-0007 to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Dockets Management System (DMS). You may submit your comments by mail or in person to the Docket Clerk, Docket No., U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., West Building, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. Comments should identify the docket number as indicated above. Paper comments should be submitted in duplicate. The DMS is open for examination and copying, at the above address, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. If you wish to receive confirmation of receipt of your written comments, please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the following statement: ``Comments on Docket DOT-OST-2016-0007.'' The Docket Clerk will date stamp the postcard prior to returning it to you via the U.S. mail. Please note that due to delays in the delivery of U.S. mail to Federal offices in Washington, DC, we recommend that persons consider an alternative method (the Internet, fax, or professional delivery service) to submit comments to the docket and ensure their timely receipt at U.S. DOT. You may fax your comments to the DMS at (202) 493-2251. Comments can also be viewed and/or submitted via the Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Please note that anyone is able to electronically search all comments received into our docket management system 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 (Volume 65, Number 70; pages 19475-19570) or you may review the Privacy Act Statement at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janine L. Bonner, (202) 366-2468, NCFO Project Manager, BTS, OST-R, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Room E34-411, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Census of Ferry Operators (NCFO). Background: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) (P.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 ferry operators to identify: (1) Existing ferry operations including the location and routes served; (2) source and amount, if any, of funds derived from Federal, State, or local governments supporting ferry construction or operations; (3) potential domestic ferry routes in the United States and its possessions; and (4) potential for use of high speed ferry services and alternative-fueled ferry [[Page 5820]] services. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act-A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Public Law 109-59, Section 1801(e)) required that the Secretary, acting through the BTS, shall establish and maintain a national ferry database containing current information regarding routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding sources and such other information as the Secretary considers useful. MAP-21 legislation [Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112-141)], continued the BTS mandate to conduct the NCFO and also required that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) use the NCFO data to set the specific formula for allocating federal ferry funds. The funding allocations were based on a percentage of the number of passenger boardings, vehicle boardings, and route miles served. BTS conducted the first Census of Ferry Operators in 2006. The Census was conducted again in 2008, 2010, 2014, and will be again in spring 2016. These information collections were originally approved by OMB under Control Number 2139-0009. The recently enacted FAST Act legislation [Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114- 94, sec. 1112)] continues the BTS mandate to conduct the NCFO on a biennial basis, and extended the requirement that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) use the NCFO data to set the specific formula for allocating federal ferry funds based on a percentage of the number of passenger boardings, vehicle boardings, and route miles served. The overall length of the revised questionnaire for the 2018 NCFO will remain consistent with that of previous years. The survey will be administered to the entire population of ferry operators (estimate 260 or less). The survey will request the respondents to provide information such as: the points served; the type of ownership; the number of passengers and vehicles carried in the past 12 months; vessel descriptions (including type of fuel), federal, state and local funding sources, and intermodal connectivity. All data collected in 2018 will be added to the existing NCFO database. Respondents: The target population for the survey will be all of the approximately 260 operators of existing ferry services in the United States. Estimated Average Burden per Response: The burden per respondent is estimated to be an average of 30 minutes. This average is based on an estimate of 20 minutes to answer new questions and an additional 10 minutes to review. Estimated Total Annual Burden: The total annual burden (in the year that the survey is conducted) is estimated to be just under 130 hours (that is 30 minutes per respondent for 260 respondents equals 7,800 minutes). Frequency: This survey will be updated every other year. Public Comments Invited: Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including, but not limited to: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the DOT; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, clarity and content of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB's clearance of this information collection. Authority: The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, (Pub. L. 105-178), section 1207(c), The Safe, Accountable, Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act-A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Pub. L. 109-59, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) Pub. L. 112-141, 49 CFR 1.46, and Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114-94, sec. 1112). Issued in Washington, DC, on the 21st of January, 2016. Patricia Hu, Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. [FR Doc. 2016-01831 Filed 2-2-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-9X-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 3, 2016 / Notices 5819
• Description of trips that were consideration (e.g., municipal police If you wish to receive confirmation of
eliminated due to APC data that failed force). Additionally, employing an receipt of your written comments,
diagnostic tests, independent police force is an please include a self-addressed,
• Comparison of distances between operational decision and the related stamped postcard with the following
stops used by the two methods, expenses are justifiable operating cost. statement: ‘‘Comments on Docket DOT–
• Passenger count comparison (% FTA suggests that data users consider OST–2016–0007.’’
difference), security arrangements when selecting The Docket Clerk will date stamp the
• Passenger miles comparison (% peer groups for comparison in order to postcard prior to returning it to you via
difference), and control for differences in operating cost. the U.S. mail. Please note that due to
• Calculation of unbalanced error FTA seeks comment from transit delays in the delivery of U.S. mail to
over all trips (sum of magnitude of systems on this decision. Federal offices in Washington, DC, we
differences in on and off counts at each FTA thanks our stakeholders in recommend that persons consider an
stop as a percentage of the sum of advance for providing comment on the alternative method (the Internet, fax, or
manually counted on and offs). above proposed changes to the NTD professional delivery service) to submit
FTA would certify APC systems reporting requirement. comments to the docket and ensure
where the passenger count comparison, their timely receipt at U.S. DOT. You
passenger mile comparison, and Therese W. McMillan,
may fax your comments to the DMS at
unbalanced error over all benchmark Acting Administrator.
(202) 493–2251. Comments can also be
trips are each less than five percent [FR Doc. 2016–01941 Filed 2–2–16; 8:45 am]
viewed and/or submitted via the Federal
(5%). Reporters that file a reduced BILLING CODE P Rulemaking Portal: http://
report (formerly called a small systems www.regulations.gov.
waiver) do not need to meet the Please note that anyone is able to
standards for passenger miles or DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION electronically search all comments
unbalanced error. [Docket No. DOT–OST–2016–0007] received into our docket management
We propose to eliminate the system by the name of the individual
maintenance plan requirement and Notice of Request for Clearance of a submitting the comment (or signing the
replace it with a repetition of the Revision of a Currently Approved comment if submitted on behalf of an
benchmarking test in every fiscal year Information Collection: National association, business, labor union, etc.).
that is evenly divisible by three. APC Census of Ferry Operators You may review DOT’s complete
systems already approved for NTD Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
reporting would need to be retested in AGENCY: Bureau of Transportation
Statistics (BTS), Office of the Assistant Register published on April 11, 2000
the next fiscal year that is evenly (Volume 65, Number 70; pages 19475–
divisible by three. Secretary for Research and Technology
(OST–R), DOT. 19570) or you may review the Privacy
Transit agencies that collect this
Act Statement at http://
ridership data on all (>98 percent) of ACTION: Notice and request for
www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.
their vehicle trips may correct for comments.
missing trips using average values. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
However, if the vehicle trips with SUMMARY: In accordance with the Janine L. Bonner, (202) 366–2468, NCFO
missing data exceed two percent (2%) of requirements of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Project Manager, BTS, OST–R,
all trips, agencies would need to have a the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Department of Transportation, 1200
qualified statistician approve the this notice announces the intention of New Jersey Ave. SE., Room E34–411,
correction (or expansion) method. This the BTS to request the Office of Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are
is consistent with our treatment of Management and Budget’s (OMB’s) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., E.T.,
manual counting methods and does not approval for an information collection Monday through Friday, except Federal
represent a change in policy. Thus an related to the nation’s ferry operations. holidays.
agency that does not have a fleet that is The information collected will be used SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
fully-equipped with APCs could use to produce a descriptive database of Title: National Census of Ferry
APC data in any NTD-approved existing ferry operations. A summary Operators (NCFO).
sampling plan. report of survey findings will also be Background: The Transportation
published by BTS on the BTS Web page. Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA–
IV. Additional Comment Request DATES: Comments must be submitted on 21) (P.L. 105–178), section 1207(c),
Additionally, FTA considered or before April 4, 2016. directed the Secretary of Transportation
requiring transit systems to report their ADDRESSES: You may submit comments to conduct a study of ferry
police force expense as a separate non- identified by DOT Docket ID Number transportation in the United States and
add item in the F–30 Operating DOT–OST–2016–0007 to the U.S. its possessions. In 2000, the Federal
Expenses form in addition to reporting Department of Transportation (DOT), Highway Administration (FHWA) Office
it in the appropriate operating expense Dockets Management System (DMS). of Intermodal and Statewide Planning
object classes (e.g., Salaries and Wages You may submit your comments by mail conducted a survey of approximately
and Fringe Benefits). This change would or in person to the Docket Clerk, Docket 250 ferry operators to identify: (1)
have enabled a transit system with its No., U.S. Department of Transportation, Existing ferry operations including the
own independent police force to 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., West location and routes served; (2) source
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
subtract the police force expense from Building, Room W12–140, Washington, and amount, if any, of funds derived
total operating expenses in order to DC 20590. Comments should identify from Federal, State, or local
perform a fair peer evaluation against the docket number as indicated above. governments supporting ferry
another entity without its own police Paper comments should be submitted construction or operations; (3) potential
force. However, FTA decided against in duplicate. The DMS is open for domestic ferry routes in the United
this change, as there are other types of examination and copying, at the above States and its possessions; and (4)
police or security force arrangements address, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday potential for use of high speed ferry
that are not included in this through Friday, except federal holidays. services and alternative-fueled ferry
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![5820 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 22 / Wednesday, February 3, 2016 / Notices
services. The Safe, Accountable, questions and an additional 10 minutes DATES: The meeting will be held on
Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity to review. Tuesday, February 16, 2016, from 1–
Act-A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) Estimated Total Annual Burden: The 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Public Law 109–59, Section 1801(e)) total annual burden (in the year that the ADDRESSES: The Advisory Committee on
required that the Secretary, acting survey is conducted) is estimated to be Risk-Sharing Mechanisms meeting will
through the BTS, shall establish and just under 130 hours (that is 30 minutes be held in Room 4121, Department of
maintain a national ferry database per respondent for 260 respondents the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania
containing current information equals 7,800 minutes). Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20220.
regarding routes, vessels, passengers Frequency: This survey will be The meeting will be open to the public.
and vehicles carried, funding sources updated every other year. Because the meeting will be held in a
and such other information as the Public Comments Invited: Interested secured facility, members of the public
Secretary considers useful. MAP–21 parties are invited to send comments who plan to attend the meeting must
legislation [Moving Ahead for Progress regarding any aspect of this information either:
in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112– collection, including, but not limited to: 1. Register online. Attendees may visit
141)], continued the BTS mandate to (1) The necessity and utility of the http://www.cvent.com/d/vfq8ms?
conduct the NCFO and also required information collection for the proper ct=6128d144-9ad5-45f5-910c-c7b44560
that the Federal Highway performance of the functions of the aae0&RefID=TRIA+General+
Administration (FHWA) use the NCFO DOT; (2) the accuracy of the estimated Registration and fill out a secure online
data to set the specific formula for burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, registration form. A valid email address
allocating federal ferry funds. The utility, clarity and content of the will be required to complete online
funding allocations were based on a collected information; and (4) ways to registration.
percentage of the number of passenger minimize the collection burden without (Note: Online registration will close at 5
boardings, vehicle boardings, and route reducing the quality of the collected p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, February 11,
miles served. information. Comments submitted in 2016.)
BTS conducted the first Census of response to this notice will be
2. Contact the Federal Insurance
Ferry Operators in 2006. The Census summarized and/or included in the
Office (FIO), at (202) 622–5892, by 5
was conducted again in 2008, 2010, request for OMB’s clearance of this
p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday,
2014, and will be again in spring 2016. information collection.
February 11, 2016, and provide
These information collections were Authority: The Transportation Equity Act registration information.
originally approved by OMB under for the 21st Century, (Pub. L. 105–178), Requests for reasonable
Control Number 2139–0009. The section 1207(c), The Safe, Accountable, accommodations under Section 504 of
recently enacted FAST Act legislation Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act– the Rehabilitation Act should be
[Fixing America’s Surface A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA–LU) Pub. L.
109–59, Moving Ahead for Progress in the
directed to Marcia Wilson, Office of
Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114–94, sec. Civil Rights and Diversity, Department
1112)] continues the BTS mandate to 21st Century Act (MAP–21) Pub. L. 112–141,
49 CFR 1.46, and Fixing America’s Surface of the Treasury at (202) 622–8177, or
conduct the NCFO on a biennial basis, Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114–94, sec. marcia.wilson@treasury.gov.
and extended the requirement that the 1112). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Federal Highway Administration Brett D. Hewitt, Policy Advisor, FIO,
(FHWA) use the NCFO data to set the Issued in Washington, DC, on the 21st of
January, 2016. Room 1410, Department of the Treasury,
specific formula for allocating federal 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.,
ferry funds based on a percentage of the Patricia Hu,
Director, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Washington, DC 20220, at (202) 622–
number of passenger boardings, vehicle 5892 (this is not a toll-free number).
boardings, and route miles served. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research
and Technology. Persons who have difficulty hearing or
overall length of the revised speaking may access this number via
[FR Doc. 2016–01831 Filed 2–2–16; 8:45 am]
questionnaire for the 2018 NCFO will TTY by calling the toll-free Federal
remain consistent with that of previous BILLING CODE 4910–9X–P
Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.
years. The survey will be administered
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of
to the entire population of ferry
operators (estimate 260 or less). The DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY this meeting is provided in accordance
survey will request the respondents to with the Federal Advisory Committee
provide information such as: the points Open Meeting of the Advisory Act, 5 U.S.C. App. II 10(a)(2), through
served; the type of ownership; the Committee on Risk-Sharing implementing regulations at 41 CFR
number of passengers and vehicles Mechanisms 102–3.150.
Public Comment: Members of the
carried in the past 12 months; vessel AGENCY: Departmental Offices, U.S. public wishing to comment on the
descriptions (including type of fuel), Department of the Treasury. business of the Advisory Committee on
federal, state and local funding sources, ACTION: Notice of open meeting. Risk-Sharing Mechanisms are invited to
and intermodal connectivity. All data
submit written statements by any of the
collected in 2018 will be added to the SUMMARY: This notice announces that following methods:
existing NCFO database. the Department of the Treasury’s
Respondents: The target population Advisory Committee on Risk-Sharing Electronic Statements
for the survey will be all of the • Send electronic comments to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Mechanisms (‘‘Committee’’) will
approximately 260 operators of existing convene a meeting on Tuesday, ACRSM@treasury.gov.
ferry services in the United States. February 16, 2016, in Room 4121, 1500
Estimated Average Burden per Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, Paper Statements
Response: The burden per respondent is DC 20220, from 1–4:30 p.m. Eastern • Send paper statements in triplicate
estimated to be an average of 30 Time. The meeting is open to the public, to the Advisory Committee on Risk-
minutes. This average is based on an and the site is accessible to individuals Sharing Mechanisms, Room 1410,
estimate of 20 minutes to answer new with disabilities. Department of the Treasury, 1500
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Document Created: 2016-02-03 00:40:17
Document Modified: 2016-02-03 00:40:17
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Comments must be submitted on or before April 4, 2016. | |
| Contact | Janine L. Bonner, (202) 366-2468, NCFO Project Manager, BTS, OST-R, Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE., Room E34-411, Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 5819 |
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