83 FR 60946 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Approval of a New Information Collection Request: Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on Safety

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 228 (November 27, 2018)

Page Range		60946-60948
FR Document		2018-25839

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its review and approval and invites public comment. This new request titled ``Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on Safety'' will allow for a study that focuses on vehicle maintenance and aims to determine the impact of vehicle maintenance requirements on overall motor carrier safety. This information collection supports the DOT Strategic Goal of Safety.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 228 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 27, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60946-60948]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-25839]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

[Docket No. FMCSA-2018-0189]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Approval of a New 
Information Collection Request: Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements 
and Their Impact on Safety

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FMCSA 
announces its plan to submit the Information Collection Request (ICR) 
described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its 
review and approval and invites public comment. This new request titled 
``Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on Safety'' 
will allow for a study that focuses on vehicle maintenance and aims to 
determine the impact of vehicle maintenance requirements on overall 
motor carrier safety. This information collection supports the DOT 
Strategic Goal of Safety.

DATES: Please send your comments by December 27, 2018. OMB must receive 
your comments by this date in order to act quickly on the ICR.

ADDRESSES: All comments should reference Federal Docket Management 
System (FDMS) Docket Number FMCSA-2018-0189. Interested persons are 
invited to submit written comments on the proposed information 
collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office 
of Management and Budget. Comments should be addressed to the attention 
of the Desk Officer, Department of Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier 
Safety Administration, and sent via electronic mail to 
[email protected], or faxed to (202) 395-6974, or mailed to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, 
DC 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Quon Y. Kwan, Program Manager, 
Technology Division, Department of Transportation, Federal Motor 
Carrier Safety Administration, 6th Floor, West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone: 202-385-2389; 
Email Address: [email protected]. Office hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on 
Safety.
    OMB Control Number: 2126-00XX.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Respondents: Freight motor carriers and passenger carriers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 578 respondents will complete the 
Online Recruitment Survey. Of those 578 respondents, 289 will also 
complete the Carrier Maintenance Manager Survey.
    Estimated Time per Response: Varies [Online Recruitment Survey: 5 
minutes.

[[Page 60947]]

Carrier Maintenance Manager Survey: 45 minutes].
    Expiration Date: Three years after approval.
    Frequency of Response: Once.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 265 hours [Online Recruitment 
Survey: 578 respondents x (5 minutes / 60 minutes) = 48 hours; Carrier 
Maintenance Manager Survey: 289 respondents x (45 minutes / 60 minutes) 
= 217 hours].

Background

    Background: FMCSA's core mission is to reduce crashes, injuries, 
and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. To aid in 
accomplishing this, the Agency uses the Compliance, Safety, 
Accountability (CSA) enforcement program to prioritize and target 
interventions of those motor carriers who are most likely to be 
involved in a future crash. As part of the CSA program, the Agency 
deploys the Safety Measurement System (SMS). SMS uses inspection, 
crash, and investigation data captured in the Motor Carrier Management 
Information System (MCMIS) to calculate a percentile for each motor 
carrier. A motor carrier's SMS percentile is based on its past 
compliance with a complete range of safety-based regulations (such as 
driver safety, hours of service, driver fitness, and vehicle 
maintenance, among others). The survey described in this notice focuses 
on the vehicle maintenance component of those safety regulations. The 
goal of the study is to determine what improvements, ranging from 
better compliance interventions to better vehicle maintenance 
requirements, would enhance motor carrier safety.
    In 2014, the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 
(Volpe) conducted a study to assess the effectiveness of SMS in 
identifying the highest risk motor carriers to be targeted for 
interventions. One finding from the study was that motor carriers 
targeted for intervention due to ``vehicle maintenance'' issues (i.e., 
violations) had a 65 percent higher crash rate compared to the national 
average. These violations are based on Federal and State inspections of 
components critical to the safe operation of the vehicle. It is 
important to recognize that proper and regular preventative maintenance 
(i.e., systematic maintenance programs) among carriers--rather than 
Federal and State inspections, which are by nature limited to the most 
visible or obvious safety-related components--should be the primary 
activity applied to ensure safe equipment operation.
    While these initial findings are important, they raise additional 
questions. One such question is prompted by the stipulation in 49 CFR 
396.3(a), which states that every carrier must have a program to 
``systematically inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause to be 
systematically inspected, repaired, and maintained, all motor vehicles 
and intermodal equipment subject to its control.'' Though this 
regulation provides some direction, there is no supporting definition 
of the word ``systematic,'' and because this term is subjective, it is 
likely to vary from one carrier to another. The lack of specificity 
regarding standard intervals for preventative maintenance makes it 
difficult for Federal and State personnel to evaluate the effectiveness 
of and compliance with a carrier's maintenance program. Furthermore, 
the lack of specificity may make it difficult for carriers to ascertain 
and therefore comply with the regulation's intent.
    The current research effort, augmented by the proposed survey, is 
necessary to improve FMCSA's understanding of the safety impact of 
preventative vehicle maintenance and to clarify the requirements of 
section 396.3(a). The study objectives are as follows:
    1. Develop an operational definition of ``systematic maintenance.''
    2. Evaluate whether current regulations and the intervention 
process could be modified to improve compliance with vehicle 
maintenance requirements. Examples of such requirements include: (i) 
Preventative maintenance intervals, (ii) preventative maintenance 
inspections with adequately trained/equipped mechanics, and (iii) 
adequacy of motor carriers' maintenance facilities. [However, the 
results of the survey will be used only to explore what areas of 
rulemaking and/or other areas, such as policy guidance and training, 
might be useful in the future; the results of the survey will not be 
used for rulemaking, per se.]
    3. Gather information to assist in establishing minimum standards 
for inspection intervals, mechanic qualifications and training, and 
certification of maintenance facilities.
    FMCSA is authorized to conduct this research under 49 U.S.C. 31108, 
Motor Carrier Research and Technology Program. Under section 
31108(a)(3)(C), FMCSA may fund research, development, and technology 
projects that improve the safety and efficiency of commercial motor 
vehicle operations through technological innovation and improvement. 
This information collection supports the U.S. Department of 
Transportation (USDOT) strategic goal of Safety.
    Under contract to FMCSA, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute 
(VTTI) at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VT) 
will use online surveys to obtain the data required to address the 
study objectives. The information collection will be administered in 
two phases:
    Phase I: Online Recruitment Survey. This voluntary, seven-question 
survey will screen carriers and verify their eligibility for Phase II 
participation. To be eligible for Phase II participation, carriers must 
fall into one of two groups: (a) The Recommended Practices (RP) Group, 
which includes carriers with the lowest Vehicle Maintenance and Crash 
Indicator Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASIC) 
percentiles (i.e., less than or equal to the 33rd percentile); or (b) 
the Intervention Effects (IE) Group, which includes carriers that have 
experienced Federal or State interventions in the last 24 months due to 
vehicle maintenance violations. The BASICs are Unsafe Driving, Crash 
Indicator, Hours-of-Service (HOS) Compliance, Vehicle Maintenance, 
Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Hazardous Materials (HM) Compliance, and 
Driver Fitness. More information on the SMS methodology can be found at 
https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/Documents/SMSMethodology.pdf.
    Phase II: Carrier Maintenance Management Survey. This voluntary, 
106-question survey will include questions about demographics; 
maintenance practices, intervals, personnel, and facilities; and State 
and Federal inspections, among other things. The Phase II survey will 
employ branch logic; as such, carriers will be prompted to complete 
different sections based on their survey group (and for one section, 
carrier size). Consequently, no participating carrier will be asked to 
complete all 106 questions.
    In the Phase II survey, carriers (of all sizes) in the RP Group 
will be asked to provide additional information about maintenance 
personnel and facilities (e.g., mechanic training levels, tools 
required for adequate inspection, and certification of facilities) and 
vehicle maintenance issues that may impact safety. Information from the 
RP Group will seek to address Objective 1, relating to development of 
an operational definition of ``systematic maintenance,'' Objective 2, 
and Objective 3, relating to establishment of minimum standards for 
inspection intervals, mechanic qualifications and training, and 
certification of maintenance facilities.
    Carriers in the IE Group will be asked to complete the section on 
intervention effects, which includes questions about

[[Page 60948]]

the status of active interventions or investigations; results of closed 
interventions or investigations; interactions with State versus Federal 
agencies; intervention activities experienced; the accuracy of 
violations leading to interventions; actions taken in response to 
interventions; changes in carrier vehicle maintenance practices as a 
result of an intervention; significant benefits of interventions; and 
ways the intervention process could be improved. Information provided 
by the IE Group will address the portion of Objective 2 regarding 
sufficiency of regulations and where interventions need to be improved 
to facilitate complying with these regulations.
    Survey responses will be summarized and reported using plots, 
tables, content analysis, and calculated summary statistics. Plots and 
tables will provide a visual comparison of multiple choice and checkbox 
survey responses for successful carriers (i.e., carriers in the RP 
Group) and those receiving interventions in the last 24 months (i.e., 
carriers in the IE Group). These methods will also allow researchers to 
summarize responses by carrier operation type (i.e., truck or bus) and 
size. Bar charts will be used to plot responses to many survey 
questions. Some survey responses may be summarized with tables with 
rows for each of the carrier operation types (truck or bus) and each 
carrier-size subgroup. To explore and summarize responses to open-ended 
survey questions, researchers will use content analysis methods. An 
illustration of an open-ended question in the survey is ``List examples 
of critical safety-related maintenance activities for trailer vehicle 
milestones.'' The goal of content analysis of open-ended questions will 
be to identify common answers.
    The results of this information collection will be documented in a 
technical report to be delivered to and published by FMCSA. In 
addition, the results will be used to create a ``recommended best 
practices'' report that will outline minimum standards for inspection 
intervals, mechanic qualifications and training, and certification of 
maintenance facilities. Finally, VTTI is required under the contract 
with FMCSA to compile and analyze the collected information and develop 
a public-use data set.
    This ICR is for a one-time data collection. If this data collection 
does not take place, the truck and bus industry will continue to 
operate with the uncertainty of what constitutes a ``systematic 
maintenance'' program, as currently worded in section 396.3(a). This 
term's ambiguous definition makes it difficult for Federal and State 
inspectors to evaluate the effectiveness of a carrier's maintenance 
program or its compliance with this provision. Furthermore, this 
uncertainty may make it difficult for carriers to ascertain and 
therefore comply with the regulation's intent.
    On July 16, 2018, FMCSA published a 60-day Federal Register notice 
(83 FR 32950). The Agency received four comments. One anonymous comment 
was unrelated to the ICR. Both the American Bus Association and the 
American Trucking Associations voiced support for the ICR in their 
comment letters. The National School Transportation Association also 
voiced support for the ICR, but it requested that the survey instrument 
include questions to identify the type of commercial motor vehicles 
operated by the respondent. In response, the Agency reviewed and 
revised three survey questions to better differentiate between various 
types of passenger-carrying CMVs.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including: (1) Whether the proposed 
collection is necessary for FMCSA to perform its functions; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA to enhance the 
quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information.

    Issued under the authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.87 on: November 
20, 2018.
G. Kelly Regal,
Associate Administrator for Office of Research and Information 
Technology.
[FR Doc. 2018-25839 Filed 11-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P

60946 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 27, 2018 / Notices

license holder population does not Matthew H. Albrecht, (PA) FMCSA announces its plan to submit
support the contention that individuals Raymond Amundson, (OK) the Information Collection Request (ICR)
with hearing impairment are at an Michael Arwood, (TN) described below to the Office of
increased risk for a crash. In addition, Jonathan D. Ball, (PA) Management and Budget (OMB) for its
the Agency reviewed each applicant’s Gerald Bennett, (NH) review and approval and invites public
driving record found in the Commercial Dominick Booker, (PA) comment. This new request titled
Driver’s License Information System Michael Borman, (CO) ‘‘Truck and Bus Maintenance
(CDLIS), for commercial driver’s license Russel Brannan, (GA) Requirements and Their Impact on
(CDL) holders, and inspections recorded Gerald Buoniconti, (MA) Safety’’ will allow for a study that
in the Motor Carrier Management Luke C. Bundrum, (GA) focuses on vehicle maintenance and
Information System (MCMIS). For non- Steven D. Chambers, (OK) aims to determine the impact of vehicle
CDL holders, the Agency reviewed the Michael Dohanish, (OH) maintenance requirements on overall
driving records from the State Driver’s Ralph K. Domel, (TX)
motor carrier safety. This information
Licensing Agency (SDLA). Each Jacquelyn Hetherington, (OK)
Julian Koch, (TX) collection supports the DOT Strategic
applicant’s record demonstrated a safe Goal of Safety.
driving history. Based on an individual Jeremy Lampart, (SC)
Jay Larson, (TX) DATES: Please send your comments by
assessment of each applicant that December 27, 2018. OMB must receive
Thomas E. McLaughlin, (NY)
focused on whether an equal or greater your comments by this date in order to
Dustin R. Miller, (MI)
level of safety is likely to be achieved by act quickly on the ICR.
Eric D. Peer, (DE)
permitting each of these drivers to drive ADDRESSES: All comments should
Jose B. Ramirez, (IL)
in interstate commerce as opposed to Donald Reamsayder, (FL) reference Federal Docket Management
restricting him or her to driving in Kenneth W. Reimer, (WI) System (FDMS) Docket Number
intrastate commerce, the Agency Troy Rolland, (TX) FMCSA–2018–0189. Interested persons
believes the drivers granted this Thomas D. Sneer, (MN) are invited to submit written comments
exemption have demonstrated that they Carlos Talamantes, (TX) on the proposed information collection
do not pose a risk to public safety. Kenneth Weaver, (TX)
Consequently, FMCSA finds that in to the Office of Information and
Paul Whetstone, (AZ) Regulatory Affairs, Office of
each case exempting these applicants Jason Wynne, (TX)
from the hearing standard in 49 CFR Management and Budget. Comments
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315, should be addressed to the attention of
391.41(b)(11) is likely to achieve a level
each exemption will be valid for two the Desk Officer, Department of
of safety equal to that existing without
years from the effective date unless Transportation/Federal Motor Carrier
the exemption.
revoked earlier by FMCSA. The Safety Administration, and sent via
V. Conditions and Requirements exemption will be revoked if the electronic mail to oira_submission@
The terms and conditions of the following occurs: (1) The person fails to omb.eop.gov, or faxed to (202) 395–
exemption are provided to the comply with the terms and conditions 6974, or mailed to the Office of
applicants in the exemption document of the exemption; (2) the exemption has Information and Regulatory Affairs,
and includes the following: (1) Each resulted in a lower level of safety than Office of Management and Budget,
driver must report any crashes or was maintained prior to being granted; Docket Library, Room 10102, 725 17th
accidents as defined in 49 CFR 390.5; or (3) continuation of the exemption Street NW, Washington, DC 20503.
(2) each driver must report all citations would not be consistent with the goals FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and convictions for disqualifying and objectives of 49 U.S.C. 31136 and Quon Y. Kwan, Program Manager,
offenses under 49 CFR part 383 and 49 31315. Technology Division, Department of
CFR 391 to FMCSA; and (3) each driver Issued on: November 20, 2018. Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier
is prohibited from operating a Larry W. Minor, Safety Administration, 6th Floor, West
motorcoach or bus with passengers in Associate Administrator for Policy. Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
interstate commerce. The driver must [FR Doc. 2018–25842 Filed 11–26–18; 8:45 am]
Washington, DC 20590–0001.
also have a copy of the exemption when Telephone: 202–385–2389; Email
BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P
driving, for presentation to a duly Address: quon.kwan@dot.gov. Office
authorized Federal, State, or local hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
enforcement official. In addition, the DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION through Friday, except Federal
exemption does not exempt the Holidays.
individual from meeting the applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
CDL testing requirements. Administration Title: Truck and Bus Maintenance
VI. Preemption [Docket No. FMCSA–2018–0189] Requirements and Their Impact on
Safety.
During the period the exemption is in OMB Control Number: 2126–00XX.
Agency Information Collection
effect, no State shall enforce any law or Type of Request: New information
Activities; Approval of a New
regulation that conflicts with this collection.
Information Collection Request: Truck
exemption with respect to a person Respondents: Freight motor carriers
and Bus Maintenance Requirements
operating under the exemption. and passenger carriers.
and Their Impact on Safety
Estimated Number of Respondents:
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VII. Conclusion
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 578 respondents will complete the
Based upon its evaluation of the 30 Administration (FMCSA), DOT. Online Recruitment Survey. Of those
exemption applications, FMCSA ACTION: Notice and request for 578 respondents, 289 will also complete
exempts the following drivers from the comments. the Carrier Maintenance Manager
hearing standard, 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11), Survey.
subject to the requirements cited above: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Estimated Time per Response: Varies
David Alagna, (IL) Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, [Online Recruitment Survey: 5 minutes.

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 27, 2018 / Notices 60947

Carrier Maintenance Manager Survey: prompted by the stipulation in 49 CFR Under contract to FMCSA, the
45 minutes]. 396.3(a), which states that every carrier Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
Expiration Date: Three years after must have a program to ‘‘systematically (VTTI) at the Virginia Polytechnic
approval. inspect, repair, and maintain, or cause Institute and State University (VT) will
Frequency of Response: Once. to be systematically inspected, repaired, use online surveys to obtain the data
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 265 and maintained, all motor vehicles and required to address the study objectives.
hours [Online Recruitment Survey: 578 intermodal equipment subject to its The information collection will be
respondents × (5 minutes ÷ 60 minutes) control.’’ Though this regulation administered in two phases:
= 48 hours; Carrier Maintenance provides some direction, there is no Phase I: Online Recruitment Survey.
Manager Survey: 289 respondents × (45 supporting definition of the word This voluntary, seven-question survey
minutes ÷ 60 minutes) = 217 hours]. ‘‘systematic,’’ and because this term is will screen carriers and verify their
Background subjective, it is likely to vary from one eligibility for Phase II participation. To
carrier to another. The lack of specificity be eligible for Phase II participation,
Background: FMCSA’s core mission is carriers must fall into one of two groups:
regarding standard intervals for
to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities (a) The Recommended Practices (RP)
preventative maintenance makes it
involving large trucks and buses. To aid Group, which includes carriers with the
difficult for Federal and State personnel
in accomplishing this, the Agency uses lowest Vehicle Maintenance and Crash
to evaluate the effectiveness of and
the Compliance, Safety, Accountability Indicator Behavior Analysis and Safety
(CSA) enforcement program to prioritize compliance with a carrier’s maintenance
program. Furthermore, the lack of Improvement Categories (BASIC)
and target interventions of those motor percentiles (i.e., less than or equal to the
carriers who are most likely to be specificity may make it difficult for
carriers to ascertain and therefore 33rd percentile); or (b) the Intervention
involved in a future crash. As part of the Effects (IE) Group, which includes
CSA program, the Agency deploys the comply with the regulation’s intent.
The current research effort, carriers that have experienced Federal
Safety Measurement System (SMS). or State interventions in the last 24
SMS uses inspection, crash, and augmented by the proposed survey, is
necessary to improve FMCSA’s months due to vehicle maintenance
investigation data captured in the Motor violations. The BASICs are Unsafe
Carrier Management Information System understanding of the safety impact of
preventative vehicle maintenance and to Driving, Crash Indicator, Hours-of-
(MCMIS) to calculate a percentile for Service (HOS) Compliance, Vehicle
each motor carrier. A motor carrier’s clarify the requirements of section
396.3(a). The study objectives are as Maintenance, Controlled Substances/
SMS percentile is based on its past Alcohol, Hazardous Materials (HM)
compliance with a complete range of follows:
Compliance, and Driver Fitness. More
safety-based regulations (such as driver 1. Develop an operational definition
information on the SMS methodology
safety, hours of service, driver fitness, of ‘‘systematic maintenance.’’
can be found at https://
and vehicle maintenance, among 2. Evaluate whether current
csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/Documents/
others). The survey described in this regulations and the intervention process
SMSMethodology.pdf.
notice focuses on the vehicle could be modified to improve Phase II: Carrier Maintenance
maintenance component of those safety compliance with vehicle maintenance Management Survey. This voluntary,
regulations. The goal of the study is to requirements. Examples of such 106-question survey will include
determine what improvements, ranging requirements include: (i) Preventative questions about demographics;
from better compliance interventions to maintenance intervals, (ii) preventative maintenance practices, intervals,
better vehicle maintenance maintenance inspections with personnel, and facilities; and State and
requirements, would enhance motor adequately trained/equipped Federal inspections, among other things.
carrier safety. mechanics, and (iii) adequacy of motor The Phase II survey will employ branch
In 2014, the John A. Volpe National carriers’ maintenance facilities. logic; as such, carriers will be prompted
Transportation Systems Center (Volpe) [However, the results of the survey will to complete different sections based on
conducted a study to assess the be used only to explore what areas of their survey group (and for one section,
effectiveness of SMS in identifying the rulemaking and/or other areas, such as carrier size). Consequently, no
highest risk motor carriers to be targeted policy guidance and training, might be participating carrier will be asked to
for interventions. One finding from the useful in the future; the results of the complete all 106 questions.
study was that motor carriers targeted survey will not be used for rulemaking, In the Phase II survey, carriers (of all
for intervention due to ‘‘vehicle per se.] sizes) in the RP Group will be asked to
maintenance’’ issues (i.e., violations) 3. Gather information to assist in provide additional information about
had a 65 percent higher crash rate establishing minimum standards for maintenance personnel and facilities
compared to the national average. These inspection intervals, mechanic (e.g., mechanic training levels, tools
violations are based on Federal and qualifications and training, and required for adequate inspection, and
State inspections of components critical certification of maintenance facilities. certification of facilities) and vehicle
to the safe operation of the vehicle. It is FMCSA is authorized to conduct this maintenance issues that may impact
important to recognize that proper and research under 49 U.S.C. 31108, Motor safety. Information from the RP Group
regular preventative maintenance (i.e., Carrier Research and Technology will seek to address Objective 1, relating
systematic maintenance programs) Program. Under section 31108(a)(3)(C), to development of an operational
among carriers—rather than Federal and FMCSA may fund research, definition of ‘‘systematic maintenance,’’
State inspections, which are by nature development, and technology projects Objective 2, and Objective 3, relating to
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limited to the most visible or obvious that improve the safety and efficiency of establishment of minimum standards for
safety-related components—should be commercial motor vehicle operations inspection intervals, mechanic
the primary activity applied to ensure through technological innovation and qualifications and training, and
safe equipment operation. improvement. This information certification of maintenance facilities.
While these initial findings are collection supports the U.S. Department Carriers in the IE Group will be asked
important, they raise additional of Transportation (USDOT) strategic to complete the section on intervention
questions. One such question is goal of Safety. effects, which includes questions about

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60948 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 228 / Tuesday, November 27, 2018 / Notices

the status of active interventions or it difficult for Federal and State commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
investigations; results of closed inspectors to evaluate the effectiveness drivers. SC&RA currently holds an
interventions or investigations; of a carrier’s maintenance program or its exemption valid through November 1,
interactions with State versus Federal compliance with this provision. 2018. The exemption renewal is for five
agencies; intervention activities Furthermore, this uncertainty may make years. All qualifying motor carriers and
experienced; the accuracy of violations it difficult for carriers to ascertain and drivers operating mobile cranes with a
leading to interventions; actions taken therefore comply with the regulation’s rated lifting capacity of greater than 30
in response to interventions; changes in intent. tons are exempt from the 30-minute
carrier vehicle maintenance practices as On July 16, 2018, FMCSA published break provision.
a result of an intervention; significant a 60-day Federal Register notice (83 FR DATES: The renewed exemption is
benefits of interventions; and ways the 32950). The Agency received four effective through November 1, 2023.
intervention process could be improved. comments. One anonymous comment Comments must be received on or
Information provided by the IE Group was unrelated to the ICR. Both the before December 27, 2018.
will address the portion of Objective 2 American Bus Association and the
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
regarding sufficiency of regulations and American Trucking Associations voiced
identified by Federal Docket
where interventions need to be support for the ICR in their comment
Management System Number FMCSA–
improved to facilitate complying with letters. The National School
2016–0096 by any of the following
these regulations. Transportation Association also voiced
Survey responses will be summarized methods:
support for the ICR, but it requested that
• Federal eRulemaking Portal:
and reported using plots, tables, content the survey instrument include questions
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
analysis, and calculated summary to identify the type of commercial motor
statistics. Plots and tables will provide instructions for submitting comments.
vehicles operated by the respondent. In • Mail: Docket Management Facility,
a visual comparison of multiple choice response, the Agency reviewed and U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200
and checkbox survey responses for revised three survey questions to better New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building,
successful carriers (i.e., carriers in the differentiate between various types of
RP Group) and those receiving Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
passenger-carrying CMVs. Washington, DC 20590–0001.
interventions in the last 24 months (i.e., Public Comments Invited: You are
• Hand Delivery or Courier: West
carriers in the IE Group). These methods asked to comment on any aspect of this
Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–
will also allow researchers to information collection, including: (1)
summarize responses by carrier 140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Whether the proposed collection is
operation type (i.e., truck or bus) and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. E.T., Monday
necessary for FMCSA to perform its
size. Bar charts will be used to plot through Friday, except Federal holidays.
functions; (2) the accuracy of the • Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
responses to many survey questions. estimated burden; (3) ways for FMCSA Each submission must include the
Some survey responses may be to enhance the quality, usefulness, and Agency name and the docket number for
summarized with tables with rows for clarity of the collected information; and this notice. Note that DOT posts all
each of the carrier operation types (truck (4) ways that the burden could be comments received without change to
or bus) and each carrier-size subgroup. minimized without reducing the quality
To explore and summarize responses to www.regulations.gov, including any
of the collected information. personal information included in a
open-ended survey questions,
Issued under the authority delegated in 49 comment. Please see the Privacy Act
researchers will use content analysis CFR 1.87 on: November 20, 2018.
methods. An illustration of an open- heading below.
G. Kelly Regal, Docket: For access to the docket to
ended question in the survey is ‘‘List
examples of critical safety-related
Associate Administrator for Office of read background documents or
Research and Information Technology. comments, go to www.regulations.gov at
maintenance activities for trailer vehicle
milestones.’’ The goal of content [FR Doc. 2018–25839 Filed 11–26–18; 8:45 am] any time or visit Room W12–140 on the
analysis of open-ended questions will BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P ground level of the West Building, 1200
be to identify common answers. New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington,
The results of this information DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET,
collection will be documented in a DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Monday through Friday, except Federal
technical report to be delivered to and holidays. The on-line FDMS is available
Federal Motor Carrier Safety 24 hours each day, 365 days each year.
published by FMCSA. In addition, the Administration
results will be used to create a Privacy Act: In accordance with 5
‘‘recommended best practices’’ report [Docket No. FMCSA–2016–0096] U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments
that will outline minimum standards for from the public to better inform its
inspection intervals, mechanic Hours of Service of Drivers: rulemaking process. DOT posts these
qualifications and training, and Specialized Carriers & Rigging comments, without edit, including any
certification of maintenance facilities. Association (SC&RA); Application for personal information the commenter
Finally, VTTI is required under the Exemption provides, to www.regulations.gov, as
contract with FMCSA to compile and AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety described in the system of records
analyze the collected information and Administration (FMCSA), DOT. notice (DOT/ALL–14 FDMS), which can
develop a public-use data set. be reviewed at www.dot.gov/privacy.
ACTION: Notice of renewal of exemption;
This ICR is for a one-time data FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1

request for comments.
collection. If this data collection does information concerning this notice,
not take place, the truck and bus SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its contact Ms. Pearlie Robinson, FMCSA
industry will continue to operate with decision to renew the Specialized Driver and Carrier Operations Division;
the uncertainty of what constitutes a Carriers & Rigging Association’s Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle
‘‘systematic maintenance’’ program, as (SC&RA) exemption from the 30-minute Safety Standards; Telephone: 202–366–
currently worded in section 396.3(a). rest break rule of the Agency’s hours-of- 4225. Email: MCPSD@dot.gov. If you
This term’s ambiguous definition makes service (HOS) regulations for certain have questions on viewing or submitting

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Document Created: 2018-11-27 01:25:39
Document Modified: 2018-11-27 01:25:39

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		Please send your comments by December 27, 2018. OMB must receive your comments by this date in order to act quickly on the ICR.
Contact		Quon Y. Kwan, Program Manager, Technology Division, Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 6th Floor, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001. Telephone: 202-385-2389;
FR Citation		83 FR 60946

83 FR 60946 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Approval of a New Information Collection Request: Truck and Bus Maintenance Requirements and Their Impact on Safety

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 228 (November 27, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration