SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Intermodal Freight Facilities Air-to-Truck and Mail Cargo Geospatial Data Update.

Background: The National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) is a legislatively mandated program (49 U.S.C. 6309) managed by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). BTS maintains geodatabases that depict transportation networks; flows of people, goods, and vehicles over the transportation networks; and social, economic, and environmental conditions that affect or are affected by those networks. These geodatabases also support intermodal network analysis. In addition, 49 U.S.C. 6303(b)(3) mandates BTS to establish and maintain an Intermodal Transportation Database that includes information on the location and connectivity of transportation facilities and services. As a result, the “Intermodal Freight Facilities Air-to-Truck” dataset is a critical component of these BTS mandates. BTS created a dedicated air-to-truck intermodal dataset for the top 60 freight airports in 2018, which was finalized in early 2019 using various publicly available resources. BTS analysts reviewed airports' websites for master plans or layout maps to ascertain the presence of intermodal freight terminals and then used satellite imagery and Google Maps and Street View to estimate the center point of these facilities while also compiling physical and operational attributes for the facilities.

BTS is currently updating this dataset by better embracing stakeholder communication in response to the GAO-25-107334 report, which outlined concerns about the reliability and limitations of air cargo infrastructure and operations data.

Additionally, as part of this update, BTS seeks to expand its data collection to include 113 freight airports, which collectively accounted for approximately 98 percent of all freight movement in 2024. This expansion will provide more complete coverage of these intermodal facilities and directly support BTS's statutory mandates under:

(1) 49 U.S.C. 6302(b)(3)(B)(vi)(III): To document the extent, connectivity, and condition of the transportation system, building upon the National Transportation Atlas Database developed under section 6309; and

(2) 49 U.S.C. 6302(b)(3)(B)(vii): To compile intermodal geospatial data and collect unique geospatial data not currently captured by other entities.

This new approach will supplement BTS' previous efforts by enabling the bureau to reach out directly to airport industry experts, having them complete a two-part web-based mapping application:

(1) Survey: A questionnaire focused on the physical and operational characteristics and current status of intermodal air-to truck freight facilities, and

(2) Interactive Map: A review of preliminary facility locations that respondents can verify by approving or rejecting mapped facilities.

This process will ensure that BTS's findings are consistent and validated by those with expert knowledge of the current conditions of intermodal air-to-truck facilities around the United States.

Respondents: The target population will be airport industry expert(s) at each of the 113 U.S. airports that collectively moved about 98 percent of U.S. freight in 2024.

Estimated Average Burden per Response: The burden per respondent is estimated to average 30 minutes. This average is the estimated time needed to complete the survey questions and access a web-based mapping application to verify the locations of intermodal facilities on airport property.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: The total annual burden (in the period that the survey is conducted) is estimated to be 56.5 hours (3,390 minutes), i.e., 30 minutes per respondent for 113 respondents.

Frequency: This is a single occurrence to update the Intermodal Freight Air-to-Truck dataset.

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.

( printed page 53937)

Authority:49 U.S.C. Ch. 63 § 6302(b)(3)(B)(vi) (XI) intermodal and multimodal freight movement; and § 6303(c)(1) information on the volumes and patterns of movement of goods, including local, interregional, and international movement, by all modes of transportation, intermodal combinations, and relevant classification and (3) information on the location and connectivity of transportation facilities and services; and § 6309.

91 FR 53935