[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 140 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42681-42682]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17846]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Drivers' 
Awareness of and Response to Significant Weather Events and the 
Correlation of Weather to Road Impacts

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 20, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Kevin Barjenbruch, (801) 524-5113 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a regular submission (new collection of 
information).
    This project is a joint effort of the University of Utah (U of U), 
NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS), the Utah Department of 
Transportation (UDOT), and NorthWest Weathernet (NWN) to investigate 
and understand the relationship between meteorological phenomena and 
road conditions, as well as public understanding and response to 
available forecast information. The events which impact the Salt Lake 
City metro area during the winter of 2010-2011 will be examined.
    Through the administration of a targeted survey, important details 
will be gathered regarding: (a) The information that drivers possessed 
prior to and during a storm, including knowledge of observed and 
forecast weather conditions; (b) sources of weather and road 
information; (c) any modification of travel and/or commute plans, based 
on event information; (d) anticipation and perception of storm impacts 
and severity; and (e) perception and behavioral response to messages 
conveyed by the NWS and UDOT, along with their satisfaction of 
information provided. Analyses of the information gathered will focus 
on driver knowledge, perceptions, and decisionmaking.
    Ultimately, the results of this survey will provide insight on how 
the Weather Enterprise may more effectively communicate hazard 
information to the public in a manner which leads to improved response 
(i.e., change travel times, modes, etc.). With a sufficient level of 
behavior change, it should be possible to improve safety and reduce the 
costs associated with weather-related congestion and associated delays. 
Additionally, the project will shed light upon the interrelationship 
between meteorological phenomena, road conditions, and their combined 
impact on travel.

II. Method of Collection

    PEGUS Research, a professional firm, will gather responses via 
random digit dialing, with survey participants providing responses via 
landline or cell phone communication.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission (new collection of information).
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: None.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

[[Page 42682]]

(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 16, 2010.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-17846 Filed 7-21-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KE-P