FR 2021-01995

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued a notice seeking public feedback on a proposed information collection related to highway noise barriers. This is done as part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The public is invited to comment on the need for such data collection and the potential burden it may impose. Comments are open until March 3, 2021, and can be submitted in various forms including online, fax, and traditional mail.

General Summary

The document outlines the FHWA's intent to collect information periodically on noise barriers constructed along highways across the United States. Noise barriers serve the purpose of reducing the impact of highway noise on surrounding communities. The notice is calling for public input on several fronts, such as the necessity of data collection, estimated burdens, and how the process can be improved. Respondents include state departments of transportation (SDOTs) from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One significant issue is that while the document outlines the estimated burden in terms of hours, it lacks detailed information on the anticipated costs associated with this effort. Understanding these costs is crucial for assessing the potential resource implications for state departments and the federal government. Additionally, while public comments are solicited, it is unclear how these comments will translate into actionable changes in the collection process.

The document includes references to technical regulations and operational procedures which may not be easily accessible to a general audience, possibly limiting broader public engagement. The complex nature of the described processes, such as those around the decision-making related to noise barriers, might benefit from simplification.

Public Impact

Broadly, the document suggests a collaborative effort between federal and state entities with the ultimate goal of minimizing highway noise influence on residential areas. The public's input is deemed important in this process, and this participation is encouraged to ensure diverse viewpoints and solutions are considered. However, the lack of clear pathways from public feedback to actual changes may discourage participation.

Stakeholder Impact

For specific stakeholders, such as the SDOTs, the document indicates a recurring commitment to providing extensive data on noise barriers. This might involve significant administrative work, which can vary widely between states based on their historical investment in noise barrier construction. On one hand, states that have heavily invested in noise barriers may view this as a positive effort to validate their investments and potentially guide future policies. On the other hand, the requirement to periodically report may present as an additional administrative task.

The information collected could serve to align federal and state priorities when it comes to transportation infrastructure investments, potentially leading to more efficient use of resources and better noise management strategies that ultimately benefit communities. However, the anticipated costs and administrative burden pose potential negative impacts on the stakeholders involved unless mitigated through process efficiencies or federal support.

In reviewing the Federal Register document regarding the Federal Highway Administration's request for comments on a new information collection about noise barrier inventories, some financial elements emerge that require attention and clarity for a broader understanding.

The document highlights a historical financial commitment made by various state departments of transportation (SDOTs) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico towards noise barrier construction. Through the end of 2010, it notes that 47 SDOTs and Puerto Rico have built over 2,748 linear miles of barriers with an expenditure exceeding $4.05 billion. Interestingly, this cost is equivalent to $5.44 billion** when adjusted to 2010 dollars, which sheds light on the inflationary impact over time on such infrastructure projects. This illustrates the significant financial investment made by these entities in addressing noise pollution from highways, a critical public concern.

Despite this detailed historical financial summary, the document lacks explicit details regarding the financial implications of the new information collection initiative. One of the issues identified in the document points out that the expected costs and resource burdens associated with the new data collection are not thoroughly specified. While the document provides some information about the estimated average burden per response, calculated at about 8 hours, leading to an estimated total annual burden of 139 hours, it does not offer insights into the financial cost linked to these hours or the overarching financial impact on the SDOTs and federal agency managing this activity.

Moreover, although the historical financial details offer insight into previous investments, there is a notable absence of information on the current or future projected costs related to the decision-making and data management processes described. This lack of fiscal transparency, coupled with the opportunity for public comments on these and other aspects, leaves room for stakeholders to express concerns or seek clarity on the economic impact of such data collection initiatives.

In summary, while the document provides a retrospective look at historical financial commitments to noise barrier construction, it could benefit from more explicit details on the current and projected financial burdens associated with the new information collection activities. Addressing these gaps could enhance understanding and allow for more informed public discourse and feedback.