Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government wants to ask people for information about cool and smart ways to make roads better. They need people to say if it's okay to ask these questions and how hard it might be for them to answer.
Summary AI
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced a plan to collect information in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This information collection will be reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and focuses on the Excellence in Right-of-Way Awards Program, which acknowledges innovative practices in highway improvement projects. Comments from the public are invited on the necessity and burden of the proposed information collection, which involves up to 50 applications biennially, with each applicant expected to spend around six hours on their submission. The deadline for comments is March 3, 2021.
Abstract
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, this notice announces that FHWA will submit the collection of information described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on November 25, 2020. The PRA submission describes the nature of the information collection and its expected cost and burden.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
Summary of Document
The document details a notice from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regarding a new initiative under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The initiative pertains to the collection of information for the FHWA Excellence in Right-of-Way Awards Program. Through this program, the FHWA seeks to honor exceptional achievements and innovative practices in the sphere of highway improvement projects. Interested parties have until March 3, 2021, to submit their comments on the proposed information collection, which entails respondents, mainly those using Federal Highway funding sources, submitting applications that require an estimated six hours of effort per submission.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One significant issue with the document is its reliance on technical terms that may not be universally understood. Expressions like "Paperwork Reduction Act" and "Right-of-Way Awards Program" might be unclear without proper context or explanation.
Additionally, the estimated burden of 600 annual hours for the application process could raise questions about its necessity relative to the actual benefits, especially given the absence of a clear explanation for this substantial time commitment.
Furthermore, while the document mentions an independent panel of judges, it does not detail their selection process or qualifications. This lack of transparency might lead to concerns about the fairness and objectivity of the award selection process. Moreover, lacking specification and guidelines for what counts as an "outstanding contribution," there could be ambiguity in the nomination and evaluation processes.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document highlights the importance placed by federal agencies on recognizing and fostering innovation in infrastructure projects. However, without clear communication and understanding, the public might find it challenging to engage meaningfully with the proposed program.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Stakeholders directly involved, such as state transportation departments or construction firms using federal funds, might view this as a positive opportunity to gain recognition and validation for their innovative practices. However, the considerable time and resources required to submit an application could pose a deterrent, especially for smaller institutions with limited staff.
This notice could also positively impact professionals in the right-of-way field by showcasing successful practices and offering opportunities for professional growth and recognition. Yet, without precise definitions of excellence and criteria for contribution, some valuable contributions might be overlooked, potentially discouraging stakeholders from participating.
In conclusion, while the initiative aims to cultivate excellence and innovation within highway improvement projects, the document lacks enough detail to ensure clear understanding and engagement from both the broader public and specialized stakeholders. Enhanced transparency and clarity would be beneficial in addressing these areas of concern.
Issues
• The document uses technical terms related to the Paperwork Reduction Act and the FHWA Excellence in Right-of-Way Awards Program, which might be unclear to the general public without further explanation.
• The estimated burden of 600 annual hours for the application process might be considered significant, and it may not be clear to all readers why such an amount of time is necessary.
• The language regarding the 'independent panel of judges from varying backgrounds' is vague and does not specify how these judges are selected or what their qualifications are.
• There is a lack of detailed information regarding how the collected information will specifically enhance the public's knowledge on addressing right-of-way challenges on transportation projects.
• The document does not mention any specific criteria or guidelines for what constitutes an 'outstanding contribution to transportation and the Right-of-Way field', which could make the nomination process ambiguous.