Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Federal Highway Administration wants to hear what people think about their plan to collect information to give out special money prizes called grants. These grants will help people like state and tribal road departments try out new ideas to make roads better, and they want to make sure the process is not too hard and fair for everyone.
Summary AI
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), part of the Department of Transportation, is seeking public comments on their plan to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new collection of information. This notice relates to the Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Grants for fiscal years 2023-2026, which are available to eligible entities like State Departments of Transportation and Tribal governments. The FHWA will collect information annually to help distribute these grants, and the public is encouraged to share thoughts on the necessity and burden of this data collection process. For submitting comments, the agency has provided several methods including online, fax, and mail.
Abstract
The FHWA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval for a new information collection, which is summarized below under Supplementary Information. We are required to publish this notice in the Federal Register by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a division of the Department of Transportation, has released a notice inviting public comments on their proposed collection of information for the Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Grants. These grants are intended for State Departments of Transportation, Federal Land Management Agencies, and Tribal governments to facilitate innovative transportation projects. This program aims to distribute up to $12.5 million annually from fiscal years 2023 to 2026. The information will be collected annually to manage the grant distribution, and public comments are sought regarding the necessity and potential burdens of this process.
Summary of Concerns
The document outlines crucial facets of the information collection process but raises several notable concerns. For instance, the criteria for awarding these competitive grants are not explicitly detailed, posing a risk of discretionary or biased fund distribution. The vague reference to "entities eligible" may further complicate understanding and deter potential applicants unsure of their eligibility. Additionally, the high estimated burden of 21 hours required for respondents to complete the application process may signal a tedious procedure. This could discourage entities that might otherwise benefit from the grant.
Potential Impact on the Public
For the general public, the implementation of this program could lead to enhanced transportation infrastructure and innovation, potentially resulting in improved roadway safety and efficiency. However, the complexity and time intensity of the application process might limit the number of proposals received, thus potentially reducing the program’s impact. Simplifying applications could encourage more entities to apply, ultimately leading to a broader range of innovative transportation projects.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
State Departments of Transportation and Tribal governments, among other eligible agencies, stand to benefit significantly from these grants. The financial resources could empower these entities to explore and implement new, efficient technologies in their transportation projects. However, the convoluted and burdensome application process might disproportionately affect smaller agencies with limited resources. Streamlining this procedure could alleviate some of these challenges, enabling broader participation.
The notice also involves technical language and references to regulatory documents that might be intimidating or confusing for those unfamiliar with the legal context. Additional guidance or explanation may be necessary to ensure clarity and accessibility for all potential applicants. By addressing these concerns, the FHWA could enhance the program's effectiveness and ensure that it benefits a wide range of stakeholders.
Financial Assessment
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has outlined its plans in a notice for the Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration grants, covering fiscal years 2023 to 2026. In the information provided, up to $10 million is allocated for fiscal year 2023, and up to $12.5 million is designated for each subsequent fiscal year. These funds are intended to support highway transportation projects that align with the goals of the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program.
The financial arrangement of these grants is noteworthy due to the substantial allocation of funds across multiple years, indicating a sustained commitment to infrastructure innovation and deployment. However, an identified issue relates to the criteria for awarding these competitive grants. The document does not provide a specific framework for determining how funds will be distributed amongst eligible applicants. This lack of clarity could potentially result in discretionary or biased decision-making, thereby impacting fair access to these funds.
Further complicating matters, the term "entities eligible" is used to describe potential applicants but is not clearly defined. This vagueness might lead to confusion about which entities can apply, potentially limiting access to the allocated funds or leading to misinterpretations regarding eligibility for these substantial grants.
Additionally, with an estimated 21 hours per respondent and recipient required to address application and program management requirements, totaling approximately 2,340 burden hours per year, there is concern that these high estimated burden hours reflect a cumbersome application process. This could discourage smaller entities from applying, thereby limiting diverse competition for the grant funds.
Overall, while the financial allocations reflect a positive investment in highway innovation, several elements within the grant process, such as eligibility criteria and application burdens, may inhibit the effective and equitable distribution of funds.
Issues
• The document does not specify clear criteria for how the competitive grants will be awarded, which could lead to discretionary or biased distribution of funds.
• The term 'entities eligible' is somewhat vague and could benefit from more explicit definitions or examples to ensure clarity about who is eligible to apply.
• The estimated burden hours calculation seems high (21 hours per respondent and recipient), which could deter potential applicants. It may reflect a cumbersome application process that could be streamlined.
• The document includes some technical language that may not be easily understood by all stakeholders, such as 'Technology and Innovation Deployment Program goals' without providing detailed explanations or definitions.
• The reference to regulations and authoritative documents (e.g., 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, 49 CFR 1.48) may be complex for those unfamiliar with legal language, potentially requiring additional clarification or guidance.