FR 2024-31362

The Federal Register document titled "Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Vehicle Information for the General Public" originates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), part of the Department of Transportation (DOT). It announces the agency's intent to gather public comments on the proposed revision of an approved information collection concerning vehicle safety features. The purpose of this collection is to enhance consumer access to safety information about various vehicle models, including new technologies related to crash avoidance and safety features. NHTSA plans to acquire this data annually from approximately 21 vehicle manufacturers in the United States, involving about 600 vehicle models.

General Summary and Issues

The document sets forth a plan to update and expand the existing information collection to keep pace with evolving vehicle safety technologies and requirements outlined by legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Central to this update is a significant increase in the estimated annual burden hours from 1,995 to 9,000 hours. This hike in hours raises questions about the expanded scope and efficiency of the data collection process.

Moreover, the anticipated costs associated with collecting and processing this information involve complex assumptions regarding labor categories and wage rates. These estimations could benefit from additional justification to ensure that they are both realistic and avoid potential wastefulness.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this information collection potentially enhances consumer awareness about vehicle safety through more accessible and detailed safety data. Consumers could make better-informed decisions when purchasing vehicles due to improved transparency about safety features, which could directly affect vehicle safety on the roads.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

The proposed revision primarily impacts vehicle manufacturers, tasked with supplying detailed information about their vehicle models. The increase in reporting hours and associated costs may place a higher administrative burden on these manufacturers. However, there is little discussion in the document regarding whether manufacturers will have opportunities to provide feedback on the process or to suggest streamlining methods to reduce this burden.

There's a notable absence of alternative approaches in the document, such as better data collection processes or automation that might lower the burden on respondents while maintaining or even enhancing data quality. Additionally, the use of technical language and references to legal statutes without explanatory context could limit understanding and engagement from both the public and manufacturers.

Overall Evaluation

While the proposal aims to significantly advance consumer safety information, the plan could benefit from clearer communication and detailed justifications for the increased burden hours and costs. Moreover, developing a feedback loop with manufacturers and exploring innovative data collection strategies could enhance stakeholder involvement and satisfaction, potentially leading to more effective implementation of these regulatory changes.

The document outlines the financial aspects related to a proposed revision in information collection for vehicle safety features by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The estimated adjustments in associated costs and labor hours provide insight into the financial commitments expected for the successful implementation of this initiative.

Summary of Financial References and Allocations

The proposed information collection revision estimates an increase in the total annual burden hours from 1,995 hours to 9,000 hours. This significant hike in burden hours results in an estimation of total annual labor costs amounting to $693,883. Breakdown of these costs is attributed to three primary tasks:

• Data entry accounts for 3,600 hours, which is associated with a financial outlay of approximately $243,704.
• Technical information validation demands 4,500 hours, translating into costs of about $350,910.
• Technical content approval is estimated at 900 hours, costing around $99,269.

The hourly rates cited for these tasks are linked to specific roles with respective pay scales: $47.59 per hour for business operations specialists, $54.82 per hour for mechanical engineers, and $77.54 per hour for general and operations managers. These figures derive from industry-specific occupational employment and wage estimates.

Relation to Identified Issues

One issue noted is the substantial increase in burden hours, expanding from 1,995 to 9,000 hours. This more than fourfold increase directly correlates with the estimated cost, highlighting the need for further clarification or justification. The document does not fully explain this shift, which might raise questions about potential inefficiencies or over-estimations.

Moreover, the method for calculating labor costs relies heavily on assumptions regarding the division of job functions and their associated hourly rates. This approach might lead to concerns about the possibility of inflated or wasteful estimates. The document would benefit from a more detailed explanation of these assumptions to ensure public confidence in the cost estimates presented.

Lastly, alternatives to reduce the financial and time burdens on respondents, such as enhanced electronic data collection or automation, are not discussed. Considering these could potentially optimize processes and reduce costs, this omission may suggest areas where procedural improvements could lessen financial burden without compromising data quality.

These financial elements underline the necessity for a transparent discussion on cost management and efficient data collection methodologies, encouraging a dialogue that addresses concerns around economic efficiency and efficacy of regulatory demands on manufacturers.