Overview
Title
Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Department of Defense wants to ask some people questions about how they travel to work at big places like the Pentagon. This will help them make better plans for roads and buses, and they want people to share their thoughts by the end of May 2025.
Summary AI
The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking comments on a new information collection effort, called the Pentagon Commuter Survey. The survey aims to gather data on commuting patterns of government employees and contractors to and from the Pentagon and Mark Center, ensuring compliance with national capital planning guidelines. The survey will have 1,000 respondents, with each spending about 3 minutes to complete it, and the comments are due by May 28, 2025. This information will help evaluate and improve transportation management plans in these areas.
Abstract
The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The recent notice from the Department of Defense (DoD) in the Federal Register announces a 30-day comment period concerning a new information collection proposal known as the Pentagon Commuter Survey. This initiative aims to collate information on commute patterns among federal employees and contractors traveling to and from the Pentagon and Mark Center. Such data is intended to assist in evaluating and aligning transportation management practices with the standards set by the national capital planning commission. The survey anticipates responses from 1,000 individuals, each expected to spend approximately 3 minutes completing it. Comments on this proposal are due by May 28, 2025.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One notable concern is the general lack of detailed information about the financial implications of this survey. The notice does not break down the costs involved, leaving room for speculation about whether this initiative could lead to unnecessary or wasteful spending. Greater transparency regarding any associated expenses would enable better public scrutiny and understanding.
The document outlines the purpose of data collection in broad terms, emphasizing its utility in improving transportation management plans. However, it would benefit from more specific examples or scenarios explaining how exactly this data might bring about improvements. Concrete details would enhance public understanding of the survey's practical implications.
Additionally, certain terms such as "Pentagon Commuter Survey" and "Mark Center" may not be immediately recognizable to all readers. Including brief explanations to contextualize these terms could make the document more accessible to individuals unfamiliar with these locations or their relevance.
Finally, though the survey is described as requiring only 3 minutes per respondent, additional context about the survey's length, structure, or the types of questions included may be helpful. This slight elaboration would ensure clarity and address any concerns potential respondents may have regarding their participation.
Public and Stakeholder Impact
For the general public, particularly those residing or working in the Washington D.C. area, this survey represents an opportunity to contribute to transportation planning processes that directly affect daily commuting experiences. By enhancing these processes, the survey outcomes could potentially reduce travel times and improve overall traffic management.
Specific stakeholders such as federal employees commuting to the Pentagon or contractors whose operations interfacing with the Pentagon and Mark Center may directly benefit from improvements in traffic ease and management plans grounded in real-world data. These improvements could translate into tangible gains in efficiency and convenience.
Conversely, for those concerned about privacy or the allocation of federal resources, the survey poses questions regarding the necessity and justification of such data collection efforts. Stakeholders might be wary of personal data handling or consider the time and resources better spent elsewhere unless clear justifications are provided.
In conclusion, while the Pentagon Commuter Survey appears structured to positively impact transportation management by leveraging actionable commuter data, clarity on both the process and costs involved, along with better contextual explanations, could enhance public engagement and understanding.
Issues
• The document does not provide specific information on the total cost associated with this information collection, which may be needed to assess potential wasteful spending.
• The intended use of collected data is broadly described but could benefit from more specific examples of how this data improves transportation management plans.
• The terminology used, such as 'Pentagon Commuter Survey' and 'Mark Center,' may not be immediately clear to those not already familiar with these locations or contexts. Including a brief context or description might help.
• The average burden per response is listed as 3 minutes, which may seem minimal, but additional clarification on what the survey entails (length, type of questions) could ensure clarity.
• The responsibility for submitting comments ('Written comments and recommendations...') might be clearer if rephrased to directly address the public's role and methodology for participation.