[Federal Register: March 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 46)]
[Notices]
[Page 11705-11706]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10mr98-149]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Highway Administration
[DOT Docket No. FHWA-98-3402]
Notice of Request for Clearance of a New Information Collection
AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements in section 3506 (c) (2)
(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the
intention of the FHWA to request the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) to approve a new information collection to assess the utilization
of truck stop fitness facilities by those truck drivers who participate
in the study. This research will also address a number of other areas
of interest which generally pertain to the drivers' experience with the
new truck stop fitness facilities as well as personal health/fitness
issues. Exercise can help combat fatigue, improve alertness and reduce
stress. Aerobic exercise has also been shown to improve the quality of
sleep and thus, the driver will be more rested and alert for the next
day of driving. However, truck driving, particularly long haul truck
driving, is sedentary in nature and provides few opportunities for
exercise. The Truck Stop Fitness Facilities Utilization Study
represents an innovative, holistic approach to improve highway safety.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 11, 1998.
ADDRESSES: All signed, written comments should refer to the docket
number that appears in the heading of this document and must be
submitted to the Docket Clerk, U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001. All comments received
will be available for examination at the above address between 10 a.m.
to 5p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Those
desiring notification of receipt of comments must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard/envelope.
For Internet users, all comments received will be available for
examination at the universal source location: hhtp:/dms.dot.gov. Please
follow the instructions on-line for additional information and
guidance.
Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any
aspect of this information collection, including, but not limited to:
(1) The necessity and utility of the information collection for the
proper performance of the functions of the FHWA; (2) the accuracy of
the estimated burden, (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the collected information, and (4) ways to minimize the
collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected
information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be
summarized and/or included in the request for OMB clearance of this
information collection.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Jerry L. Robin, Transportation
Specialist, Research Division, Office of Motor Carrier Research and
Standards, Office of Motor Carriers, 202-366-2986, Federal Highway
Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office
hours are from 7:45 a.m. to 4:15 p.m., e.t., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title: Truck Stop Fitness Facilities Utilization Study.
OMB Number
Background
Conference Report 104-286 to accompanying H.R. 2002 to the
Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill (Public Law 104-50)
directed the FHWA to contract, during FY 1996, with the American
Trucking Associations Foundations', Transportation Research Institute
(TRI) to perform applied research to address a number of highway safety
issues, such as: driver fatigue and alertness, the application of
emerging technologies to ensure safety, productivity and regulatory
compliance; and commercial driver licensing, training and education.
The amount allocated was to be not less than $4 million. The Truck Stop
Fitness Facility Utilization Study is one of about 15 research,
regulatory, and outreach projects under the congressionally mandated
cooperative agreement with the TRI.
The study will involve about 500 volunteer male and female,
tractor-trailer drivers from a number of trucking companies and owner-
operators who use the I-40 corridor on a regular basis. All subjects
will be screened for potential health problems that would preclude them
from participating in an exercise program. Accepted volunteers will
receive a discounted, one-year membership in Rolling Strong Gyms for
participating in the Study. Rolling Strong Co. (Richardson, TX) is
providing the truck stop fitness facilities. The truck stop fitness
facilities to be used in the study are located at North Little Rock,
AR, Oklahoma City, OK, and Knoxville, TN (planned opening is March,
1998).
Truck stop fitness utilization information will be collected via an
automated telephone interview at the driver's 6 and 11 month marks in
the research project. The call will be toll-free for the drivers to
respond to the survey. A standardized questionnaire will ask the
drivers a number of questions pertaining to their frequency and
duration of use of the truck stop fitness facilities. Additional topic
areas to be explored include: what type of exercise equipment the truck
drivers prefer (aerobic or weight-resistance equipment), whether the
drivers generally feel better since beginning an exercise program, have
they made any other lifestyle changes, do they feel more alert/less
stressed when driving, are they getting other drivers to start an
exercise program, and how can truck stop fitness facilities be improved
to better meet the needs of the truck driver and the trucking industry.
The results of the information collections will be documented in a
report for dissemination to the trucking and truck stop industries as
well as other interested organizations and agencies including the
Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services (Center
for Disease Control) and the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. Note: Rolling Strong Co. is a private corporation. The
government does not endorse Rolling Strong Co. and did not fund the
design or construction of their fitness facilities. The FHWA is only
evaluating the concept of truck stop fitness.
Respondents: Approximately 500 tractor-trailer drivers.
Average Burden per Response: 30 minutes to listen and respond to a
survey questionnaire by telephone. There will be two such surveys per
participant during the year duration of the study.
[[Page 11706]]
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 500 hours.
Frequency: This is a one-time collection.
Authority: 23 U.S.C. 307 and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: March 2, 1998.
George Moore,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-6114 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-22-P
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