Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Request for Comment; Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for Improving Driver Response, 15294-15298 [2025-06077]

Download as PDF 15294 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / Notices and all other CMV drivers to use a 5/5 sleeper berth split. The Agency denied the exemption because the applicant failed to explain how he would likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to the current regulatory requirements. Unlike Matthew Kilmer’s application for exemption, MFT provided a list of safety protocols. As noted above, MFT has operated for 10 years under the exemption without adverse safety impacts. The Agency reviewed MFT’s application, comments to the docket, and the company’s safety record including crashes and inspection data from April 2020 to December 2024. Since 2015 when the exemption was first granted, this exemption has not had an adverse effect on MFT’s safety record. FMCSA therefore concludes that renewing the exemption for another five years, under the terms and conditions listed below, will likely maintain a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level of safety achieved without the exemption. VI. Exemption Decision A. Grant of Renewal of Exemption This exemption from the requirements of 49 CFR 395.1(g)(1)(ii)(B) is effective from April 20, 2025, through April 20, 2030, 11:59 p.m. local time. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 B. Applicability of Exemption This exemption applies to MFT team drivers only. When operating under this exemption, team drivers employed by MFT are provided a limited exemption from the sleeper-berth requirements of 49 CFR 395.1(g)(1)(ii)(B) to allow them to split sleeper-berth time into two periods totaling at least 10 hours, provided neither of the two periods is less than 2 hours in length (an 8/2, 7/ 3, 6/4, or 5/5 split). All other provisions of 49 CFR part 395 continue to apply, including the calculation provisions in 49 CFR 395.1(g)(1)(iii). The guidance document dated September 21, 2015, which was posted to the docket with Document ID FMCSA–2014–0071–0042, no longer applies because it was based on the 2015 HOS regulations that are no longer in effect. C. Terms and Conditions (1) Each week, all MFT transportation operations will shut down between one hour prior to sundown on Friday and one hour after sundown on Saturday, allowing drivers using the exemption a minimum 26 hours off-duty period, in addition to a minimum of two days at home during the week. (2) All tractors will be equipped with speed limiters, which must be used by drivers operating under the exemption. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Apr 08, 2025 Jkt 265001 (3) Drivers are limited to 10 hours of driving time, rather than 11 hours, during the work shift specified in 49 CFR 395.3(a)(1). (4) MFT will monitor behavior-based event data from the ELD to enhance safety measures to reduce the probability of crashes. (5) MFT and its drivers must comply with all other requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR parts 350–399). (6) MFT drivers must have a copy of this notice in their possession while operating under the terms of the exemption. This notice serves as the exemption document and must be presented to law enforcement officials upon request. (7) MFT may be investigated to evaluate compliance with the terms and conditions of this exemption, in addition to the FMCSRs. D. Preemption In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR 381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall enforce any law or regulation that conflicts with or is inconsistent with this exemption with respect to a firm or person operating under the exemption. States may, but are not required to, adopt the same exemption with respect to operations in intrastate commerce. E. Notification to FMCSA MFT must notify FMCSA within 5 business days of any accidents (as defined by 49 CFR 390.5), involving the operation of any of its CMVs while utilizing this exemption. The notification must include the following information: (a) Name of the exemption: ‘‘MFT’’ (b) Date of the accident (c) City or town, and State, in which the accident occurred, or closest to the accident scene (d) Driver’s name and license number (e) Vehicle number and State license number (f) Number of individuals suffering physical injury (g) Number of fatalities (h) The police-reported cause of the accident (i) Whether the driver was cited for violation of any traffic laws, motor carrier safety regulations (j) A printout of the driver’s ELD records for the date of the crash and the prior seven days. Reports filed under this provision shall be emailed to MCPSD@DOT.GOV. F. Termination FMCSA does not believe MFT, or the drivers covered by this exemption, will PO 00000 Frm 00076 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 experience any deterioration of their safety record. The exemption will be rescinded if: (1) MFT or drivers operating under the exemption fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has resulted in a lower level of safety than was maintained before it was granted; or (3) continuation of the exemption would not be consistent with the goals and objects of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b). Sue Lawless, Assistant Administrator. [FR Doc. 2025–06060 Filed 4–8–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–EX–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA- 2024–0052] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Request for Comment; Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for Improving Driver Response National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a new information collection. AGENCY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below will be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This document describes a new collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval titled ‘‘Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for Improving Driver Response.’’ A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on this information collection was published on September 3, 2024. One comment was received in response, recommending the collection of an additional data point. NHTSA agrees with the comment and has incorporated the change in the respective form. DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 9, 2025. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / Notices Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection, including suggestions for reducing burden, should be submitted to OMB at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. To find this particular information collection, select ‘‘Currently under Review—Open for Public Comment’’ or use the search function. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access to background documents, contact Jeremiah Singer, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590; email jeremiah.singer@dot.gov; telephone (202) 366–7679. Please identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB Control Number. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), a Federal agency must receive approval from the OMB before it collects certain information from the public, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency unless the collection displays a valid OMB control number. In compliance with these requirements, this notice announces that the following information collection request will be submitted to OMB. Title: Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for Improving Driver Response. OMB Control Number: New. Form Numbers: NHTSA Form 1840— Recruitment Screener; NHTSA Form 1841—Informed Consent; NHTSA Form 1842—Vision-Hearing Form; NHTSA Form 1843—Knowledge Experience Questionnaire; NHTSA Form 1844— Session 1 Post-Condition Questionnaire; NHTSA Form 1845—Session 1 PostSession Questionnaire; NHTSA Form 1846—Session 2 Post-Route Questionnaire LDW; NHTSA Form 1847—Session 2 Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA. Type of Request: New information collection. Type of Review Requested: Regular. Length of Approval Requested: 3 years from date of approval. Summary of the Collection of Information: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking approval to conduct 11 voluntary information collections as part of a one-time research study involving up to 80 licensed drivers of various ages to examine the effectiveness of LDW and LKA ADAS for improving driver response. Recruitment of study respondents will be from the area near the testing facility ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Apr 08, 2025 Jkt 265001 in Blacksburg, Virginia, and surrounding areas. The target for the study is a total of 50 participants; however, the research team has provided sufficient additional recruitment such that the target sample will be achieved given expected reductions in respondents due to ineligibility and attrition. The respondents will participate in two separate driving data collection sessions during the course of the research after undergoing a series of evaluations for suitability of inclusion in the study. Respondents will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire related to their previous knowledge of, and experience with, LDW systems and LKA systems. Respondents will next perform a series of controlled driving tests on the Virginia Smart Roads facilities with one of the test vehicles that has been instrumented with a Data Acquisition System (DAS). The DAS includes video cameras and sensors that allow for collecting continuous data that encompasses driver behavior and vehicle performance. Each series of controlled driving tests on the Smart Roads will last about 2 hours and will be preceded by a 15-minute familiarization with the vehicle, followed by a 30-minute post-driving questionnaire and debriefing session. The drivers who complete the first session will return a different day for a second driving session in which they will be instructed to drive a prescribed route on public roads in Southwest Virginia. This second driving session will last approximately 4 hours, with a 15-minute break in the middle of the session; this will be preceded by a 45minute preparation and followed by a 30-minute post-driving questionnaire and debriefing. The planned data collection activities discussed herein have been approved by an Institutional Review Board. Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the Information: As part of NHTSA’s mission to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care and other economic costs, the agency conducts research as a foundation for the development of motor vehicle standards and traffic safety programs. Lane departure crashes, including single-vehicle run-off-road crashes, noncollision rollovers, sideswipe crashes, and head-on crashes between two vehicles traveling in opposite directions, account for a large proportion of fatal and injury crashes on U.S. roads. LSS, a type of lateral-control ADAS, predominantly comprise two complementary technologies: LDW and LKA systems. LDW detects and alerts PO 00000 Frm 00077 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 15295 drivers when their vehicle is about to leave the current travel lane, whereas LKA redirects the lateral movement of the vehicle to prevent it from leaving the current travel lane. Numerous studies have found that LSS reduce the likelihood of a crash. Based on the comparison of multiple prevention systems and warning-only systems, studies have suggested that prevention systems are more effective than warning-only systems. Crash situations typically unfold quickly; thus, a driver’s response to the warning may be too late to prevent a crash, particularly when the driver is distracted, drowsy, or fails to notice the warning quickly. While studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of LSS at reducing the intended crash types and the potential of LSS to save countless lives with widespread use, these systems are unfortunately associated with a ‘‘nuisance’’ factor resulting from false or unnecessary alerts. This leads to system deactivation, with indications that drivers turn LDW systems off as much as 50 percent of the time due to annoying alerts and overly aggressive steering corrections. Once deactivated, all potential safety benefits of LSS are lost, highlighting the importance of reducing false or unnecessary alerts to maximize driver acceptance and the likelihood that the system remains enabled. LSS, if properly designed, evaluated, and used, have the potential to reduce the occurrence of, or at the very least mitigate the severity of, a significant number of lane-departure crashes. NHTSA needs to learn more about the effectiveness of LSS, the human factors that affect LDW and LKA performance, and the system characteristics that will favor better acceptance. This data collection has been designed to evaluate key LSSrelated technologies, with a particular focus on driver and system performance, as well as driver acceptance. The outcomes will provide a wide variety of stakeholders with valuable information about LSS design features to maximize the safety benefits of these systems and will inform NHTSA in future activities involving these systems. NHTSA will use the information collected to produce a technical report containing summary statistics and tables that will be made available publicly through the agency website and the National Transportation Library. 60-Day Notice: A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting public comments on the following information collection was published on September 3, 2024 (89 FR 71777). NHTSA received one public E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 15296 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / Notices comment from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The commenter began with, ‘‘TxDOT agrees with NHTSA’s conclusion that more research is required to understand the effectiveness of lane support systems, the human factors affecting LDW and LKA technologies, and the features in these systems that lead to increased acceptance and adoption. TxDOT requested that NHTSA ‘‘consider asking participants if they received any specialized training, at the time of a new vehicle’s purchase, on the use and operations of LDW and LKA systems. TxDOT stated its belief that this information will provide a more comprehensive view of the efficacy of these technologies. NHTSA concurs with this comment and has added a question to NHTSA Form 1843— Knowledge Experience Questionnaire to that effect. While this question has been added to the collection, NHTSA does not anticipate a notable increase in the length of time to complete NHTSA Form 1843 and, therefore, there are no changes in burden from that which was published in the 60-day notice. Affected Public: Respondents to this collection will be members of the public recruited from Blacksburg, Virginia, and surrounding areas. Effort will be made to recruit equal numbers of adult males and females, including participants aged 25 to 65 with different levels of experience owning or driving a vehicle with LSS. A representative sample is not necessary to satisfy the objectives of the study; therefore, a convenience sample of individuals meeting eligibility criteria will be sufficient. Estimated Number of Respondents: The target for the study is for 50 participants total to complete both sessions with valid data collected for each. However, eligibility and attrition must be accounted for throughout the individual information collections included in this request. As previously stated, there are 11 individual information collections in this request. The number of respondents annually for each collection is as follows: Recruitment Screener—113; Informed Consent—28; Vision-Hearing Form—27; Knowledge Experience Questionnaire— 27; Session 1: Controlled Driving—27; Session 1: Post-Condition Questionnaire—27; Session 1: PostSession Questionnaire—27; Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW Subset—16; Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW—16; Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW/LKA Subset—11; Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/ LKA—11. Frequency: This is a one-time information collection. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Apr 08, 2025 Jkt 265001 Estimated Number of Responses: 654. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: The estimated annual burden for this onetime information collection is 272 annual burden hours (based on a 3-year approval period). Further details are provided below. This ICR includes 11 individual information collections described below. 1. Recruitment Screener An estimated 113 respondents annually will answer a Recruitment Screener over the phone to determine if they qualify for the study. Participants will be screened over the phone to determine eligibility, with recruitment personnel recording responses on a paper form using an anonymized identifier. Respondents are expected to take an average of 15 minutes to complete the questionnaire and will complete this questionnaire once, resulting in 28 annual burden hours. 2. Informed Consent Based on an estimate that 25 percent of those who begin the screening process will be eligible and interested in participating in the study, 28 respondents annually will be scheduled for an appointment to go to the contractor’s facilities in Blacksburg, Virginia, for the consenting process and, subsequently, the full study. The consenting process includes an overview of the study, an explanation of the consent form, and an opportunity for the potential participants to ask questions and get clarification. Those individuals who consent to the study and enroll will complete the Informed Consent form and move on to the next process. This consenting process is expected to take 30 minutes, resulting in 14 annual burden hours. 3. Vision-Hearing Form NHTSA anticipates a minimal amount of attrition following the consenting process; thus 27 respondents annually are expected to complete the VisionHearing Form. This collection involves an experimenter administering a vision and hearing evaluation to ensure that respondents meet the basic vision requirements of driver’s licensure in Virginia (20/40) and to confirm that they can hear instructions provided by the experimenter when looking away. This evaluation is expected to take 5 minutes, resulting in 2 annual burden hours. 4. Knowledge Experience Questionnaire Following the vision and hearing evaluation, the 27 annual respondents will be asked to complete a 10-minute Knowledge Experience Questionnaire PO 00000 Frm 00078 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 related to their previous knowledge of and experience with the systems under evaluation. Completion of this form will take 10 minutes per respondent and is to be completed once, resulting in 5 annual burden hours. 5. Session 1: Controlled Driving To assess preferences regarding LDW modality and timing under dynamic scenarios, study participants will experience a series of controlled driving tests with the LDW mockup vehicle on the Smart Roads test track at the contractor’s facility. Each participant will drive continuously on closed loops while experiencing modality and timing conditions (independent and in combination, where applicable) incorporated in the LDW mockup vehicle, while data are collected by the DAS. No other traffic will be present on the part of the Smart Roads in use during participant sessions. After the participant performs a few loops to become familiar with the vehicle and the test track without instructions to depart the lane, they will be instructed to gradually deviate towards one of the lines until the departure warnings are triggered. Drivers will then be instructed to carefully perform a corrective maneuver back to the center of the lane after the warning. Not including the questionnaire elements referenced below, this driving session is expected to take 100 minutes, including vehicle familiarization, drive time, and breaks. For 27 respondents annually, this results in 45 annual burden hours. 6. Session 1: Post-Condition Questionnaire During the behind-the-wheel session, drivers will verbally answer questions administered by the experimenter. This ‘‘post-condition’’ questionnaire, with an estimated completion time of 5 minutes, will be administered up to 12 times for a total time of 60 minutes per participant. Note that this allotted time is in addition to the actual driving time. Administered to 27 respondents annually, this results in a total of 27 annual burden hours. 7. Session 1: Post-Session Questionnaire Following completion of the full driving session, respondents will be asked to complete a final post-drive questionnaire, capturing feedback pertaining to all conditions experienced. The estimated completion time is 5 minutes. Administered to 27 respondents annually, this results in 2 annual burden hours. At the conclusion of this first driving session and questionnaires, participants will receive E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 15297 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / Notices instruction to return on another day for the second session. To assess driver response to naturally occurring LDW and LKA actuations, two independent driving data collection efforts will be conducted on public roads in Southwest Virginia (the community surrounding the VTTI facility). The drivers who have completed the controlled driving sessions will return to the contractor’s facilities for a second session, during which they will be assigned to one of two groups (16 respondents in the first group and 11 respondents in the second group) and asked to individually drive a prescribed route using one of the test vehicles, experiencing different modality, activation timing, and variation of LDW, LKA, and LDW/LKA conditions while driving as they normally would. The respondents will not need to repeat the consent form, evaluations, or instructional processing prior to this semi-naturalistic driving session. 8. Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW Subset Each respondent in the first group, 16 respondents annually, will drive a prescribed route using the LDW mockup vehicle. Each driving session will be part of a sub-study that aims to clarify the effects of the two independent LDW design variables (modality and activation timing) on driver performance safety indicators (e.g., frequency of lateral excursions and unintended departure events, and the magnitudes of these events). At the halfway point, a member of the research team will switch the modality/timing combination. A remote experimenter tool will allow the experimenter to monitor the session and allow interfacing with the DAS. The total driving session duration for each participant will be approximately 4 hours. With orientation to the research vehicle and prescribed route, along with a 15-minute break at the halfway point, the total estimated time to complete this driving session is approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. For 16 respondents annually, this equates to 83 annual burden hours. 9. Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW At the halfway point, when the respondents take their 15-minute break, they will also complete the ‘‘post-route’’ questionnaire. This is estimated to take 10 minutes but is distinct from their break time. They will complete this same questionnaire after completing their second half of the drive. For 16 respondents annually, this equates to 5 annual burden hours. 10. Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW/LKA Subset Each participant from the second group, 11 respondents annually, will complete the same prescribed drive but will use the LDW/LKA factory vehicle rather than the LDW mockup vehicle. This experiment will address objective 11. Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA At the halfway point when respondents take their 15-minute break, they will also complete the ‘‘post-route’’ questionnaire. This is estimated to take 10 minutes but is distinct from their break time. They will complete this same questionnaire a second time after completing their second half of the drive. For 11 respondents annually, this equates to 4 annual burden hours. The 11 information collections described above are summarized in the following table, showing the number of annual respondents, frequency of response, time per response, and associated burden. Number of respondents Information collection ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 driver performance and subjective qualitative preferences under four system activation modes (none, LDW only, LKA only, and LDW with LKA). At the halfway point, a member of the research team will switch the modality/ timing combination. A remote experimenter tool will allow the experimenter to monitor the session and allow interfacing with the DAS. The total driving session duration for each participant will be approximately 4 hours. Including orientation to the research vehicle and prescribed route, along with a 15-minute break at the halfway point, the total estimated time to complete this driving session is approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. For 11 respondents annually, this equates to 57 annual burden hours. Frequency of response Time per response (minutes) Burden hours Recruitment Screener ........................................................................................................ Informed Consent .............................................................................................................. Vision-Hearing Form .......................................................................................................... Knowledge Experience Questionnaire .............................................................................. Session 1: Controlled Driving ............................................................................................ Session 1: Post-Condition Questionnaire .......................................................................... Session 1: Post-Session Questionnaire ............................................................................ Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW Subset .................................................................... Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW ...................................................................... Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW/LKA Subset ............................................................ Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA .............................................................. 113 28 27 27 27 27 27 16 16 11 11 1 1 1 1 1 12 1 1 2 1 2 15 30 5 10 100 5 5 310 10 310 10 28 14 2 5 45 27 2 83 5 57 4 Total ............................................................................................................................ ...................... ........................ .................. 272 Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $0. The respondents will not incur any reporting or recordkeeping cost from the information collection. Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Apr 08, 2025 Jkt 265001 performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the PO 00000 Frm 00079 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 35, as E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1 15298 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 67 / Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / Notices amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A. Cem Hatipoglu, Associate Administrator, Office of Vehicle Safety Research. [FR Doc. 2025–06077 Filed 4–8–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION Notice of Open Public Hearing U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. ACTION: Notice of open public hearing. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given of the following hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. The Commission is mandated by Congress to investigate, assess, and report to Congress annually on ‘‘the national security implications of the economic relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China.’’ Pursuant to this mandate, the Commission will hold a public hearing in Washington, DC on April 24, 2025 on ‘‘China’s Domestic Energy Challenges and Its Growing Influence Over International Energy Markets.’’ DATES: The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. ADDRESSES: Members of the public will be able to attend in person at or near the U.S. Capitol and adjacent Congressional office buildings (specific building and room number to be announced) or view a live webcast via the Commission’s website at www.uscc.gov. Visit the Commission’s website for updates to the hearing location or possible changes to the hearing schedule. Reservations are not required to view the hearing online or in person. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any member of the public seeking further information concerning the hearing should contact Jameson Cunningham, 444 North Capitol Street NW, Suite 602, Washington, DC 20001; telephone: 202– 624–1496, or via email at jcunningham@ uscc.gov. Reservations are not required to attend the hearing. ADA Accessibility: For questions about the accessibility of the event or to request an accommodation, please contact Jameson Cunningham via email at jcunningham@uscc.gov. Requests for an accommodation should be made as soon as possible, and at least five business days prior to the event. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background: This is the fifth public hearing the Commission will hold during its 2025 reporting cycle. The ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 Apr 08, 2025 Jkt 265001 hearing will explore China’s strategies to achieve greater energy self-sufficiency and expand energy production amid rising domestic demand. The hearing will also examine overseas investment in energy infrastructure by Chinese entities and resulting cybersecurity and supply chain risks to host nations. Lastly, the hearing will address China’s role in supply chains of critical minerals needed in the energy sector, including dominance of refining and evolving use of export controls on critical minerals. The hearing will be co-chaired by Commissioner Carte Goodwin and Commissioner Hal Brands. Any interested party may file a written statement by April 24, 2025 by transmitting it to the contact above. A portion of the hearing will include a question and answer period between the Commissioners and the witnesses. Authority: Congress created the U.S.China Economic and Security Review Commission in 2000 in the National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 106– 398), as amended by Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003 (Pub. L. 108–7), as amended by Public Law 109–108 (November 22, 2005), as amended by Public Law 113–291 (December 19, 2014). Dated: April 4, 2025. Christopher P. Fioravante, Deputy Executive Director, U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. [FR Doc. 2025–06105 Filed 4–8–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1137–00–P DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS [OMB Control No. 2900–0865] Agency Information Collection Activity: Certification Requirements for Funeral Honors Providers National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00080 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Comments must be received on or before June 9, 2025. ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Program-Specific information: Brian Hurley, 202–957–2093, Brian.Hurley1@ va.gov. VA PRA information: Dorothy Glasgow, 202–461–1084, VAPRA@ va.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA. With respect to the following collection of information, NCA invites comments on: (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of NCA’s functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of NCA’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology. Title: Certification Requirements for Funeral Honors Providers. OMB Control Number: 2900–0865. https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ PRASearch (Once at this link, you can enter the OMB Control Number to find the historical versions of this Information Collection). Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Abstract: This information (VA Form 40–10190) is needed to ensure that funeral honors activities performed on VA property maintain the honor and dignity of the national cemetery and do not negatively impact the safety of cemetery visitors. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The burden decreased since the previous approval due to a decrease in the number of respondents and responses. The number of respondents declined to 303 from the previous approval of 380 respondents in 2022. Due to fewer respondents, the cost to respondents declined from $887 in 2022 to an estimated $792 resulting in $95 in respondent cost savings. The cost to the DATES: E:\FR\FM\09APN1.SGM 09APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 9, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15294-15298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06077]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA- 2024-0052]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Request for 
Comment; Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and Lane 
Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for Improving Driver 
Response

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments on a new information 
collection.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) 
summarized below will be submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and approval. This document describes a new 
collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval 
titled ``Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and Lane 
Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) for Improving 
Driver Response.'' A Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment 
period soliciting comments on this information collection was published 
on September 3, 2024. One comment was received in response, 
recommending the collection of an additional data point. NHTSA agrees 
with the comment and has incorporated the change in the respective 
form.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before May 9, 2025.

[[Page 15295]]


ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection, including suggestions for reducing burden, 
should be submitted to OMB at www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. To 
find this particular information collection, select ``Currently under 
Review--Open for Public Comment'' or use the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access 
to background documents, contact Jeremiah Singer, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 
20590; email [email protected]; telephone (202) 366-7679. Please 
identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB 
Control Number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), a 
Federal agency must receive approval from the OMB before it collects 
certain information from the public, and a person is not required to 
respond to a collection of information by a Federal agency unless the 
collection displays a valid OMB control number. In compliance with 
these requirements, this notice announces that the following 
information collection request will be submitted to OMB.
    Title: Examining the Effectiveness of Lane Departure Warning and 
Lane Keep Assist Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for Improving 
Driver Response.
    OMB Control Number: New.
    Form Numbers: NHTSA Form 1840--Recruitment Screener; NHTSA Form 
1841--Informed Consent; NHTSA Form 1842--Vision-Hearing Form; NHTSA 
Form 1843--Knowledge Experience Questionnaire; NHTSA Form 1844--Session 
1 Post-Condition Questionnaire; NHTSA Form 1845--Session 1 Post-Session 
Questionnaire; NHTSA Form 1846--Session 2 Post-Route Questionnaire LDW; 
NHTSA Form 1847--Session 2 Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Type of Review Requested: Regular.
    Length of Approval Requested: 3 years from date of approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: The National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking approval to conduct 11 
voluntary information collections as part of a one-time research study 
involving up to 80 licensed drivers of various ages to examine the 
effectiveness of LDW and LKA ADAS for improving driver response.
    Recruitment of study respondents will be from the area near the 
testing facility in Blacksburg, Virginia, and surrounding areas. The 
target for the study is a total of 50 participants; however, the 
research team has provided sufficient additional recruitment such that 
the target sample will be achieved given expected reductions in 
respondents due to ineligibility and attrition. The respondents will 
participate in two separate driving data collection sessions during the 
course of the research after undergoing a series of evaluations for 
suitability of inclusion in the study.
    Respondents will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire related 
to their previous knowledge of, and experience with, LDW systems and 
LKA systems. Respondents will next perform a series of controlled 
driving tests on the Virginia Smart Roads facilities with one of the 
test vehicles that has been instrumented with a Data Acquisition System 
(DAS). The DAS includes video cameras and sensors that allow for 
collecting continuous data that encompasses driver behavior and vehicle 
performance. Each series of controlled driving tests on the Smart Roads 
will last about 2 hours and will be preceded by a 15-minute 
familiarization with the vehicle, followed by a 30-minute post-driving 
questionnaire and debriefing session. The drivers who complete the 
first session will return a different day for a second driving session 
in which they will be instructed to drive a prescribed route on public 
roads in Southwest Virginia. This second driving session will last 
approximately 4 hours, with a 15-minute break in the middle of the 
session; this will be preceded by a 45-minute preparation and followed 
by a 30-minute post-driving questionnaire and debriefing. The planned 
data collection activities discussed herein have been approved by an 
Institutional Review Board.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information: As part of NHTSA's mission to save lives, prevent 
injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care and other economic 
costs, the agency conducts research as a foundation for the development 
of motor vehicle standards and traffic safety programs. Lane departure 
crashes, including single-vehicle run-off-road crashes, non-collision 
rollovers, sideswipe crashes, and head-on crashes between two vehicles 
traveling in opposite directions, account for a large proportion of 
fatal and injury crashes on U.S. roads. LSS, a type of lateral-control 
ADAS, predominantly comprise two complementary technologies: LDW and 
LKA systems. LDW detects and alerts drivers when their vehicle is about 
to leave the current travel lane, whereas LKA redirects the lateral 
movement of the vehicle to prevent it from leaving the current travel 
lane.
    Numerous studies have found that LSS reduce the likelihood of a 
crash. Based on the comparison of multiple prevention systems and 
warning-only systems, studies have suggested that prevention systems 
are more effective than warning-only systems. Crash situations 
typically unfold quickly; thus, a driver's response to the warning may 
be too late to prevent a crash, particularly when the driver is 
distracted, drowsy, or fails to notice the warning quickly. While 
studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of LSS at reducing the 
intended crash types and the potential of LSS to save countless lives 
with widespread use, these systems are unfortunately associated with a 
``nuisance'' factor resulting from false or unnecessary alerts. This 
leads to system deactivation, with indications that drivers turn LDW 
systems off as much as 50 percent of the time due to annoying alerts 
and overly aggressive steering corrections. Once deactivated, all 
potential safety benefits of LSS are lost, highlighting the importance 
of reducing false or unnecessary alerts to maximize driver acceptance 
and the likelihood that the system remains enabled. LSS, if properly 
designed, evaluated, and used, have the potential to reduce the 
occurrence of, or at the very least mitigate the severity of, a 
significant number of lane-departure crashes. NHTSA needs to learn more 
about the effectiveness of LSS, the human factors that affect LDW and 
LKA performance, and the system characteristics that will favor better 
acceptance. This data collection has been designed to evaluate key LSS-
related technologies, with a particular focus on driver and system 
performance, as well as driver acceptance. The outcomes will provide a 
wide variety of stakeholders with valuable information about LSS design 
features to maximize the safety benefits of these systems and will 
inform NHTSA in future activities involving these systems.
    NHTSA will use the information collected to produce a technical 
report containing summary statistics and tables that will be made 
available publicly through the agency website and the National 
Transportation Library.
    60-Day Notice: A Federal Register notice with a 60-day comment 
period soliciting public comments on the following information 
collection was published on September 3, 2024 (89 FR 71777). NHTSA 
received one public

[[Page 15296]]

comment from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The 
commenter began with, ``TxDOT agrees with NHTSA's conclusion that more 
research is required to understand the effectiveness of lane support 
systems, the human factors affecting LDW and LKA technologies, and the 
features in these systems that lead to increased acceptance and 
adoption. TxDOT requested that NHTSA ``consider asking participants if 
they received any specialized training, at the time of a new vehicle's 
purchase, on the use and operations of LDW and LKA systems. TxDOT 
stated its belief that this information will provide a more 
comprehensive view of the efficacy of these technologies. NHTSA concurs 
with this comment and has added a question to NHTSA Form 1843--
Knowledge Experience Questionnaire to that effect. While this question 
has been added to the collection, NHTSA does not anticipate a notable 
increase in the length of time to complete NHTSA Form 1843 and, 
therefore, there are no changes in burden from that which was published 
in the 60-day notice.
    Affected Public: Respondents to this collection will be members of 
the public recruited from Blacksburg, Virginia, and surrounding areas. 
Effort will be made to recruit equal numbers of adult males and 
females, including participants aged 25 to 65 with different levels of 
experience owning or driving a vehicle with LSS. A representative 
sample is not necessary to satisfy the objectives of the study; 
therefore, a convenience sample of individuals meeting eligibility 
criteria will be sufficient.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The target for the study is for 50 
participants total to complete both sessions with valid data collected 
for each. However, eligibility and attrition must be accounted for 
throughout the individual information collections included in this 
request. As previously stated, there are 11 individual information 
collections in this request. The number of respondents annually for 
each collection is as follows: Recruitment Screener--113; Informed 
Consent--28; Vision-Hearing Form--27; Knowledge Experience 
Questionnaire--27; Session 1: Controlled Driving--27; Session 1: Post-
Condition Questionnaire--27; Session 1: Post-Session Questionnaire--27; 
Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW Subset--16; Session 2: Post-Route 
Questionnaire LDW--16; Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW/LKA 
Subset--11; Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA--11.
    Frequency: This is a one-time information collection.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 654.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: The estimated annual burden for this 
one-time information collection is 272 annual burden hours (based on a 
3-year approval period). Further details are provided below. This ICR 
includes 11 individual information collections described below.

1. Recruitment Screener

    An estimated 113 respondents annually will answer a Recruitment 
Screener over the phone to determine if they qualify for the study. 
Participants will be screened over the phone to determine eligibility, 
with recruitment personnel recording responses on a paper form using an 
anonymized identifier. Respondents are expected to take an average of 
15 minutes to complete the questionnaire and will complete this 
questionnaire once, resulting in 28 annual burden hours.

2. Informed Consent

    Based on an estimate that 25 percent of those who begin the 
screening process will be eligible and interested in participating in 
the study, 28 respondents annually will be scheduled for an appointment 
to go to the contractor's facilities in Blacksburg, Virginia, for the 
consenting process and, subsequently, the full study. The consenting 
process includes an overview of the study, an explanation of the 
consent form, and an opportunity for the potential participants to ask 
questions and get clarification. Those individuals who consent to the 
study and enroll will complete the Informed Consent form and move on to 
the next process. This consenting process is expected to take 30 
minutes, resulting in 14 annual burden hours.

3. Vision-Hearing Form

    NHTSA anticipates a minimal amount of attrition following the 
consenting process; thus 27 respondents annually are expected to 
complete the Vision-Hearing Form. This collection involves an 
experimenter administering a vision and hearing evaluation to ensure 
that respondents meet the basic vision requirements of driver's 
licensure in Virginia (20/40) and to confirm that they can hear 
instructions provided by the experimenter when looking away. This 
evaluation is expected to take 5 minutes, resulting in 2 annual burden 
hours.

4. Knowledge Experience Questionnaire

    Following the vision and hearing evaluation, the 27 annual 
respondents will be asked to complete a 10-minute Knowledge Experience 
Questionnaire related to their previous knowledge of and experience 
with the systems under evaluation. Completion of this form will take 10 
minutes per respondent and is to be completed once, resulting in 5 
annual burden hours.

5. Session 1: Controlled Driving

    To assess preferences regarding LDW modality and timing under 
dynamic scenarios, study participants will experience a series of 
controlled driving tests with the LDW mockup vehicle on the Smart Roads 
test track at the contractor's facility. Each participant will drive 
continuously on closed loops while experiencing modality and timing 
conditions (independent and in combination, where applicable) 
incorporated in the LDW mockup vehicle, while data are collected by the 
DAS. No other traffic will be present on the part of the Smart Roads in 
use during participant sessions. After the participant performs a few 
loops to become familiar with the vehicle and the test track without 
instructions to depart the lane, they will be instructed to gradually 
deviate towards one of the lines until the departure warnings are 
triggered. Drivers will then be instructed to carefully perform a 
corrective maneuver back to the center of the lane after the warning. 
Not including the questionnaire elements referenced below, this driving 
session is expected to take 100 minutes, including vehicle 
familiarization, drive time, and breaks. For 27 respondents annually, 
this results in 45 annual burden hours.

6. Session 1: Post-Condition Questionnaire

    During the behind-the-wheel session, drivers will verbally answer 
questions administered by the experimenter. This ``post-condition'' 
questionnaire, with an estimated completion time of 5 minutes, will be 
administered up to 12 times for a total time of 60 minutes per 
participant. Note that this allotted time is in addition to the actual 
driving time. Administered to 27 respondents annually, this results in 
a total of 27 annual burden hours.

7. Session 1: Post-Session Questionnaire

    Following completion of the full driving session, respondents will 
be asked to complete a final post-drive questionnaire, capturing 
feedback pertaining to all conditions experienced. The estimated 
completion time is 5 minutes. Administered to 27 respondents annually, 
this results in 2 annual burden hours. At the conclusion of this first 
driving session and questionnaires, participants will receive

[[Page 15297]]

instruction to return on another day for the second session.
    To assess driver response to naturally occurring LDW and LKA 
actuations, two independent driving data collection efforts will be 
conducted on public roads in Southwest Virginia (the community 
surrounding the VTTI facility). The drivers who have completed the 
controlled driving sessions will return to the contractor's facilities 
for a second session, during which they will be assigned to one of two 
groups (16 respondents in the first group and 11 respondents in the 
second group) and asked to individually drive a prescribed route using 
one of the test vehicles, experiencing different modality, activation 
timing, and variation of LDW, LKA, and LDW/LKA conditions while driving 
as they normally would. The respondents will not need to repeat the 
consent form, evaluations, or instructional processing prior to this 
semi-naturalistic driving session.

8. Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW Subset

    Each respondent in the first group, 16 respondents annually, will 
drive a prescribed route using the LDW mockup vehicle. Each driving 
session will be part of a sub-study that aims to clarify the effects of 
the two independent LDW design variables (modality and activation 
timing) on driver performance safety indicators (e.g., frequency of 
lateral excursions and unintended departure events, and the magnitudes 
of these events). At the halfway point, a member of the research team 
will switch the modality/timing combination. A remote experimenter tool 
will allow the experimenter to monitor the session and allow 
interfacing with the DAS. The total driving session duration for each 
participant will be approximately 4 hours. With orientation to the 
research vehicle and prescribed route, along with a 15-minute break at 
the halfway point, the total estimated time to complete this driving 
session is approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. For 16 respondents 
annually, this equates to 83 annual burden hours.

9. Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW

    At the halfway point, when the respondents take their 15-minute 
break, they will also complete the ``post-route'' questionnaire. This 
is estimated to take 10 minutes but is distinct from their break time. 
They will complete this same questionnaire after completing their 
second half of the drive. For 16 respondents annually, this equates to 
5 annual burden hours.

10. Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW/LKA Subset

    Each participant from the second group, 11 respondents annually, 
will complete the same prescribed drive but will use the LDW/LKA 
factory vehicle rather than the LDW mockup vehicle. This experiment 
will address objective driver performance and subjective qualitative 
preferences under four system activation modes (none, LDW only, LKA 
only, and LDW with LKA). At the halfway point, a member of the research 
team will switch the modality/timing combination. A remote experimenter 
tool will allow the experimenter to monitor the session and allow 
interfacing with the DAS. The total driving session duration for each 
participant will be approximately 4 hours. Including orientation to the 
research vehicle and prescribed route, along with a 15-minute break at 
the halfway point, the total estimated time to complete this driving 
session is approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes. For 11 respondents 
annually, this equates to 57 annual burden hours.

11. Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA

    At the halfway point when respondents take their 15-minute break, 
they will also complete the ``post-route'' questionnaire. This is 
estimated to take 10 minutes but is distinct from their break time. 
They will complete this same questionnaire a second time after 
completing their second half of the drive. For 11 respondents annually, 
this equates to 4 annual burden hours.
    The 11 information collections described above are summarized in 
the following table, showing the number of annual respondents, 
frequency of response, time per response, and associated burden.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Time per
                   Information collection                       Number of    Frequency of    response    Burden
                                                               respondents     response      (minutes)    hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recruitment Screener........................................           113               1          15        28
Informed Consent............................................            28               1          30        14
Vision-Hearing Form.........................................            27               1           5         2
Knowledge Experience Questionnaire..........................            27               1          10         5
Session 1: Controlled Driving...............................            27               1         100        45
Session 1: Post-Condition Questionnaire.....................            27              12           5        27
Session 1: Post-Session Questionnaire.......................            27               1           5         2
Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW Subset.................            16               1         310        83
Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW.....................            16               2          10         5
Session 2: Naturalistic Driving: LDW/LKA Subset.............            11               1         310        57
Session 2: Post-Route Questionnaire LDW/LKA.................            11               2          10         4
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
    Total...................................................  ............  ..............  ..........       272
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $0.
    The respondents will not incur any reporting or recordkeeping cost 
from the information collection.
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of 
this information collection, including (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of 
responses.
    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 
35, as

[[Page 15298]]

amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.

Cem Hatipoglu,
Associate Administrator, Office of Vehicle Safety Research.
[FR Doc. 2025-06077 Filed 4-8-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P


OSZAR »
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.