Notice2024-24432
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety
Primary source
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Published
October 23, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Abstract
NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an extension of a currently approved information collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously approved collections. This document describes a collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB extension approval titled "Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety" and is identified by OMB Control Number 2127-0723, currently approved through February 28, 2025. The burden hour calculations have been adjusted to reflect a reduction in annual respondents resulting in a reduction in burden hours from 12,000 annually to 2,400 annually.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 84669-84671]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24432]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-2024-0069]
Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for
Comment; Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice and request for public comments on an extension of a
currently approved information collection.
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SUMMARY: NHTSA invites public comments about our intention to request
approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for an
extension of a currently approved information collection. Before a
Federal agency can collect certain information from the public, it must
receive approval from OMB. Under procedures established by the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB approval, Federal
agencies must solicit public comment on proposed collections of
information, including extensions and reinstatement of previously
approved collections. This document describes a collection of
information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB extension approval
titled ``Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety'' and is
identified by OMB Control Number 2127-0723, currently approved through
February 28, 2025. The burden hour calculations have been adjusted to
reflect a reduction in annual respondents resulting in a reduction in
burden hours from 12,000 annually to 2,400 annually.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 23, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by the Docket No. NHTSA-
2024-0069 through any of the following methods:
<bullet> Electronic submissions: Go to the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the online instructions
for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12-
140, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to help
you, please call (202) 366-9322 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number for this notice. Note that all comments received will be
posted without change to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any
personal information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading
below.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> or the street
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access
to background documents, contact Debbie Sweet, Office of Vehicle Safety
Research (NSR-010), (202) 366-7179, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, W46-417, U.S. Department of
[[Page 84670]]
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Please
identify the relevant collection of information by referring to its OMB
Control Number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies
concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has
promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a
document. Under OMB's regulation (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must
ask for public comment on the following: (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) how to enhance
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (d) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, 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. In compliance with these requirements, NHTSA
asks for public comments on the following proposed collection of
information for which the agency is seeking approval from OMB.
Title: Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety.
OMB Control Number: 2127-0723.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information
collection.
Type of Review Requested: Regular.
Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of
approval.
Summary of the Collection of Information:
In September 2017, NHTSA published a policy document titled,
Automated Driving Systems 2.0: A Vision for Safety (ADS 2.0).
Recognizing the potential that Automated Driving Systems (ADSs) have to
enhance safety and mobility, this policy document set out an approach
to enable the safe deployment of ADS-equipped vehicles. ADS 2.0
contains 12 priority safety design elements, each of which contains
safety goals and approaches that could be used to achieve those safety
goals. Entities engaged in ADS testing and deployment may demonstrate
how they address--via industry best practices, their own best
practices, or other appropriate methods--the safety elements by
publishing a Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment (VSSA). The VSSA is the
medium of collection of information for ADS 2.0. NHTSA provides the
VSSA Index on the agency's website as a pointer system for entities'
VSSAs.
Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the
Information:
The VSSA is intended to demonstrate to the public (particularly
States and consumers) that entities are: (1) considering the safety
aspects of ADSs; (2) communicating and collaborating with DOT; (3)
encouraging the self-establishment of industry safety norms for ADSs;
and (4) building public trust, acceptance, and confidence through
transparent testing and deployment of ADSs. It also allows companies an
opportunity to showcase their approach to safety, without needing to
reveal proprietary intellectual property.
Entities collecting information and disclosing that information via
a Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment have been given the flexibility to
disclose the information in a format deemed appropriate for that
particular entity. Each entity has selected the layout, presentation,
and verbiage structure that best fits its needs and goals.
Members of the public can retrieve the VSSA in order to understand
the technology, learn about how the testing and safety elements are
incorporated in the design and function of a system or vehicle, and
become aware of the testing and deployments in locations around the
country.
State stakeholders have expressed they would use the information in
the VSSA to assess the safety of ADSs on their roadways. Those States
looking to require application and permission to test and deploy ADSs
review the VSSA prior to issuing the permit. The States also use
information in the VSSA to communicate with law enforcement and first
responders as well as to educate the public.
Other consumer-based stakeholders access the information in the
VSSA to gather information to identify risk, inform decisions, and
educate, among other uses.
Affected Public: Entities involved in the testing and deployment of
ADS.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 4.
Frequency: Once.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,400 hours.
Estimating Respondents for this Information Collection: This
extension of a currently approved collection includes changes in the
annual respondents and thus a decrease in the annual burden hours to
the public. The changes are based on observations of the current and
past information collections.
NHTSA has combined multiple public lists of ADS entities to
determine the potential universe of potential entities that may (past
or future) develop a VSSA. Accessed on October 3, 2024, NHTSA combined
entities that were listed on the current VSSA Index, the California
Department of Motor Vehicle Autonomous Vehicles list of permit holders
(testing with a driver, driverless testing, and deployment), and the
entities that have submitted ADS incident reports through the Standing
General Order. Staff then reviewed the list to determine which entities
were no longer operational in the United States. This provided a
universe as well as a grounding in the size of the industry, which
entities have developed a VSSA in years past, and whether newer
entrants are present in the universe such that they may develop a VSSA.
The result of these steps was 59 ADS entities.
Of the 59 entities, 27 have developed and made public a VSSA since
the collections began according to the VSSA Index. NHTSA is not aware
that any of the 27 have updated the full VSSA during that time period.
Two of those entities have released an appendix with separate
information not included in ADS 2.0. NHTSA assumes these entities will
not update their VSSA in the next three years. Table 1 provides a list
of VSSA publication date since 2017. The average over the lifetime of
ADS 2.0 is three VSSAs per year. Perhaps more reflective of the recent
industry, the average over the current collection (three years) is 4
VSSAs per year.
Table 1--VSSA Dissemination to Date
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Release Number
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Webpage Only (no structured VSSA)....................... 2
Inactive pointer location............................... 4
2018.................................................... 1
2019.................................................... 1
2020.................................................... 3
2021.................................................... 4
2022.................................................... 2
2023.................................................... 6
2024.................................................... 4
Seven-year average...................................... 3
Three-year Average (period of current ICR).............. 4
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[[Page 84671]]
Taking into account the universe established (59 entities) and
those that have disseminated a VSSA or suggested a web page through the
VSSA Index (27), NHTSA believes there is a potential for another 32
entities to publish a VSSA; however, the maturity of the entity itself,
the development of the ADS, and the partnerships established within the
industry, NHTSA does not assume all 32 will develop a VSSA over the
coming three years. This is bolstered by the fact that it has taken
seven years for dissemination of 27 VSSAs.
NHTSA will use the most recent three-year average of four VSSAs per
year for an estimation of VSSA dissemination or publication for the
duration of this information collection extension. Therefore, the
number of respondents annually is four and the frequency is once per
year.
Estimating Burden for Each Respondent: Components of the Voluntary
Guidance in ADS 2.0 and public disclosure of the VSSA have not changed
since release in 2017. Therefore, these estimates of time to summarize
how an entity is addressing the safety elements remains the same as the
current information collection. NHTSA has not received comments that
these estimates are erroneous.
Development of a VSSA is expected to involve burden for format,
content, and summary, varying by safety element. NHTSA estimates that
each entity will spend approximately 600 hours to develop and
disseminate a VSSA. Table 2 provides a breakdown of burden hours by
safety element.
Table 2--Burden Hours Estimates for VSSA, per Safety Element
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Burden hours
Safety element in voluntary guidance for VSSA
development
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A. System Safety........................................ 30
B. Operational Design Domain............................ 25
C. Object and Event Detection and Response.............. 45
D. Fallback............................................. 90
E. Validation Methods................................... 90
F. Human Machine Interface.............................. 25
G. Vehicle Cybersecurity................................ 25
H. Crashworthiness...................................... 25
I. Post-Crash ADS Behavior.............................. 25
J. Data Recording....................................... 90
K. Consumer Education and Training...................... 45
L. Federal, State, and Local Laws....................... 85
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Total Burden Hours Per ADS............................ 600
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Table 3--Calculation of Annual Burden Hours
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Estimated Annual Respondents............................ 4
Estimated Burden Hours for Voluntary Assessment 600
Dissemination..........................................
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Total Estimated Burden Hours for Industry per Year.... 2,400
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The change reflected in this extension is a reduction of 9,600
burden hours annually.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: $282,384.
NHTSA estimates the hourly cost associated with preparing VSSAs to
be $117.66 \1\ per hour using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' mean
hourly wage estimate for architectural and engineering managers in the
motor vehicle manufacturing industry (Standard Occupational
Classification # 11-9041). Therefore, the estimated annual burden to
each respondent is $70,596 (600 hours x $117.66). Therefore, the annual
estimated labor costs to all respondents to this collection is
$282,384. This reflects a decrease of $885,936 for labor costs
annually.
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\1\ The hourly wage is estimated to be $82.83 per hour. National
Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates NAICS
336100-Motor Vehicle Manufacturing, May 2023, <a href="https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_336100.htm">https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_336100.htm</a>, last accessed October 9, 2024. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that wages represent 70.2
percent of total compensation to private workers, on average.
Therefore, NHTSA estimates the total hourly compensation cost to be
$117.66.
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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 Department, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Department's estimate
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (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 automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.
Cem Hatipoglu,
Associate Administrator, Vehicle Safety Research.
[FR Doc. 2024-24432 Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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