This is to request the Office of
Management and Budget’s (OMB) renewed three-year approved
clearance for the information collection entitled, “Driver
Distraction Measurement Research.” This research is primarily
observational in nature, in which members of the public perform
driving related tasks and electronic device use tasks while their eye
glance and driving behavior is observed. The information collection
aspect of this research includes the gathering of information used to
screen participants (such as demographic and driving habits
information) and a small set of questions used to assess
participants’ well-being after driving in a simulator. While
this collected information will not be analyzed in any way, a
Supporting Statement Part B has been prepared and submitted to
provide clear information regarding how the information will be used.
1. Circumstances That Make The Collection Of
Information Necessary. Explain the
circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate
the collection. Attach a copy of the appropriate section of each
statute and regulation mandating or authorizing the collection of
information.
|
Subchapter V of Title 49 of the United States Code (U.S.C.)
authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to conduct “motor
vehicle safety research, development, and testing programs and
activities, including activities related to new and emerging
technologies that impact or may impact motor vehicle safety.”
49 U.S.C. § 30182. Pursuant to Section 1.95 of Title 49 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), the Secretary has delegated
this authority to the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA).
In June 2012, U.S. Transportation
Secretary Ray LaHood released a “Blueprint for Ending
Distracted Driving” summarizing a comprehensive strategy to
address the dangerous practice of hand-held cell phone use while
driving. The plan outlined steps that NHTSA will take to mitigate
driver distraction crashes including the development of
nonbinding, voluntary guidelines for minimizing the distraction
potential of in-vehicle and portable electronic devices. These
guidelines are being developed in three phases. The research
outlined here supports the third phase by developing a distraction
measurement protocol and task acceptance criteria for
auditory-vocal device tasks. The first phase covers visual-manual
interfaces of electronic devices installed in vehicles as original
equipment and has been completed and published. Phase 2 covers
visual-manual interfaces of portable and aftermarket devices.
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2. How, By Whom, And For What Purpose Is The
Information To Be Used. Indicate how, by whom,
and for what purpose is the information is to be used. Except for
a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of
the information received from the current collection.
|
This research involves two information collection aspects and an
observational aspect.
First, there
is a candidate participant screening process. The screening
process serves to ensure that study participants meet certain
criteria such that their driving performance will be
representative of the general public and testing can be safely
accomplished. The study participant criteria relate primarily to
driving habits and health. Candidate study participants are
reached through the use of an advertisement consisting of the
study description and invitation to participate that will be
published on print and online newspapers. Individuals interested
in participation will respond to the invitation advertisement by
visiting a secure website containing a brief study description.
Along with the study description, a web link is provided that
interested candidate participants can follow to begin the
screening process. The screening questions are presented via the
secure website and have two parts: The first part is a short set
of questions (see Question set 1) used to determine whether the
respondents meet the basic qualifications of participation. The
form solicits demographic, contact, and driving license and
history information. The second set of screening questions (see
Question set 2) is sent via e-mail only to respondents who meet
qualification criteria and are in age/gender combinations for
which additional participants are needed. The second set of
questions is used to determine whether the respondents are in good
health and likely to satisfactorily and safely complete study
participation if selected. NHTSA and its contractors access the
response information from both sets of screening questions via
secure website and use the information to evaluate individuals’
suitability for study participation.
The
observational aspect of the research involves two options with
each participant assigned to one of the two test venue options,
which include a “Driving Simulator” or a “Non-Driving”
venue. Both venues involve sitting in a vehicle and performing
in-vehicle tasks and a detection response task (DRT). In the
driving simulator test venue, in-vehicle tasks and DRT will be
performed together with a simulated driving task. In the
non-driving venue, the in-vehicle tasks and the DRT will be
performed alone, with no driving task.
The second information collection
consists of a “simulator sickness questionnaire”
(Question set 3) given to participants assigned to drive in a
fixed-based driving simulator. Some individuals are susceptible
to symptoms of discomfort when driving a simulator. A simulator
sickness questionnaire information is used to determine whether
participants need rest or assistance getting home after
participation in the study. It is also used for planning of
future experimental protocols.
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3. Extent Of Automated Information Collection.
Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of
information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical,
or other technological collection techniques or other forms of
information technology, e.g. permitting electronic submission of
responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means
of collection. Also describe any consideration of using
information technology to reduce burden.
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Electronic collection of recruitment information is facilitated
through the use of a secure website. Candidate participants learn
of the study through printed and online newspaper advertisements.
These advertisements direct the candidate to go to the secure web
page address to complete the basic qualifications questions
(Question set 1). Information entered by candidate participants
is securely stored in electronic format for review by study staff.
Secure web-based collection of recruitment information avoids the
need to mail printed question sets to candidates or conduct phone
interviews.
In the observational experiments, a
data acquisition system will be used to record driving inputs, eye
glance locations, and well as to video record the driving scene
and the driver’s eyes and manual control inputs during
in-vehicle tasks. The data acquisition system and its eye
tracker and accompanying software are used to automate the
determination of eye glance locations and to automatically record
other driver actions and driving events.
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4. Describe Efforts To Identify Duplication.
Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically
why any similar information already available cannot be used or
modified for use for the purposes described in item 2 above.
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The information collected during participant recruitment is
specific to the particular individuals that will participate by
driving in the experiment. Therefore, similar information
collected from other individuals is not relevant or applicable.
The agency is also not aware of any other sources of this
information.
NHTSA is not aware of any test
procedure that currently exists for the purposes of measuring
driver distraction during auditory-vocal in-vehicle task
performance.
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5. Efforts To Minimize The Burden On Small
Businesses. If the collection of information
impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any
methods used to minimize burden.
|
This collection of information involves individuals only and will
not affect small businesses or other small entities.
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6. Impact Of Less Frequent Collection Of Information.
Describe the consequence to federal program or policy
activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less
frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to
reducing burden.
|
This information collection has only one instance.
If the
information is not collected, NHTSA will not be able to conduct
the study because the agency would be unable to schedule
participants for the study. Further, without collecting candidate
information, NHTSA would be unable to confirm that participants
have the necessary amount of driving experience and balances of
gender and age.
This important
research effort consisting of two studies will be conducted one
time. The research is critical to NHTSA’s ability to
respond to the Secretary of Transportation’s call to
minimize driver distraction. As the agency responsible for
maintaining the standards for vehicle safety in the U.S., NHTSA is
constantly seeking objective data for use in basing decisions
about how to best protect the road traveling public and minimize
deaths and injuries associated with car crashes. Timely, accurate
information on driver behavior and performance considering modern
day vehicle equipment and driver habits is essential to NHTSA
determining the most appropriate recommendations and requirements
for vehicle equipment and driving safety. With regard to the
topic of driver distraction, the rapid rate of development of new
and different electronic devices that drivers may want to bring
into the vehicle with them warrants frequent examination of the
state of contemporary driver behavior and ways to minimize
distraction and mitigate crashes. The agency would have no
data-based method and criteria for assessing secondary task safety
without the conduct of this research.
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7. Special Circumstances. Explain
any special circumstances that would cause an information
collection to be conducted in a manner:
Requiring respondents to
report information to the agency more often than quarterly;
requiring
respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of
information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;
requiring
respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any
document;
requiring
respondents to retain records, other than health, medical,
government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records for more than
three years;
in
connection with a statistical survey, that is not designed to
produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the
universe of study;
requiring
the use of a statistical data classification that has not been
reviewed and approved by OMB;
that
includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by
authority established in statute or regulation, that is not
supported by disclosure and data security policies that are
consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes
sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential
use; or
requiring
respondents to submit proprietary trade secret, or other
confidential information unless the agency can demonstrate that
it has instituted procedures to protect the information's
confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.
If one or more of the following
applies, please explain in complete detail.
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No special circumstances require the collection to be conducted in
a manner inconsistent with the guidelines in 5 CFR 1320.6.
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8. Compliance With 5 CFR 1320.8(D).
If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page
number of publication in the federal register of the agency's
notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the
information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize
public comments received in response to that notice and describe
actions taken by the agency in response to those comments.
Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.
Describe
efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their
views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the
clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or
reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be
recorded, disclosed, or reported.
Consultation with representatives
of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must
compile records should occur at least once every 3 years--even if
the collection of information activity is the same as in prior
periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation
in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.
|
In compliance With 5 CFR 1320.8(D), NHTSA published the 60-day
Federal Register notice requesting public comment on the proposed
collection of information on April 30, 2015, 80FR24314. NHTSA
received two comments relating to the test procedures. Comments
did not address the questions to be asked of participants.
First, the
Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (the “Alliance”)
expressed concern with NHTSA’s “continued focus on
simulator research” as a basis for our driver distraction
guidance. Specifically, the Alliance stated “that the study
method proposed will not yield the meaningful and reliable metrics
that will assist in saving lives and preventing crashes. Instead,
such metrics and acceptance criteria should be developed using
naturalistic driving data.” The Alliance qualified that
this advice would not preclude the use of simulators for
conducting development tests, but such tests and any
auditory-vocal distraction metrics should be validated and
calibrated against real-world data before putting forth
recommendations. The Alliance also noted studies on
auditory-vocal distraction it believes NHTSA should consider in
formulating guidelines.
The
objectives of the current work, to develop a low-cost,
standardized test protocol and task acceptance criteria for
evaluating the distraction potential of tasks performed with
integrated systems with auditory-vocal interfaces, cannot be
accomplished through naturalistic research. To achieve the
greatest degree of repeatability and experimental control, the
test protocol will use driving simulator and visual occlusion
testing. NHTSA will, however, conduct a separate on-road study
supporting the development of driver distraction guidelines that
will be discussed in a Federal Register information collection
request notice at a later date.
Second,
American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) commented that the
quality of the NHTSA's driver distraction measurement research
would be enhanced if Honda’s “Pedal Tracking and
Detection Response Task” (PT-DRT) method was included in
this NHTSA research. Honda proposed that NHTSA collect objective
data using the PT-DRT method as part of the current research.
Honda also indicated that they would like NHTSA to adopt the
PT-DRT method as an acceptable alternative to the currently
allowed task acceptance protocol in NHTSA’s Driver
Distraction Guidelines.
NHTSA intends
to conduct this research using a method that builds on the
protocol developed for our Visual-Manual Driver Distraction
Guidelines and incorporates the extensively researched Detection
Response Task (DRT). NHTSA intends for our Guidelines test
protocol to be complementary and integrated, to the extent
possible, to achieve an assessment that is both robust and
efficient to conduct. NHTSA believes that the scientific basis
for the DRT method being standardized by ISO is strong.
Furthermore, the results of research by ISO member organizations
have been robust. The DRT will provide an easy to implement,
reliable, and well-vetted method for comparing distraction effects
of secondary tasks with that of a reference task (i.e., radio
tuning).
NHTSA has received briefings and
demonstrations of the PT-DRT method by Honda and has been
impressed with their scientific, reasoned approach and willingness
to share information with NHTSA. However, we feel it is most
efficient and cost-effective for us at this point to move forward
with investigating the incorporation of the well-vetted DRT into
our driving simulator based method and not to add a second, new
test method to the planned research. NHTSA wishes to clarify that
the research will determine the test methods that we will use in
evaluating auditory-vocal secondary tasks performed by drivers,
vehicle manufacturers may use whatever method they desire to
assess their own vehicles.
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9. Payment Or Gifts To Respondents.
Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to
respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.
|
NHTSA will provide monetary payment of $42.00 per hour for study
participation. Such compensation is consistent with normal
experimental practice to compensate participants for their time
and encourage participation in the study. The payment amount is
based on an hourly rate corresponding to a non-professional
federal government employee (GS-8, Step 1) in the locality
(Columbus, OH)in which the study is conducted. Additional pay
above the base hourly rate serves to compensate for special
participant criteria (e.g., technology experience), test procedure
invasiveness (e.g., wearing a heart monitor sensor), and miles
traveled to the test site. The compensation rate is reviewed by an
independent Institutional Review Board.
|
10. Assurance Of Confidentiality.
Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to
respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute,
regulation, or agency policy.
|
The agency will provide participants with an informed consent form
explaining that NHTSA will not release any information regarding
their names or medical histories. Any such personal information
will strictly be used for the purposes of study recruitment. In
order to maintain privacy, test participants will be assigned a
subject number which will be used instead of their name to
identify all data collected.
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11. Justification For Collection Of Sensitive
Information. Provide additional justification
for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior
and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are
commonly considered private. This justification should include the
reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the
specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be
given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any
steps to be taken to obtain their consent.
|
The test participant screening questions (included in Question
sets 1 and 2) are used to ensure that individuals meet study
eligibility requirements prior to their enrollment. Age and
gender information is collected to permit participants to be
assigned to the experimental conditions in a balanced manner.
Some questions address topics that are commonly considered
private, such as general health information. Health-related
questions are posed to ensure that the drivers could be considered
of average driving ability, are healthy enough to safely
participate in the experimental protocol, are not impaired in any
way, and have no episodic health conditions that could manifest
themselves during their participation (such as an asthma attack,
seizure). Candidates are asked whether they are taking any
medications that may affect driving ability.
The specific health-related
screening questions are list in Question set 2. Health
information will only be used for determining eligibility;
however, the records will not be retained nor analyzed for the
study.
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12. Estimate Of Burden Hours For Information
Requested. Provide estimates of the hour burden
of the collection of information. The statement should:
Indicate the number of
respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an
explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to
do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain
information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation
with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is
desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary
widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity,
show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons
for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden
hours for customary and usual business practices.
If
this request for approval covers more than one form, provide
separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the
hour burdens.
Provide estimates of
annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for
collections of information, identifying and using appropriate
wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying
outside parties for information collection activities should not
be included here. Instead, this cost should be included in item
14.
|
Time burden on candidate test participants and confirmed test
participants, as well as costs associated with confirmed test
participants are summarized below.
Overall
Time to Complete all Questions:
Question
Set
|
N
|
Time Per
Respondent (Hours)
|
Total Time
(Hours)
|
Cost
|
Total Cost
|
Candidate
Test Participant Screening, Experiment 1
|
1200
|
0.0833
|
100
|
$ 42.00
|
$4,200.00
|
Candidate
Test Participant Screening, Experiment 2
|
1000
|
0.10
|
100
|
$ 42.00
|
$4,200.00
|
Observational
Experiment, Experiment 1
|
192
|
5.67
|
1088
|
$ 42.00
|
$45,696.00
|
Observational
Experiment, Experiment 2
|
192
|
5.67
|
1088
|
$ 42.00
|
$45,696.00
|
Simulator
Sickness Questionnaire, Part 1 (administered to Test
Participants in Observational Experiment, Experiment 1)
|
150
|
0.0333
|
5
|
$ 42.00
|
$210.00
|
Simulator
Sickness Questionnaire, Part 2 (administered to Test
Participants in Observational Experiment, Experiment 2)
|
150
|
.0333
|
5
|
$ 42.00
|
$210.00
|
OVERALL
TOTAL:
|
2732
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$ 103,068.00
|
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13. Estimate Of The Total Annual Costs Burden.
Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to
respondents or record keepers resulting from the collection of
information.
The cost estimates should be split into two components: (a) a
total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its
expected useful life); and (b) a total operation and maintenance
and purchase of services component. The estimates should take
into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and
disclosing or providing the information. Include descriptions of
methods used to estimate major costs factors including system and
technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital
equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which
costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among
other items, preparations for collecting information such as
purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling
and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.
If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should
present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the
variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information
collection services should be a part of this cost burden
estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may
consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the
60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing
economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the
rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.
Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment
or services, or portions thereof, made (1) prior to October 1,
1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not
associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other
than to provide information or keep records for the government, or
(4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.
|
There are no additional costs to respondents or record keepers.
|
14. Estimates Of Costs To The Federal Government.
Provide estimates of annualized cost to the federal government.
Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate costs,
which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses
such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff, and any
other expense that would not have been incurred without this
collection of information.
|
Costs incurred by the Federal Government relating to technical
support of the conduct of this research are summarized below.
ACTIVITY
|
LABOR
EQUIVALENT
|
Time
(Hours)
|
Cost
(per hour)
|
Total Cost
|
Study Design,
Experiment 1
|
GS-14
|
480
|
$57.28
|
$27,494.40
|
Study Design,
Experiment 2
|
GS-14
|
480
|
$57.28
|
$27,494.40
|
PRA Clearance
Process
|
GS-14
|
200
|
$57.28
|
$11,456.00
|
Test
equipment
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
$150,000.00
|
Test
Preparation, Experiment 1
|
GS-13 (GS-12,
GS-13, GS-14)
|
2000
|
$48.47
|
$96,940.00
|
Test
Preparation, Experiment 2
|
GS-13 (GS-12,
GS-13, GS-14)
|
2000
|
$48.47
|
$96,940.00
|
Candidate
Participant Screening, Experiment 1
|
GS-12
|
700
|
$40.76
|
$28,532.00
|
Candidate
Participant Screening, Experiment 2
|
GS-12
|
700
|
$40.76
|
$28,532.00
|
Observational
Experiment 1
|
GS-13 (GS-12,
GS-13, GS-14)
|
3500
|
$48.47
|
$169,645.00
|
Observational
Experiment 2
|
GS-13 (GS-12,
GS-13, GS-14)
|
3900
|
$48.47
|
$189,033.00
|
Simulator
Sickness Questionnaire, Experiment 1
|
GS-12
|
5
|
$40.76
|
$203.80
|
Simulator
Sickness Questionnaire, Experiment 2
|
GS-12
|
5
|
$40.76
|
$203.80
|
Data
Analysis, Experiment 1
|
GS-13 (GS-12,
GS-13, GS-14)
|
2200
|
$48.47
|
$106,634.00
|
Data
Analysis, Experiment 2
|
GS-13 (GS-12,
GS-13, GS-14)
|
2200
|
$48.47
|
$106,634.00
|
Report
Preparation, Experiment 1
|
GS-14
|
1600
|
$57.28
|
$91,648.00
|
Report
Preparation, Experiment 2
|
GS-14
|
1600
|
$57.28
|
$91,648.00
|
TOTAL:
|
1,223,038.40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15. Explanation Of The Program Change Or Adjustments.
Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments
reported in questions 12 or 13.
|
This is a new data collection. Thus, creating a program change of
adding 278 burden hours to NHTSA’s overall burden hour
total.
|
16. Publication Of Results Of Data Collection.
For collections of information whose results will be
published, outline plans for tabulation, and publication. Address
any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the
time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and
ending dates of the collection of information, completion of
report, publication dates, and other actions.
|
Personal information will not be published. NHTSA may publish the
age and gender results from this data collection in aggregate as
part of a research report and future Federal Register published
documents. Results will be used to compare protocol refinement
options and secondary task effects on dependent metrics only.
Results will not be tabulated by recruitment criteria levels
(e.g., age, gender).
|
17. Approval For Not Displaying The Expiration Date
Of OMB Approval. If seeking approval to not
display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information
collection, explain the reasons that display would be
inappropriate.
|
NHTSA is not seeking such approval.
|
18. Exceptions To The Certification Statement.
Explain each exception to the certification statement
"Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."
|
No exceptions to the certification are required for this research
plan.
|