Supporting Statement A_CMAQ

Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

Supporting Statement

Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Project Tracking System

OMB Control No. 2125-0614

Introduction: This Supporting Statement is justification for renewal of an information collection (IC) clearance for annual project reporting with the CMAQ Project Tracking System.

Part A. Justification.

1. Circumstances that make collection of information necessary:

The development and maintenance of a cumulative database of all CMAQ projects is required by 23 U.S.C. 149(i)(1). This database must include specific information about each project such as name, location, sponsor, cost, and to the extent already measured by the project sponsor, cost-effectiveness based on reductions in emissions and congestion. States provide annual reports on all CMAQ obligations and deobligations taking place in each fiscal year. These reports include obligations of program funds; descriptions of individual projects; and potential impacts on air quality and congestion. This CMAQ Project IC serves to demonstrate the Program’s support of Department of Transportation (DOT) Strategic Goals, including Safety and Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness. The CMAQ program provides funding for projects that improve air quality, providing cleaner air and a healthier environment in areas with air quality challenges; and provides congestion relief, improving traffic flow and mobility, increased safety for the driving public and reducing lost personal time, delivery delays, thus providing for increased economic growth and well-being.

2. How, by whom, and for what purpose is the information used:

Information provided in the CMAQ project reporting system, compiled in various forms, is useful to FHWA and FTA Program staff for planning purposes, reports to U.S. Congressional inquiries, budget justifications, and annual reporting. The database is also the official data source for reporting on CMAQ emission measure performance under the transportation performance management requirements in 23 CFR part 490.

3. Extent of automated information collection:

IC for the CMAQ Program is completely automated through a secure electronic data collection system. This system is further protected by FHWA’s proprietary User Profile and Access Control System as a firewall allowing controlled System entry to selected data entry stakeholders. Project records collected through this system represent the comprehensive history of CMAQ Program’s obligations since its inception in 1992.

4. Efforts to identify duplication:

There is no duplicate information.

5. Efforts to minimize the burden on small businesses:

There is no burden on small business.

6. Impact of less frequent collection of information:

Less frequent data collection would not meet the intent of the statutory authority for collecting this information and invalidate the current comprehensive content of CMAQ Project information. It would also prevent FHWA, States, and Metropolitan Planning Organizations from carrying out transportation performance management reporting responsibilities required under 23 U.S.C. 150 and 23 CFR part 490.

7. Special circumstances:

Not Applicable.

8. Compliance with 5 CFR 1320.8:

FHWA has issued the 60-day notice to the Federal Register requesting comments from the public on December 10, 2024, at [89 FR 99323]. There was one comment received that was not relevant or applicable to this program. The comment was classified as malicious activity and potential malware for data exfiltration.

FHWA issued the 30-day notice to the Federal Register notifying the public this information collection will be submitted to OMB for review and approval on May 2, 2025, at [90 FR 18889].

9. Payments or gifts to respondents:

No payments or gifts are involved in this IC process.

10. Assurance of confidentiality:

Include any basis for assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

11. Justification for collection of sensitive information:

Not applicable.

12. Estimate of burden hours for information requested:

All 50 State Transportation Departments and the District of Columbia submit CMAQ project obligation information on an annual basis. The respondents electronically submit an estimated total of 2000 project entries each year. Each entry requires an average of 15 minutes to complete making the estimated annual total 500 hours for this activity.

13. Estimate of total annual costs to respondents:

The respondents electronically submit an estimated total of 2000 project entries each year. Each entry requires an average of 15 minutes to complete making the estimated annual total 500 hours for this activity. Based on an average 2024 hourly wage of $38.86¹ for State and Local Government Workers as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, the estimated total annual cost to respondents would be $19,430.

14. Estimate of cost to the Federal government:

CMAQ Project Tracking System IC responses are typically received at FHWA headquarters (HQ) from FHWA Division offices in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. All 51 FHWA Division offices plus HQ staff each electronically review an estimated 2000 project entries each year. Each project entry approval requires approximately 10 minutes to complete making the estimated annual total 400 hours for this activity at the Division and HQ levels. Based on a weighted average 2024 hourly wage of $44.35² (average for General Schedule employees in Mid-Grades 11,12,13,14 and 15) for Salaried Federal Workers as reported by the US Office or Personnel Management, 2025 Salaries and Wages, the estimated total annual cost to the Federal government would be $17,900.

15. Explanation of program changes or adjustments:

Due to the renewal of this IC, the respondent burden hours have been reduced from 6,375 hours to 500 hours. In addition, there was an agency discrepancy between the estimate of total burden hours in the previous approval. This previous burden estimate has been reevaluated based on our current, more automated data entry process and was determined to overestimate total burden hours.

16. Publication of results of data collection:

Results of data collection are made available through a publicly accessible interface on the FHWA website (CMAQ Public Access System).

17. Approval for not displaying the expiration date of OMB approval:

Not applicable.

18. Exceptions to certification statement:

Not applicable.

1 Employer Costs for Employee Compensation - September 2024

2 SALARY TABLE 2025-DCB