Box A - Information Quality Guidelines for Federal Transportation Data

As a Federal statistical agency, BTS has its own statistical standards and participates with other Federal statistical agencies to improve the quality of statistical information. The practices of other transportation agencies that collect, compile, and disseminate statistical data are conducted under various guidelines. Here are some key information and statistical quality documents and guidelines:

• BTS Statistical Standards Manual—Covers all aspects of RITA/BTS statistical practice (http://www.bts.gov/programs/statistical_policy_and_research/bts_statistical_standards_manual/index.html).
• Guide to Good Statistical Practice in the Transportation Field—Includes the DOT guidelines for statistical information and additional BTS guidance for good statistical practice (http://www.bts.gov/publications/guide_to_good_statistical_practice_in_the_transportation_field/).
• Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information Disseminated by Federal Agencies—Federal Register Notice, Volume 67, Number 36, February 22, 2002, Part IX - Office of Management and Budget (http://www.bts.gov/publications/federal_register/pdf/volume_67_number_36.pdf).
• Guidelines of the Federal Statistical Organizations—An approach to guidelines for statistical information adopted by the Interagency Council on Statistical Policy (ICSP) (http://www.bts.gov/publications/federal_register_notice/pdf/volume_67_number_107.pdf).
• DOT Report for Implementing OMB's Information Dissemination Quality Guidelines—The DOT implementation of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) information quality guidelines and correction procedures. The DOT guidelines permit the operating administrations to issue their own guidelines, provided that these guidelines are consistent with the overall DOT guidelines (http://dms.dot.gov/ombfinal092502.pdf).

In August 2007, OMB issued a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comments on a proposed directive for release and dissemination of statistical products by federal statistical agencies. Comments will be reviewed by OMB before issuing the final directive. (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/inforeg/ssp/dissemination/index.html)