More FRA paperwork tweaks: Comments welcome on keeping it simple
Published Date: 4/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on a new paperwork plan to make sure it’s useful and not too much work. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment by June 22, 2026. This helps the agency keep things clear and efficient without costing extra time or money.
Free Policy Watch
New rules are filed every week. Most people never see them.
Pick a topic. PRIA watches every federal rule and tells you when one hits your household.
Pick a topic to get started
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Ongoing Reporting Burden for Railroads
If you operate a railroad, you must continue reporting grade crossing activation failures and related notifications. FRA estimates a total of 60,252 annual responses, 5,042 annual burden hours, and a total annual dollar-equivalent burden of $420,107.77 for the respondent universe of 784 railroads.
24-Hour and 15-Day Reporting Deadlines
Railroads must notify the National Response Center (NRC) within 24 hours of any impact between on-track railroad equipment and a vehicle, pedestrian, or other listed object involving an activation failure. Railroads must also report each activation failure to FRA within 15 days using Form FRA F 6180.83.
Form Changes to FRA F 6180.83
The FRA is revising Form FRA F 6180.83: adding a 'Loss of Shunt Involved' Yes/No checkbox, removing the reporting employee signature (because submission will use a dedicated email), adding a fillable text box for 'Other' warning devices, replacing cause-of-failure checkboxes with a drop-down, and adding two new cause codes ('j PTC/Wireless Device' and 'i Train Crew Non-Compliance with Rules').
Activation Failure Definition Triggers Reporting
An 'activation failure'—which triggers reporting—is defined as a grade crossing warning system failing to indicate a train's approach at least 20 seconds before arrival or failing to indicate a train occupying the crossing. Railroads must report activation failures per 49 CFR part 234.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in