Railroads Beg for Comments, America Responds with Deafening Silence
Published Date: 11/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking for your thoughts on a paperwork plan they want to keep using. They already asked once and got no feedback, so now they’re giving you 30 more days to speak up before the Office of Management and Budget decides. This affects anyone who deals with FRA paperwork and won’t cost extra money but might change how info is collected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork burden for railroads and authorities
FRA plans to continue collecting information about locomotive horn use at highway-rail grade crossings (49 CFR part 222) and expects businesses to respond. FRA estimates a respondent universe of 754 railroads and 645 public authorities, with 3,536 total annual responses, 7,232 total annual burden hours, and a total annual burden hour dollar cost equivalent of $534,508.57. Submit comments on the information collection by December 26, 2025.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17904, National Environmental Policy Act Regulations
FHWA, FRA, and FTA (collectively referred to as the "Agencies") are finalizing the interim final rule (IFR) published on July 3, 2025, which revised the Agencies' National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 implementing regulations in light of the removal of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, the amendments to NEPA included in the section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FR Act) of 2023, known as the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act of 2023, amendments regarding efficient environmental reviews included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, and the Supreme Court decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition. The Agencies provided a 30-day comment period for the public to review and comment on the IFR. This final rule addresses public comments received and finalizes the IFR with minor technical changes.
2026-19031, Safety Advisory 2025-02; Track Is Clear Determination During Shoving or Pushing Movements Across Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Equipped Only With Flashing Lights or Passive Warning Devices (Supplement)
The Federal Railroad Administration is stepping up safety for railroad crews pushing or shoving trains across crossings with just flashing lights or passive warnings. After more accidents, including one death, they’re adding new rules: railroads must hold in-person safety briefings and review training programs. These changes aim to keep workers safer without extra costs or delays.
2026-18981, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on their plan to collect information from the public and railroad companies. They’re checking if the questions they ask are useful, clear, and not too much work. You’ve got until November 16, 2026, to share your ideas before they ask for official approval, and this won’t cost you anything but a few minutes of your time!
2026-18982, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) wants your thoughts on a new info collection plan that helps them do their job better. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment by November 16, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might ask for some time to share your input online.
2026-18986, Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program; Ohio Department of Transportation Audit Report
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is now in charge of handling environmental reviews for railroad projects instead of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). This change means ODOT must follow strict rules and is responsible for making sure projects meet environmental laws. The FRA is checking ODOT’s work with yearly audits for the next four years, and everyone can comment on the first audit report by October 16, 2026.
2026-17996, Safety Advisory 2026-01; Restricted Speed
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is reminding railroads and their workers to stick to 'restricted speed' rules to keep trains safe. This comes after seven recent accidents where trains didn’t slow down enough, especially in areas with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems. Railroads need to double-check their training and testing to make sure everyone can stop trains safely, or else risk more accidents and possible fines.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21147, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking for your thoughts on a new paperwork plan they want to start. This affects anyone who deals with FRA info requests, but no one has spoken up yet! You’ve got until December 26, 2025, to share your ideas before the government decides if this plan moves forward—no extra costs or big changes expected.
Next: 2025-21149, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants to keep collecting some info from the railroad industry and is asking for your thoughts by December 26, 2025. They’ve already asked once and got no comments, so now they’re giving one last chance before the paperwork gets approved. This won’t cost extra money but helps keep things running smoothly and safely on the rails.