Feds Want Thoughts on Railroad Info Sharing Changes
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is asking for your thoughts on a new paperwork plan they want to use. They already asked once and got no comments, so now they’re giving everyone 30 more days to speak up before the plan gets a final thumbs-up. This affects anyone who deals with FRA paperwork and won’t cost extra money but might change how info is collected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Railroads and States must report crossing data
Railroads, the 50 States, and the District of Columbia must submit information to the U.S. DOT National Highway‑Rail Crossing Inventory (OMB Control Number 2130-0017) about highway‑rail and pathway crossings and periodically update existing crossing data. The FRA estimates a respondent universe of 646 railroads, 50 States, and DC, with Total Estimated Annual Responses of 225,145, Total Estimated Annual Burden of 9,857 hours, and a dollar cost equivalent of $878,539.56. FRA is seeking public comment by January 20, 2026, as part of its Paperwork Reduction Act review.
You may refuse collections without valid OMB number
The FRA informs respondents that the agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to, any information collection that does not display a currently valid OMB control number. This is a legal protection for entities asked to provide information under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The notice identifies the current OMB Control Number for the Crossing Inventory as 2130-0017.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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