Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Railroad Administration 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 March 31, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might change how much time it takes to share info with the agency.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated Annual Paperwork Cost
FRA estimates the paperwork burden for these requirements totals 285,000 annual responses, 38,000 burden hours, and a dollar-equivalent cost of $2,789,580 per year across a respondent universe of 754 railroads. The estimate breaks down into 150,000 bad-order tags (5 minutes each), 75,000 removal notifications (2 minutes each), 30,000 designated-inspector records (1 minute each), and 30,000 stenciling actions (45 minutes each).
Mandatory Bad-Order Tagging
Railroads must attach a "bad order" tag (or card) describing each defect to each side of a freight car before moving it for repair under 49 CFR 215.9. Railroads must keep each tag for 90 days so inspectors can verify repairs, and FRA and State inspectors will review records to check compliance.
Freight Car Identification Stenciling
Railroads and private car owners must stencil or otherwise display identification marks on freight cars, including the car number and build date, under 49 CFR 215.301. FRA uses these marks to identify cars for safety compliance and to determine if a car qualifies for dedicated service exclusions.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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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)
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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
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01852, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration wants your thoughts on a new paperwork plan that helps them do their job better. If you’re involved with railroads or just curious, you can comment until March 31, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might change how info is collected to make things easier and clearer for everyone.
Next: 2026-01854, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
The Federal Railroad Administration 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 until March 31, 2026. This won’t cost you money but might change how info is gathered, aiming to make it easier and clearer for everyone.