Old Railroad Grain Data Up for Academic Release
Published Date: 4/6/2026
Notice
Summary
The Surface Transportation Board got a request from the University of Wisconsin to use special railroad shipment data about corn, soybeans, and wheat from 1996 to 2025. This data is usually private, so anyone who disagrees has 14 days to speak up. This move could help researchers but won’t cost anyone money or change how shipments work.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Waybill Data Release Request
The Surface Transportation Board received a University of Wisconsin request to use unmasked Carload Waybill Sample data for railroad shipments of corn, soybeans, and wheat for the years 1996 through 2025 (docket WB26-13). The waybill sample contains confidential railroad and shipper data, and any parties objecting must file objections with the Director of the Board's Office of Economics within 14 calendar days of this notice; the rules are codified at 49 CFR 1244.9. The Board says releasing the data could help researchers and will not cost anyone money or change how shipments operate.
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Key Dates
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