FRA Seeks Comments on Asking for Comments (Yawn)
Published Date: 9/16/2026
Notice
Summary
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!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork Burden Rose Industry‑wide
FRA reports the annual information‑collection burden for railroad operating rules increased from 765,488 hours to 766,620 hours (an increase of 1,132 hours) and total annual responses increased by 14,895. FRA estimates 9,237,942 total annual responses from a respondent universe of 773 railroads, with an annual burden cost equivalent of $69,151,060.
Passenger Locomotives Must Have Cameras
The rule requires railroads that provide regularly scheduled intercity passenger service to install inward‑ and outward‑facing locomotive image recording devices on all lead locomotives of passenger trains. This requirement is part of the railroad operating rules referenced in the information collection.
New Form FRA F 6180‑49AP Recordkeeping
FRA established Form FRA F 6180-49AP to collect locomotive inspection, testing, and repair information for lead locomotives in commuter or intercity passenger service. FRA estimates 36 railroads will report for 4,500 passenger locomotives at 15 minutes per response, totaling 1,125 burden hours and $101,463.75 in wage‑equivalent cost.
Recording‑System Paperwork and Preservation Rules
Passenger railroads must adopt chain‑of‑custody procedures, preserve accident/incident recordings, and send written technical descriptions of locomotive image systems to FRA. FRA estimates these items for 36 passenger railroads as: 12 chain‑of‑custody procedures at 48 hours each (576 hours, $51,949.44); 140 saved recordings preserved at 10 minutes each (23 hours, $2,074.37); and 7 written technical plans at 20 hours each (140 hours, $12,626.60).
Protections for Random Employee Testing
If a passenger railroad uses inward‑facing locomotive image or in‑cab audio recordings for operational tests, it must adopt procedures using objective, neutral criteria so employees are randomly selected for testing. The rule is designed to prevent supervisors from unfairly targeting specific employees for operational testing as retaliation.
Bigger Employee Training Recordkeeping Load
FRA revised the estimate for employee training records under Sec. 218.95 from 85,600 employees to 101,000 employees. For 773 railroads, FRA estimates 1,683 annual burden hours for training records with a wage‑equivalent cost of $151,789.77.
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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.
2026-18982, 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.
2026-17783, Regulatory Relief From Locomotive Horn Sounding Pattern at Public Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
Starting September 30, 2026, train engineers can switch from the old horn pattern to just one single blast when near public highway-rail crossings. This change affects all trains and locomotives stopping close to these crossings, making horn use simpler and less noisy. It’s a smart move to cut red tape without costing extra money or risking safety.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18980, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program 2026
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is inviting rural electric cooperatives to apply for loans through the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program for 2026. This year’s application process kicks off with a call for Letters of Interest, and future announcements will move online only—no more Federal Register notices! If you’re a rural utility looking for funding, now’s the time to act and get your paperwork in on time.
Next: 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.