FRA paperwork notice #3: Still not exciting
Published Date: 9/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
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.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
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.
2026-18986, 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.
2026-18982, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.
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.
2026-17784, Amendments to Brake System Maintenance and Inspection Requirements
Starting September 30, 2026, new rules will make brake inspections and maintenance for passenger and freight trains clearer and safer by turning long-standing exceptions into official regulations. This update affects rail companies and helps avoid confusion about brake system checks, supporting better safety without extra costs. It’s all about keeping trains running smoothly and safely with smarter, simpler rules.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-18980, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program 2026
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for loan Applications, announcing the Application process for those loans, and providing deadlines for Applications from eligible entities under the Affordable Rural Cooperative (ARC) Program for fiscal year (FY) 2026. In future years this funding opportunity will only be announced on the Agency website and grants.gov, without a Federal Register notice. Therefore, in future years, neither the funding opportunity nor reference to the funding opportunity in grants.gov will appear in the Federal Register. Please make note of this change in location of the funding announcement in your records.
Next: 2026-18982, Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its implementing regulations, FRA seeks approval of the Information Collection Request (ICR) summarized below. Before submitting this ICR to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval, FRA is soliciting public comment on specific aspects of the activities identified in the ICR.