Ohio railroads now FRA's eco-watchdog (with audits)

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.

2026-18982, 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.

2026-18981, 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: 2026-18985, Call for Nominations to the National Geospatial Advisory Committee

The Department of the Interior is looking for awesome people to join the National Geospatial Advisory Committee, which helps guide how the government handles mapping and location data. If you’re involved in geospatial work—like from state, local, tribal governments, or private companies—this is your chance to share your ideas! Hurry, nominations close November 16, 2026, and there’s no pay, but you get to shape the future of geospatial programs.

Next: 2026-18987, Opportunity To Co-Sponsor Events With the Office of Research Integrity

The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) announces an ongoing opportunity for non-federal public and private sector entities to co- sponsor conferences, workshops, symposia, meetings, roundtables, or other similar events (collectively, "Events") with ORI. ORI co- sponsors a limited number of Events with non-federal entities each year. Potential co-sponsors must have demonstrated interest and experience in the responsible conduct of research or handling allegations of research misconduct and must be willing to substantively contribute to the co-sponsored Event. This notice supersedes ORI's October 21, 2022, co-sponsorship opportunity notice at 87 FR 64067.