FR 2025-02520

The document from the Federal Register details a request made by the University of Toronto. They have sought permission from the Surface Transportation Board to access data from Carload Waybill Samples spanning from 1984 to 2022. These samples contain intricate details about railroads and shippers. Due to the confidential nature of this information, any parties interested in objecting to this request have a window of 14 days from the notice's published date to submit their concerns.

General Summary

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has opened a window for objections to a request involving sensitive transportation data. This request is from the University of Toronto, seeking access to decades worth of railroad and shipper data encapsulated in what is termed as "unmasked Carload Waybill Samples." Essentially, these samples hold raw, sensitive data that maps out company logistics and statistics across a significant period. The STB stipulates that the rules for such data releases are found in a particular code, 49 CFR 1244.9.

Significant Issues and Concerns

The notice outlines several areas of concern:

1. Absence of Abstract: It lacks an abstract which could encapsulate the essence of the notice succinctly. Such a summary would be useful for stakeholders to quickly understand the core elements of the notice.

2. Purposefulness: The notice does not specify why the University of Toronto requires the data. Understanding the purpose could help in assessing the potential impacts and benefits of granting access to this data.

3. Objection Criteria: There is a lack of clarity about the criteria for filing objections. While the notice invites parties to file objections, potential objectors might find themselves without clear guidelines on valid grounds for resistance.

4. Post-Objection Procedures: After objections are raised, the process that follows is not explained. This gap creates uncertainty about how these objections will be handled and what the outcome might be.

5. Limited Contact Information: Only a phone number is provided for further inquiry, which may not be the most efficient or modern communication method for all parties interested in more information.

Public Impact

For the general public, this notice might seem distant until its implications affect services or data privacy concerns surface. These waybill samples provide robust datasets that can inform academic and commercial research, potentially reshaping logistics, market operations, and even regulatory landscapes. This highlights a delicate balance between fostering innovation through data use and safeguarding confidential business information.

Impact on Stakeholders

For the University of Toronto, the ability to access such historical data could mean substantial progress in research that could influence transportation studies and related disciplines. However, without understanding the underlying purpose, stakeholders remain in the dark regarding the specific benefits.

Railroad Companies and Shippers stand to be directly impacted by this request. Granting access could potentially reveal operational insights or competitive advantages that they might want to keep confidential, explaining the careful process around possible objections.

For Other Academic Institutions or Businesses, how the Board handles this request could set a precedent for future data requests, influencing similar ventures in data-driven projects or research.

In sum, while the document indicates a procedural opportunity for objection, it leaves many questions open, particularly for those directly affected by any possible release of sensitive data. The lack of clarity and direction in this notice highlights the need for more detailed guidance to ensure that stakeholders can meaningfully engage with and respond to such data requests.