Search Results for agency_names:"Federal Railroad Administration"

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on a proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This request involves developing new metrics and standards to evaluate the performance of intercity passenger trains, like those operated by Amtrak. The FRA asks for comments on several aspects of this information collection, including its necessity, efficiency, and how it might be enhanced or simplified. Comments should be submitted by March 22, 2021, to ensure they are fully considered.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the Department of Transportation is asking for public comments on its Information Collection Request (ICR) concerning railroad accident and incident reports. These reports are crucial for understanding collisions, derailments, and injuries involving railroads, which are submitted monthly by 765 railroads. The FRA aims to ensure the collection process is necessary, practical, and efficient, and is also seeking ways to reduce the burden on businesses. The public can submit their feedback by April 19, 2021, as part of the approval process with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a notice to collect public comments on a proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) related to grants management and cooperative agreements, under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The notice seeks input on the necessity, accuracy, and potential burden of these information collection activities, focusing on improving the quality of data collected and minimizing public inconvenience through technology. The FRA has adjusted its burden estimates, reducing annual burden hours and responses, and emphasizes that the data collected will help ensure accountability in the use of federal assistance for railroad projects. People can submit comments until January 9, 2025.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final rule to revise civil penalty amounts for violations of various transportation regulations, effective December 30, 2024. These adjustments are required by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act and are meant to ensure that penalties maintain their deterrent effect by accounting for inflation. The rule covers a wide array of areas including aviation, hazardous materials, and vehicle safety, among others. The adjustments apply prospectively, meaning they will only affect violations occurring after the rule takes effect.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposes a rule to update brake system safety standards for trains that use an electronic air brake slip (eABS) system. This new system would allow certain rail cars to travel longer distances between brake tests, specifically up to 2,500 miles rather than the current 1,500 miles, provided the cars meet specific criteria. The proposal includes maintaining extended records of the cars' brake tests and allowing the swapping of blocks of cars in trains without additional tests. This initiative aims to improve efficiency and reduce employee injury risks while still ensuring train safety.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the Department of Transportation, is requesting public comments on its proposed Information Collection Request (ICR) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This ICR is about Railroad Workplace Safety, which involves collecting data to ensure railroads have proper safety programs for roadway workers. The FRA seeks comments specifically on the necessity and accuracy of these information collection activities and ways to reduce the burden on the public. The estimated paperwork burden has increased due to new recordkeeping requirements, and the FRA invites feedback by May 27, 2025.

The Department of Transportation issued a final rule that updates the penalties for violations of certain DOT regulations to account for inflation, as required by legislation from 2015. These updates affect various areas such as air and motor vehicle safety, hazardous materials transportation, and railroad operations. The changes include adjustments in the minimum and maximum fines that can be imposed for different types of violations. The rule was implemented immediately and did not include a notice and comment period, as per the stipulations of the legislation enabling these adjustments.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) of the Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on their Information Collection Request (ICR) before submitting it for approval. This request involves updates to the Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards (LSS) and revisions to an existing form used for locomotive inspections, which are meant to enhance safety and efficiency. These changes include new items to be reported such as different propulsion technologies and brake types. Overall, the updates have caused an increase in the estimated annual burden due to factors like more frequent inspections, an aging fleet, and the adoption of new technologies. The public is encouraged to submit comments by May 9, 2025.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of Transportation is seeking public comments on their Information Collection Request (ICR) under the Paperwork Reduction Act. They are asking for feedback on the necessity and utility of the information collection activities, the accuracy of their burden estimates, and ways to improve or reduce the burden of these activities. The FRA aims to use this feedback to enhance reporting efficiency, improve information quality, and accurately assess resource expenditures. Public comments must be submitted by May 12, 2025.

In response to a Congressional requirement from the SUPPORT Act, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is proposing a new rule to include mechanical (MECH) employees, who test or inspect railroad equipment, under its alcohol and drug regulations. This proposed rule aims to extend current regulations, initially designed for maintenance-of-way and covered service employees, to MECH employees. FRA believes that enforcing random and pre-employment drug tests could deter substance misuse among MECH employees, thereby enhancing safety. The proposed changes would also include guidelines for small railroads and contractors to ensure compliance and minimize burdens.