Railroad Noise Emission Compliance Regulations

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
2130-0527_Locomotive Noise Cert_NPRM SJ 8-4-26.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-08-04	Available
IIJA SEC 22423.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2025-11-13	Available
40 CFR 201.doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2013-06-19	Source copy available
49 CFR 210.doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-06-17	Source copy available
NOISE CONTROL ACT OF 1972.doc.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-06-17	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
26440	Railroad Noise Emission Compliance Regulations		Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0527	ICR Reference No: 202511-2130-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202503-2130-003
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Railroad Noise Emission Compliance Regulations
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 08/04/2026

table that charts list comparision

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2028
Responses	6	4
Time Burden (Hours)	62	2
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: Under authority granted by the Noise Control Act of 1972, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established limits for noise emissions related to rail carriers in 40 CFR part 201. Those limits are enforced by FRA under 49 CFR part 210. In particular, the information FRA collects under § 210.27 is necessary to ensure compliance with EPA noise standards for new locomotives.This information collection is mandatory and submitted as needed.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 4916 Name of Law: Noise Control Act
   US Code: 42 USC 4905 Name of Law: Noise Control Act
   PL: Pub.L. 117 - 58 22423 Name of Law: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
2130-AC83	Proposed rulemaking	91 FR 48823	08/03/2026

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Railroad Noise Emission Compliance Regulations

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	6	4	0	2	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	62	2	0	60	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: In November 2018, FRA issued a final rule to establish equipment safety standards for passenger high-speed rail (HSR) operations up to 220 mph. Because certain levels of aerodynamic noise are impractical or impossible to avoid for train operations that exceed 160 mph, existing rail noise emission regulations would prevent full utilization of such operations in the United States. Congress recognized the need to address high-speed train noise emissions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Using the authority provided in section 22423 of the IIJA, this NPRM seeks to amend noise emission regulations at 49 CFR part 210 (part 210) to alleviate this regulatory obstacle for HSR operations. The NPRM would continue to provide for noise emission restrictions that protect public health and welfare and would be consistent with international standards. The proposed regulation would provide an alternative standard for noise emissions from train operations exceeding 160 mph, up to 220 mph. The proposal would also provide a special approval process for train operations exceeding 220 mph that demonstrate a level of protection consistent with these noise emissions limits. The proposal would adapt proven methodologies established in European Union (EU) regulation to promote harmonization with the global market for high-speed train technology and equipment. The new requirements proposed in this NPRM will increase burden by 60 hours.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 08/04/2026

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