Remotely Controlled Switch Operations

Forms and Documents

Document	Type	Status	Availability
April 14, 2026, FR Notice (30-Day).pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2026-04-14	Available
2130-0516_Remotely Controlled Switch Operations SJ Final 3-17-26.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-04-14	Available
January 30, 2026, FR Notice (60-Day).pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2026-02-05	Available
49 U.S.C. 20103.doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-06-04	Available
P.L. 100-342 (Sec. 19).doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-06-04	Available
49 CFR 1.89 -- Delegations to the FRA Administrator 10.1.2012.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2023-01-05	Available
49 CFR 218 (Blue Signal).doc	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2009-06-04	Available

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
26413	Remotely Controlled Switch Operations		Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 2130-0516	ICR Reference No: 202601-2130-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202301-2130-002
Agency/Subagency: DOT/FRA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Remotely Controlled Switch Operations
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 04/14/2026

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	04/30/2026
Responses	1,837,850	1,837,925
Time Burden (Hours)	22,973	22,974
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: The information collected is used by railroads to provide protection for work crews while they are performing necessary maintenance and repair tasks on a particular segment or segments of track. The operator of the remotely controlled switch cannot remove the locking device unless they have been informed by the person in charge of the workers that it is safe to do so. The written notification is designed to complement the requirements for the handling of remotely-controlled switches by heightening attention to safety requirements. The written notification received by the operator serves as a record of protection provided under blue signal protection of workers. This information collection is mandatory, submitted as needed, and there is a requirement for recordkeeping.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 49 USC 20103 Name of Law: Federal Railroad Safety Act 1970
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 4164	01/30/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 19262	04/14/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Remotely Controlled Switch Operations

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ICR Summary 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	1,837,850	1,837,925	0	0	-75	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	22,973	22,974	0	0	-1	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is an extension without change (with changes in estimates) of a previously approved collection of information. The current OMB inventory for this information collection reflects annual total burden of 22,974 hours and 1,837,925 responses, while the requesting inventory estimates a total annual burden of 22,973 hours and 1,837,850 responses. FRA made an adjustment under § 218.77 which covers the protection of occupied camp cars. The number of notifications annually has been reduced from 150 to 75, to better reflect the infrequent usage of these types of cars. All other requirements in this information collection remained the same.

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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: 04/14/2026

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