October 29, 2026 FR Notice (30-Day)

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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2026 / Notices

that FRA has identified fewer ISP
railroads than initially estimated. It does
not reflect that FRA has determined that
13 previous ISP railroads are no longer
ISP, which is a concern raised by the
comment submitted to the SSP ICR. The
revised estimate also does not reflect
any change in FRA enforcement
discretion, but merely estimates the
future number of ISP railroads based on
FRA’s experience implementing the
overall RRP rule. For example, the
lower-than-expected number of ISP
railroads is due in part to a
corresponding increase in the number of
railroads that proactively volunteered to
comply with the RRP rule, as provided
for in 49 CFR 271.15. Specifically, the
information collection notice highlights
that while the estimated number of ISP
railroads decreased from 15 to 2, the
estimated number of voluntarily
compliant railroads concurrently
increased from 0 to 10. The decrease in
the estimated number of ISP railroads is,
therefore, substantially offset by the
increase in the estimated number of
voluntarily compliant railroads. FRA
will reevaluate its estimates for the
number of ISP and voluntarily
compliant railroads during the next ICR
renewal cycle to ensure that future
burden estimates continue to be
accurate and transparent.
Finally, the incorporation of FRMP
hours into this ICR does not shift
administrative tasks into
uncompensated operational overhead;
rather, it is an administrative action to
more effectively manage FRA’s
paperwork collections. Because the two
programs are legally and operationally
intertwined, FRA consolidated the
burden hours previously reported under
OMB Control Number 2130–0633 into
the central RRP ICR (OMB Control
Number 2130–0610). The consolidated
table explicitly accounts for all
recurring FRMP administrative
workflows, allocating specific,
compensated burden hours for the
development of new FRMP plans,
analysis of fatigue risk, mitigation
strategies, implementation evaluation,
consultation with affected employees,
initial review meetings with FRA, and
subsequent plan amendments.
Before OMB decides whether to
approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30 days’
notice for public comment. Federal law
requires OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30-day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b) and (c); 5
CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978,
44983 (Aug. 29, 1995). The 30-day
notice informs the regulated community
of their opportunity to file relevant

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comments and affords the agency
adequate time to consider public
comments before it renders a decision.
60 FR 44983 (Aug. 29, 1995). Therefore,
respondents should submit their
respective comments to OMB within 30
days of publication to best ensure
having their full effect.
Comments are invited on the
following ICR regarding: (1) whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of
the burden of the information collection
activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to
determine the estimates; (3) ways for
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of information collection
activities on the public, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
The summary below describes the ICR
that FRA will submit for OMB clearance
as the PRA requires:
Title: Risk Reduction Program.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0610.
Abstract: In 2020, FRA issued a final
rule 1 that requires each Class I freight
railroad and each freight railroad with
ISP to develop and implement an RRP
to improve the safety of its operations.
Other railroads may also voluntarily
comply with the RRP rule by
establishing and implementing an RRP
meeting the regulatory requirements.2 A
railroad that volunteers for RRP must
continue to comply with the rule’s
requirements for a minimum period of
five years.3
An RRP is a comprehensive, systemoriented approach to safety that
determines a railroad operation’s level
of risk by identifying and analyzing
applicable hazards, and develops plans
to mitigate, if not eliminate, that risk.
An RRP must also include an FRMP
component, as required by a final rule
FRA issued in 2022.4 The purpose of an
FRMP is to improve railroad safety
through structured, systematic, and
proactive processes and procedures that
a railroad develops and implements to
identify and mitigate the effects of
fatigue on its employees.5 The
information collected under this
regulation will be used by railroads, and
FRA, to improve safety through
1 85 FR 9262 (Feb. 18, 2020).
2 49 CFR 271.15 and 49 U.S.C. 20156(a)(4).
3 49 CFR 271.15.
4 87 FR 35660 (June 13, 2022).
5 49 CFR 271.603.

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structured, proactive processes that
systematically evaluate railroad safety
hazards on their systems and manage
the risks associated with those hazards
to help reduce the number and rates of
railroad accidents/incidents, injuries,
and fatalities. Each railroad has
flexibility to tailor an RRP to its specific
railroad operations. Each railroad must
implement its RRP under a written,
FRA-approved RRP plan and conduct an
annual internal assessment of its RRP,
with FRA also auditing railroads’ RRPs.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: Businesses
(Railroads).
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Responses:
426.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
31,192 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour
Dollar Cost Equivalent: $2,812,135.77.
FRA informs all interested parties that
it may not conduct or sponsor, and a
respondent is not required to respond
to, a collection of information that does
not display a currently valid OMB
control number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2026–22069 Filed 10–28–26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket No. FRA–2026–0039]

Proposed Agency Information
Collection Activities; Comment
Request
AGENCY: Federal Railroad

Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
request for comment.
SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) and its
implementing regulations, this notice
announces that FRA is forwarding the
Information Collection Request (ICR)
summarized below to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for
review and comment. The ICR describes
the information collection and its
expected burden. On August 14, 2026,
FRA published a notice providing a 60day period for public comment on the
ICR. FRA received two comments in
response to the notice.

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Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 208 / Thursday, October 29, 2026 / Notices

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DATES: Interested persons are invited to

submit comments on or before
November 30, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed ICR
should be sent within 30 days of
publication of this notice to https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Find the particular ICR by selecting
‘‘Currently under Review—Open for
Public Comments’’ or by using the
search function.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Joanne Swafford, Information Collection
Clearance Officer, at email:
[email protected] or telephone:
(757) 897–9908.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The PRA,
44 U.S.C. 3501–3520, and its
implementing regulations, 5 CFR part
1320, require Federal agencies to issue
two notices seeking public comment on
information collection activities before
OMB may approve paperwork packages.
See 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.8
through 1320.12. On August 14, 2026,
FRA published a 60-day notice in the
Federal Register soliciting public
comment on the ICR for which it is now
seeking OMB approval. See 91 FR
52776. FRA received two comments
summarized below, related to the
proposed collection of information.
FRA received two anonymous
comments to the 60-day notice. One of
these comments appears to have been
submitted to this docket inadvertently
because it relates to a separate 60-day
notice for FRA’s risk reduction program
(RRP) regulation that was published on
the same day. FRA is addressing this
comment’s RRP concerns within the
appropriate RRP 30-day notice that will
be posted in docket no. FRA–2026–
1585.
The second comment submitted to the
system safety program (SSP) 60-day
notice asked about: (1) operational
assumptions FRA used to estimate that
a passenger rail operation can complete
an SSP internal assessment in 2 hours;
(2) how FRA will ensure that absorbing
Fatigue Risk Management Program
(FRMP) reporting into this ICR does not
obscure specific, tracked compliance
hours and resource allocations
dedicated to fatigue mitigation; (3) how
FRA reconciles the reduced number of
estimated new start passenger rail
operations with recent funding grants
expanding intercity and passenger rail
corridors; and (4) whether wage rates
utilized in table footnote 5 accurately
capture full labor costs of specialized
systems safety engineers, fatigue
experts, and legal compliance personnel
required to execute risk-based hazard
analyses.

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While responding to each of these
questions in more detail below, FRA
notes that PRA estimates only
encompass specific paperwork burdens
and are not estimates of the complete
compliance costs associated with the
SSP regulation, which were quantified
in a separate rulemaking impact
analysis. Further, PRA burden estimates
are not meant to be interpreted as a
tracked requirement for how much time
a railroad must spend on a specific
task—rather, they are merely estimates
meant, in part, to assist FRA in
minimizing paperwork burdens and
costs resulting from the collection of
information. See, e.g., 44 U.S.C. 3501.
Internal Assessment Time: The 2-hour
estimated PRA burden for the internal
assessment requirement only
encompasses the associated paperwork
burdens, and not the complete costs of
compliance with the internal
assessment requirement. For example,
the estimate reflects the administrative
burden of documenting and reporting
the internal assessment, not necessarily
the entirety of all associated activities
(e.g., tasks related to assessing whether
the SSP is implemented fully and goals
are being met). The 2-hour estimate for
paperwork burdens associated with the
annual SSP internal assessments is
paired with an additional 2-hour
estimate for the chief safety official’s
certification of those results.
Consolidation of FRMP Requirements:
FRA is integrating the FRMP burden
hours previously reported under OMB
Control Number 2130–0633 into the
primary SSP information collection
(OMB Control No. 2130–0599) to
manage its ICRs more effectively.
Consolidating these collections does not
obscure FRMP compliance hours, and
the consolidated table explicitly
accounts for all recurring FRMP
administrative workflows, allocating
specific, compensated burden hours for
the development of new FRMP plans,
analysis of fatigue risk, mitigation
strategies, implementation evaluation,
consultation with affected employees,
initial review meetings with FRA, and
subsequent plan amendments.
Passenger Rail Operation Growth
Estimates: FRA revised its estimate of
new passenger rail operations from one
annually to one over the upcoming
three-year ICR period. While federal
funding continues to support intercity
and passenger rail expansion, this
adjusted estimate reflects the current
baseline decrease in total passenger rail
operations from 33 to 32, and the
extended timelines typically required
for new operations to commence
service. FRA will reevaluate its
estimated number of new passenger rail

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operations during the next ICR renewal
cycle to determine whether it should be
increased.
Wage Rate Methodology for Hazard
Analyses: The wage rates utilized in the
burden table are derived directly from
the 2024 Surface Transportation Board
Full Year Wage A&B data series. FRA
utilized the hourly wage rate of $51.54
for employee group 200 (Professional &
Administrative), heavily weighted with
a 75 percent overhead burden to total
$90.19 per hour. For executive
oversight, FRA utilized the hourly wage
rate of $69.27 for employee group 100
(Executives, Officials, & Staff
Assistants), also burdened with a 75
percent overhead to total $121.22 per
hour. These standardized classifications
are approved methodologies for federal
ICR burden estimates and are
appropriate for the specialized
personnel who will be performing SSPrelated activities.
Before OMB decides whether to
approve this proposed collection of
information, it must provide 30 days’
notice for public comment. Federal law
requires OMB to approve or disapprove
paperwork packages between 30 and 60
days after the 30-day notice is
published. 44 U.S.C. 3507(b) and (c); 5
CFR 1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978,
44983 (Aug. 29, 1995). The 30-day
notice informs the regulated community
of their opportunity to file relevant
comments and affords the agency
adequate time to consider public
comments before it renders a decision.
60 FR 44983 (Aug. 29, 1995). Therefore,
respondents should submit their
respective comments to OMB within 30
days of publication to best ensure
having their full effect.
Comments are invited on the
following ICR regarding: (1) whether the
information collection activities are
necessary for FRA to properly execute
its functions, including whether the
information will have practical utility;
(2) the accuracy of FRA’s estimates of
the burden of the information collection
activities, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used to
determine the estimates; (3) ways for
FRA to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information being
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of information collection
activities on the public, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
The summary below describes the ICR
that FRA will submit for OMB clearance
as the PRA requires:
Title: System Safety Program.
OMB Control Number: 2130–0599.

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Abstract: In 2020, FRA issued a final
rule 1 that requires each passenger rail
operation to develop and implement an
SSP to improve the safety of its
operations. Each passenger rail
operation must use its SSP to
proactively identify and mitigate or
eliminate railroad safety hazards and
the resulting risk on its system to reduce
the number of railroad accidents,
incidents, and associated injuries,
fatalities, and property damage. An SSP
must also include an FRMP component,
as required by a final rule FRA issued
in 2022.2 The purpose of an FRMP is to
improve railroad safety through
structured, systematic, and proactive
processes and procedures that a railroad
develops and implements to identify
and mitigate the effects of fatigue on its
employees.3
A passenger rail operation has the
flexibility to tailor an SSP to its specific
operations. An SSP must be fully
implemented within 36 months of
FRA’s approval of a submitted SSP plan.
Under the SSP regulation, FRA will
audit a passenger rail operation’s
compliance with its SSP plan and will
use the information collected to ensure
compliance with the regulation.
FRA uses the information collected to
help ensure that passenger rail
operations establish and implement
SSPs to improve the safety of their
operations and to confirm compliance
with the rule.
Type of Request: Revision of a
currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Businesses.
Form(s): N/A.
Respondent Universe: 32 passenger
rail operations + 1 new passenger rail
operation.
Frequency of Submission: On
occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Responses:
233.
Total Estimated Annual Burden:
1,781 hours.
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hour
Dollar Cost Equivalent: $164,516.50.
FRA informs all interested parties that
it may not conduct or sponsor, and a
respondent is not required to respond
to, a collection of information that does
not display a currently valid OMB
control number.
Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520.
Christopher S. Van Nostrand,
Deputy Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2026–22068 Filed 10–28–26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
1 85 FR 12826 (Mar. 4, 2020).
2 87 FR 35660 (June 13, 2022).
3 49 CFR 270.403(a).

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA–2026–1882]

NHTSA Workshop on Aftermarket
Modifications and ADAS Performance
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of a public meeting.
SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration (NHTSA) will
hold a Workshop on December 10, 2026
to use its convening authority to discuss
advanced driver assistance system
(ADAS) performance, as it pertains to
the effects of aftermarket modifications.
The event will not be live streamed;
however, it will be recorded and made
available on the NHTSA website after
the event.
DATES: NHTSA will hold the Workshop
on December 10, 2026, with specific
agenda to be shared closer to the event
at the website listed below.
Registrationis free but required and
must be completed no later than
December 3, 2026. See SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section below for details on
how to register. The public docket for
the Aftermarket Modifications and
ADAS Performance Workshop will
remain open for comments for 90 days
following the Public Meeting.
ADDRESSES: The Public meeting will be
held in person at the West Atrium of
DOT Headquarters (1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions about the event,
please contact Dee Williams at
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Registration is required for anyone
planning to attend the ADS Safety and
Aftermarket Modifications Workshop.
Attendees must register at https://
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/
1FAIpQLSeXXJaMDYzzts4WMp
WT6dh5pds1wtwLV
fXYXIIPTpdpAo4V_w/viewform no later
than December 3, 2026. Please follow
the registration instructions presented at
the registration site. A sign language
interpreter will be provided, and closed
captioning services will be available.
During registration, please indicate
whether you may need any other type
of special accommodation. Should it be
necessary to cancel or reschedule the
Workshop due to an unforeseen
circumstance, NHTSA will take all
available measures to notify registered
participants as soon as possible. NHTSA

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will conduct the event informally, and
technical rules of evidence will not
apply. The Public meeting will not be
live streamed but recorded, and a
recording will be made available after
the event.
Comments: Comments about either
the Workshop may be submitted
electronically or in hard copy during the
90-day comment period. Please submit
all comments no later than.
April 19, 2027, by any of the
following methods:
• Electronic submissions: Go to the
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket
Management, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE, West Building, Suite W58–
213, Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except on Federal holidays. To
be sure someone is there to help you,
please call (202) 366–9826 or (202) 366–
9317 before coming.
Instructions: All submissions must
include the agency name and docket
number for this notice. Note that all
comments received will be posted
without change to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided. Please
see the Privacy Act below.
Docket: For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to http://
www.regulations.gov at any time or the
street address listed above. Follow the
online instructions for accessing the
dockets via internet.
Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search
the electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you may visit http://
www.regulations.gov/privacy.html.
Confidential Business Information: If
you claim that any of the information in
your comment (including any additional
documents or attachments) constitutes
confidential business information
within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4)
or is protected from disclosure pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. 1905, please see the
detailed instructions given under the
Public Participation heading of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of
this document.
Background: As modern vehicles
transform into software-defined

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