Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The FOIA, codified at Title 5, United States Code, § 552, is a Federal law that establishes the public’s right to obtain access to Federal agency records.

The FRA is an operating administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation and subject to the Department’s FOIA Regulation (49 C.F.R. Part 7).

Any person can file a FOIA request, including U.S. citizens, foreign nationals, organizations, associations and universities.

All FOIA requests are processed in the Office of Chief Counsel at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Before making a request under FOIA, you may find information available in one of these locations:

• FRA’s Web site
  
• FRA's Safety Data Website (data related to railroad accidents and incidents, including railroad supplied highway-rail grade crossing accidents,
  rail equipment accidents, and employee injuries and illnesses)
  
• FRA Headquarters-Level Railroad Accident Investigation Reports (headquarters-assigned investigations and reports for completed investigations beginning in January 2005). It typically takes from six to nine months from the date of the accident for a report to be completed. This site will be updated regularly as new accidents are assigned for investigation and additional investigation reports are completed
• Docket Info website (FRA and Department of Transportation rule making proceedings, please review the Department of Transportation’s)

Additional Resources

FOIA Requester Service Center:
(202) 493-6065

FOIA Public Liaison:

Timothy Barkley
(202) 493-1305

Email: FRAFOIA@dot.gov