The Open Government Directive requires Federal agencies to take the following steps toward the goal of creating a more open government:
- Publish Government Information Online
- Improve the Quality of Government Information
- Create and Institutionalize a Culture of Open Government
- Create an Enabling Policy Framework for Open Government
Publish Government Information Online
The RRB has a long history publishing substantial amounts of information on its website for all interested parties. Past practices provided such information in a Portable Document Format (PDF). Consistent with the Open Government Directive, the RRB will continue to publish such information with consideration to expanding access to information in open formats.
Online Publishing
The RRB will respect the presumption of openness by publishing information online (in addition to any other planned or mandated publication methods) and by preserving and maintaining electronic information, consistent with the Federal Records Act and other applicable law and policy.
Open Format
The RRB will continue to publicize underlying data in cases where the agency provides public information maintained in electronic format. To the extent practicable and subject to valid restrictions, the RRB will publish high-value information online in an open format that can be retrieved, downloaded, indexed, and searched by commonly used web search applications that meet the needs of railroad employees, railroad employers and the public in general.
Modern Technology
To the extent practical and subject to valid restrictions, the RRB will continue to use its website to disseminate useful information, rather than waiting for specific requests under FOIA.
High-Value Data Sets
The RRB identified and published online in an open format five high-value data sets and registered those data sets via Data.gov. Going forward, the RRB will consider existing published data for conversion to open format for publication to Data.gov.
High Value Information and Data Set Inventory
The RRB High-Value Information and Data Set Inventory details the underlying data sets that are in an open format and accessible directly via Data.gov.
| High-Value Information and Data Set Inventory |
| Active Employees and Railroad Retirement Act Beneficiaries by State, 2008 |
A breakdown of Active Employees and Railroad Retirement Act Beneficiaries by State |
http://www.data.gov/details/1331 |
| Longevity of Railroad Retirement Beneficiaries |
Calculations of life expectancies of Railroad Retirement beneficiaries. |
http://www.data.gov/details/1332 |
| Railroad Retirement Act Annuitants and Active Railroad Employees by Congressional District |
A breakdown of Railroad Retirement Act Annuitants and Active Railroad Employees by Congressional District. |
http://www.data.gov/details/1330 |
| Total Number of Railroad Employees by State and Last Railroad Employer, 2007 |
A breakdown of Railroad employees by State and Last Railroad Employer. |
http://www.data.gov/details/455 |
| Total Railroad Employment by State and County, 2007 |
A breakdown of Railroad employees by State and County. |
http://www.data.gov/details/456 |
Open Government Webpage
The RRB's Open Government Webpage (www.rrb.gov/opengov) serves as the gateway for agency activities related to the Open Government Directive. The site allows the public to provide input about the agency's Open Government Plan, give feedback regarding the quality of published information, and provide input about what information should be prioritized for publication to RRB staff via E-mail.
Response to Public Input
The RRB will respond to public input received on its Open Government Webpage within ten business days.
Freedom of Information Act Report Publishing
The RRB publishes its annual Freedom of Information Act Report in an open format on its Open Government Webpage. The RRB does not have a backlog of requests to publish information in accordance with FOIA.
Open Government Initiative Guidance
The RRB will continue to observe guidance on implementing specific Presidential open government initiatives, such as Data.gov, Recovery.gov, and USAspending.gov.
Improve the Quality of Government Information
To improve the quality of government information available to the public, the RRB will ensure that the information conforms to OMB guidance on information quality and that adequate systems and processes are in place within the RRB to promote such conformity.
Designation of a Data Official
The RRB designated the Director of Administration to be accountable for the quality and objectivity of, and internal controls over, the Federal spending information publicly disseminated through such public venues as USAspending.gov or other similar websites.
Initiate Plan for Quarterly Data Information Quality Improvement
The RRB awaits guidance on the longer-term comprehensive strategy of the Deputy Director for Management at OMB for Federal spending transparency, including the Federal Funding Accountability Transparency Act and the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. The RRB designates the Director of Administration to respond to the OMB guidance for transparency in Federal spending.
Create and Institutionalize a Culture of Open Government
To create a sustained level of openness and accountability, the RRB will strive to incorporate the values of transparency, participation, and collaboration into the ongoing work of the agency.
Open Government Plan
The RRB's Open Government plan describes how the RRB embraces transparency and integrates public participation and collaboration into its activities and can be found at our Open Government Webpage. The plan will be updated every two years.
Incentive-Based Strategies
The RRB has designated the Director of Administration to review the findings of the Deputy Director for Management at OMB about the use of challenges, prizes, and other incentive-backed strategies to find innovative or cost-effective solutions to improve open government.
Create an Enabling Policy Framework for Open Government
Emerging technologies open new forms of communication between a government and the people. It is important that policies evolve to realize the potential of technology for open government.
Clarifying Guidance and Proposed Revisions
The RRB will observe guidance applicable to small agencies, from the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), in consultation with the Federal Chief Information Officer and the Federal Chief Technology Officer, to promote greater openness in government.