OMAHA, Neb. — Even as railroads are operating longer freight trains that sometimes stretch for miles, the companies have drastically reduced staffing levels, prompting unions to warn that moves meant to increase profits could endanger safety and even result in disasters.

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule requiring states to develop, or in some cases, update action plans for highway-rail grade crossings.

The automatic braking system Congress is mandating for the country’s railroads is almost implemented on the route miles required by law, according to federal regulators’ most recent update.

More than $311 million in funding is available for projects designed to improve freight and passenger rail connectivity, federal railroad regulators announced this month.

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a proposed rule that would require states to develop highway-rail grade crossing action plans — or update the action plans they have.

More than $244 million in grants is available for projects that improve safety, efficiency and reliability, federal railroad regulators announced this month.

Citing a persistent increase in the number of vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings in recent years, the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General has informed the Federal Railroad Administration that it is conducting an audit of the agency’s incident data.

The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a final rule to allow small railroads and their contractors to comply with employee federal hours-of-service record-keeping regulations using automated systems rather than paper records.

In a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen called on the senator to remove his hold on the nomination of Ronald Batory to lead the Federal Railroad Administration.

Regulators for the FMCSA and FRA announce plans to formally withdraw a 2016 advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding sleep anea.