You no longer have to go to Washington to see what's on file at the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Last month, the board began placing on its Web site all major procedural documents and correspondence that have been filed in formal proceedings, with the exception of those marked confidential. Until now, access to those documents was available only at STB's Washington, D.C., headquarters until microfiche versions became available about 45 days after the initial filing. The board processes about 3,000 filings annually, many running to hundreds of pages each.

Users of the STB Web site (www.stb.dot.gov) can search for documents by either the filing date or the STB docket number. Site users will be able to determine that confidential documents exist, but the documents themselves will be available only to board members and staff.

The board also announced new rules for document filing that will facilitate scanning of paper documents. Those rules include paper and print standards that are designed to provide adequate contrast for scanning, and specifications for binding to make documents easier for staff to handle.