The Florida Transit Safety and Operations Network (FTSON) Annual Transit Safety and Operations Summit was held on Monday, June 6, 2026, at Embassy Suites USF in Tampa, Florida. The Summit was called to order by Paul Goyette, Program Manager of the FTSON. Safety practices and emergency exits were demonstrated.

Welcome and Introductions

Networking and introductions were held prior to the Summit presentations. A warm welcome was extended to our FDOT Central Office guests André Rosedale, Transit Safety Manager and Tony Brandin, State Transit Operations Manager. FTSON Chair Benjamin Pearl (Sarasota County) and Vice-Chair Chris Garaci (Jacksonville Transportation Authority) were introduced, as was the FTSON Program Manager Paul Goyette (CUTR). Appreciation to all the Summit attendees was expressed.

Agenda of the Summit

A brief overview of the agenda was provided, giving insight of the day’s topics which included:

• The Preventive Maintenance Process: Compliance Solutions
• Wheelchair Etiquette & Mobility Independence
• FTSON Ice Breaker Activity
• FTSON Updates, Questions, and Outreach Overview
• FTSON New Vice Chair Nominations
• Beyond the Bus: Improving Safety Across the Transit Environment
• Crash Prevention through the Transformational Training of Safer Drivers: Addressing the Human Component
• Strengthening the Transit Workforce: The State of Apprenticeship and Mentorship in Florida
• How to Maintain Compliance Using Contractors 5310
• Cybersecurity in Transit: Risks, Challenges, and Solutions for Rural & Urban Agencies

The Preventive Maintenance Process: Compliance Solutions – Todd O’Neal and Randy Free, Lively Paratransit Instruction Program (LPIP)

Randy and Todd discussed items in the Compliance Review which included Braun Wheelchair Lift issues, Paratransit parking brakes, and pre-trip inspections/processes. It is imperative to check the Braun wheelchair during pre-trip for the outer barrier, the inner barrier roll-stop, the threshold alarm and the fold relief. Any one of these item malfunctions is an out-of-service defect. They demonstrated how to check the paratransit parking brake with the vehicle running. They also gave specifics for the pre-trip processes including new hire operator training, correcting the form for the vehicle type, workflow forms when the pre-trip is completed and out of service defects.
Critical safety defects were defined as Steering and Suspension Systems, Service and Parking Brakes, Tires, Wheels and Wheel End Components, Interlock Systems, and Wheelchair Lift Components. Further assessments for items that may impact passenger safety are Fuel and Exhaust Systems, Lights, Mirrors, Wipers and Warning Devices, Interior Controls, Gauges, and Safety Equipment, Emergency Exits, Doors and Windows, and Fire Suppression Systems.

In closing, the policies and procedures for the Lively Paratransit Instructional Program were reviewed. Training is free to the agencies, as is the ASE certification exam testing. The program operates in conjunction with the Florida Association of Paratransit Technicians (FAPT), the Florida Transit Technician Program, and the Florida Transit Maintenance Consortium.

Wheelchair Etiquette & Mobility Independence – Brianna Paauwe, AMF Bruns

Representative Brianna Paauwe, who works for AMF Bruns, gave an insightful presentation on wheelchair etiquette and mobility independence. Being a paratransit rider allowed her to give firsthand information about her experiences with public transportation. She discussed the importance of proper securement and ongoing training. Brianna expressed her appreciation to the network for the opportunity to discuss wheelchair etiquette and the importance of mobility independence.

FTSON Ice Breaker Activity – Gennaro Saliceto, CUTR

An icebreaker poll was conducted by Gennaro Saliceto which instantly engaged everyone in an anonymous way. Eleven questions were posed to the audience, one at a time. The live responses were displayed on the screen for everyone to see. It was entertaining and served the purpose of uniting the group.

FTSON Transit Agency Engagement Questionnaire Response Summary – Paul Goyette, CUTR

Paul Goyette shared the responses from the Engagement Questionnaire previously sent out to the Network. A resounding response was that the workforce shortage is a ‘system issue’ with recruitment challenges, CDL barriers, and service reliability. Retention, or the lack thereof, is linked to work conditions, safety, and career pathways. Safety is no longer just compliance, it’s human factors + environment + systems. Often, rules are not the problem – interpretation is (FMCSA vs. FDOT vs. local policies). Agencies want clear and actionable guidance. There are concerns about technology (AI, AVL, cameras, EVs,) and the ability to keep up through training and readiness. These challenges (safety, technology, workforce) are interconnected and there are no single-topic solutions.

In consideration of these responses, the FTSON should focus on clear, simplified regulatory guidance with practical tools, training and templates. We need real-world applications of emerging technologies, and benchmarking what “good” looks like. We recognize travel to attend FTSON meetings presents real barriers, but low participation equals low value. Moving forward, we will continue to maintain strong peer network, open sharing of ideas and resources, learning from other agencies and providing a supportive and collaborative culture. The next steps for the FTSON will create interactive discussions and continue to share challenges and ideas. Paul encouraged the group to use the network and help shape future topics and formats.

New Vice Chair Nominations – Paul Goyette, CUTR

Nominations will be accepted for the new Vice Chair of the FTSON. The Vice-chair will serve a two-year term and automatically move forward to the position of Chair of the FTSON in 2028. An email notification, call for nominations and final ballot will be forwarded to the network.

Beyond the Bus: Improving Safety Across the Transit Environment – Raymond Laroche, Punta Gorda Airport; Kyle Young, Convergint; Luke Bencie, Security Management International, LLC

An in-depth discussion regarding Proactive vs. Reactive, Safety and Perceived Safety, Incident and Downtime Reduction, Site Hardening, and Case Studies was delivered by the guest speakers. Demonstrating with actual video and case studies, it was clear to see the differences between reactive responses after an incident occurs vs. the proactive stance of awareness and intervention can reduce or eliminate incidents.
Hardening bus stops (safety and incident reduction) minimizes risks for passengers, especially vulnerable pedestrians like children, while meeting operational needs. Safety is achieved through thoughtful location, design, lighting, and integration with surrounding infrastructure. They also shared a case study regarding bus lane enforcement in Washington DC. Essentially, cameras are mounted behind the bus windshield. When a vehicle is illegally parked or traveling in the bus lane, the camera snaps a picture of the vehicle license plate. A violation may be issued to the driver based upon the evidence. A different case study conducted in Gainesville, Florida showed that the Advanced Driver Assistance System Implementation (ADASI) on buses led to an average of 34% reduction in detected conflicts. ADASI led to safer and more efficient service for the community.

Crash Prevention through the Transformational Training of Safer Drivers: Addressing the Human Component – Gabriel Keyes, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP)

Sergeant Gabriel Keyes gave a brief background of his career ranging from former school bus driver to 18 years as a Florida Highway Patrolman. He also gave a disclaimer/warning of the actual fatal videos that would be included in his presentation. He began with the statement that the roadway is a dangerous environment; we should always be prepared for the unexpected! There are four components of crash causation (human, vehicle, roadway, and environment).

Approximately 94% of crashes are due to human causation. Vehicle causation may be from design flaws, component failure, or poor maintenance but it is often aggravated by human behavior. True roadway components are design, damaged surfaces, and sight obstructions. Environmental contribution can be rain, smoke, fog, snow, and special conditions such as super fog or thermal inversion. The effects of environmental factors are often multiplied by the actions of the driver and poorly maintained vehicles. Sgt. Keyes shared videos that demonstrated each of the causations. He also warned of complacency; that safety is a mindset and lifestyle choices. In closing, he gave some common perception-reaction timelines: 0.75 to 1 second (alert and expectant driver, expecting hazard and possessing a pre-planned response), 1.5 to 2 seconds (real world driver), 2+ seconds (response to complex situations), and 2.5 to 4 seconds (impaired or distracted). Pay attention and expect the unexpected! The floor was opened for questions.

Strengthening the Transit Workforce: The State of Apprenticeship and Mentorship in Florida – Maurice Beard and Karitsa Holdzkom, Transit Workforce Center (TWC); Renita Revere, Miami-Dade DTPW; Joseph D’Elia, TWU, Local 291; and Antonio Harris, STAR Transit (Terrell, TX)

An overview of mentorship and registered apprenticeship was provided with focus on benefits, development process, and the TWC resources. The TWC is the Federal Transit Administration’s national technical assistance center for transit workforce development. It supports the needs of urban, suburban, tribal, and rural public transportation entities across the nation. Strong training programs that rely on mentors, including apprenticeship, require commitment from senior management to the frontline supervisor and the workers at the site. Mentors share wisdom so the mentee can grow to be savvy about how to thrive in their new job and work environment. Drivers volunteer their time to act as mentors and incorporate ride-alongs.

Relying on apprenticeships, structured training allows a new hire to acquire skills and master a craft. Registered apprenticeship is a proven strategy to help get people trained while they earn money. It is recommended an apprentice has 144 related technical instruction hours per year; there are different requirements for operators and bus maintenance. Benefits of each mentorship were provided, as well as TWC program outcomes. Specifics to start a TWC program include forming a committee to oversee your agency’s program, developing your mentor criteria, developing program components, branding your program, starting the mentor selection process, and launching the program. The proven keys to success include mentors, program coordinators, and using available resources. A list of resources was included in the presentation. Miami-Dade County Transit TWU Local 291 and STAR Transit from Terrell, Texas shared testaments of the benefits of TWC. A panel discussion followed which included a question-and-answer period.

How to Maintain Compliance Using Contractors 5310 – Dean Kirkland-McMillan and Laurie Zeruto, CUTR

The importance of oversight truly matters when considering passenger safety, funding eligibility, agency liability, and public trust. Compliance is not an optional matter, and it is not something to “set and forget”. Core oversight responsibilities for Operations include driver qualifications, training compliance, accident reporting, ride-alongs/audits, and incident review. Being slightly different, Maintenance oversight includes PM compliance, vehicle inspections, defect tracking, Policy vs. Practice, and maintenance records.

If a vehicle fails in service, the agency and the contractor own the risk. Common oversight failures and risk exposure include expired driver certifications, failure to report accidents correctly, incomplete investigations, unsafe vehicle operations, missed PM inspections, and incomplete PM inspections.

Each agency should build a strong Oversight Program by having a written oversight policy, defining monitoring schedules, regular audits/KPI tracking, corrective action plans (CAPs), and trend analysis. The five levels from reactive (1) to Optimized (5) were also discussed. To be noted, an agency can request onsite and/or remote technical assistance from the COTA team. An invitation was extended to attend the Compliance Oversite and Technical Assistance Program session on Wednesday morning at 10:00 am was given to dive deeper into the matters of Compliance Oversight.

Cybersecurity in Transit: Risks, Challenges, and Solutions for Rural & Urban Agencies – Gennaro Saliceto, CUTR

An overview of the Cybersecurity in Transit team and their motivation was given. A final report entitled “Cybersecurity Threats in Public Transit Systems” was published in February 2026. Transit agencies present threat actors with a high-impact, publicly visible opportunity. Urban and rural agencies are increasingly targeted, especially with digital systems that are now essential for transit operations and rider experience.
Cyber threats can disrupt service, compromise safety, and erode public trust. It’s important to understand how transit agencies detect, assess, and mitigate cyber threats. We should focus on risk assessment, incident response, and Information Technology (IT) /Operational Technology (OT) integration challenges. Nearly 11% of all reported cybersecurity incidents were in the transit sector. The motivations for these incidents include financial, ideological, disruption, and insider threats.

Some real-world case studies were provided, with literature review findings. We learned that transit systems have achieved greater efficiency and enhanced user experience through digitalization. However, this progress has exposed the sector to increased cybersecurity risks. Outdated systems and resource constraints add to the challenges of security. To mitigate these, integrated risk management, human-centric strategies and incident reporting is encouraged.

A survey was conducted which revealed many agencies do not have a dedicated cybersecurity officer, and approximately 65% of the agencies evaluate the effectiveness of cyber risk assessments. The survey concluded that major gaps (advanced threat monitoring, incident response planning, and regular policy updates) still remain in this field. Agencies want more threat intelligence sharing, more training in cybersecurity, and clearer federal/state guidelines. It is recommended that governance for cyber incident response plans, expand workforce in cybersecurity by integrating cyber awareness into the operations culture, and engage with peer agencies and federal partners. It is also recommended to conduct regular cyber risk assessments and prioritize critical systems protection.

Gennaro provided links for resources through APTA Standards, Transportation Systems Sector CSF Implementation Guide by CISA, and the FTA Cybersecurity Program.

• APTA Standard – Cybersecurity Considerations for Public Transit (PDF)
• APTA Standard – Securing Control and Communications Systems in Transit Environments Part 1 (PDF), Part 2 (PDF), and Part 3 (PDF)
• Transportation Systems Sector CSF Implementation Guide by CISA
• FTA Cybersecurity Program

Wrap Up and Final Thoughts – André Rosedale, EdD and Tony Brandin, FDOT; FTSON Chairs, Paul Goyette, CUTR

As the Summit was wrapped up, the floor was open for discussion. Special thanks were extended to all presenters and to the Florida Department of Transportation for their continued support of the FTSON. A preview of the FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop which begins tomorrow, June 9-10, 2026. With there being no further business, the Summit was adjourned at 3:49 p.m.