Research from across the variety of safety topic areas hosted on the FTSON can accessed from this page. The FDOT sponsors and conducts extensive research. Also, if there is a safety issue you’d like to research more in-depth, try the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB), Transport Research International Document (TRID) search tool. This resource provides access to the largest online database of transportation research consisting of more than one million records.
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Transit Immersion Leadership Experience (TILE)
The FDOT Transit Office is excited to host the Transit Immersion Leadership Experience (TILE) and is a 12-month program. The FDOT identified a gap in both FDOT and transit agency hands-on experience in our current workforce. The Transit Immersion Leadership Experience (TILE) provides FDOT and emerging transit agency leaders the opportunity to gain valuable experience…
FTA Major Event Playbook
The FTA Major Event Playbook is a practical guide with key considerations to help public transportation agencies navigate federal transit requirements as they relate to hosting major events.
Suicide and Mental Health Crisis Intervention on Transit Webinar
FTA hosted a webinar to discuss suicide prevention and mental health crisis intervention on transit. The webinar featured guest speakers from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, San Francisco Suicide Prevention, Bay Area Rapid Transit and Utah Transit Authority who shared tools and resources available, and experiences and lessons learned from successful interventions.
Nation’s First Apprenticeship Academy for Florida Transit Agencies
Hiring and retention have been challenging for many industries, including the transit industry, with agencies having to make changes to attract and retain a more talented workforce. To address these challenges, the FDOT partnered with the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR), and the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Workforce Center (TWC)…
Report by Transit Center: People First
TransitCenter’s new report, “People First,” examines the current challenges facing public sector human resources that limit hiring and retention, and outlines potential solutions to rethink this critical agency function. The report identifies four areas that need to be reimagined in order for agencies to reverse worrying workforce trends: where human resources sits within an agency,…
Transit Workforce Shortage Study
The Transit Workforce Shortage Study builds a framework for APTA, its members, and its partner organizations to better understand the workforce shortage’s causes and outlines best practices for recruiting, hiring, and retaining transit operations workers. The study consisted of two phases: Phase 1 updated and expanded previous research on the worker shortage using a combination…
Human Trafficking Response Procedure Template
The Florida Department of Transportation’s Statewide Transit Training and Technical Assistance (STTAT) Program in partnership with Truckers Against Trafficking supported the development of the human trafficking response procedure template to provide transit agency representatives a tool that can be adapted to and adopted at their agency to ensure front line employees, dispatch, and safety supervisors…
FDOT State Transit Strategy Report
The FDOT Public Transit Office has been working hard to put together the first-ever State Transit Strategy, now on the FDOT website! In partnership with public transportation providers across the state, this document provides extensive information on our current transit system and its future. FDOT strives to provide Floridians and tourists with safe, reliable, and…
Scope of Work Template for Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) Procurement
The following is a sample scope of work for a transit authority/agency to consider if pursuing professional services for the completion of a thorough Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA). Please note: some agencies may need to consider the addition or subtraction of COA scoping items based on the characteristics unique to their governance, operations, service area,…
Operation Lifesaver offers new transit safety educational materials
Operation Lifesaver Inc., in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration, yesterday released a suite of new rail-safety education materials for transit riders. The assets are available to transit agencies, OLI state programs and the public, and can be found on the OLI website. The materials include new 30- and 15-second video and audio public service announcements in…
Surface Transportation Cybersecurity Toolkit
The Surface Transportation Cybersecurity Resource toolkit is a collection of documents designed to provide cyber risk management information to surface transportation operators who have fewer than 1,000 employees. https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/surface-transportation-cybersecurity-toolkit
Training Video: Service Animals and Transit Systems
Learn about the rights and responsibilities of riders and transit operators regarding service animals and transit systems. This open-captioned video (10-minutes, 18 seconds) is produced by the Southeast ADA Center, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University and a regional center in the ADA National Network. The video describes the purpose of…
FMCSA CDL Registry/ELDT Requirements
Entry-Level Driver Training Requirements for CDL Applicants The new Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations require that all entry-level drivers of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) receive training from a provider listed on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry. Download the Factsheet ELDT Minimum Federal Curricula Requirements Theory and behind-the-wheel (BTW) training requirements for: Class A Class B to…
Guidelines for Performing Transit Bus Accident Investigations
As part of FTA’s effort to promote continuous safety improvement in the public transit industry, these Guidelines for Performing Transit Bus Accident Investigations were developed to provide bus transit agencies leading transit industry practices for performing investigations. The supporting Transit Bus Accident Investigations—Background Research provides a comprehensive examination of each SMS element to broaden the…
Guidelines for Performing Rail Transit Agency Accident Investigations
As part of FTA’s effort to promote continuous safety improvement in the public transit industry, these Guidelines for Performing Rail Transit Agency Accident Investigations were developed to provide rail transit agencies leading transit industry practices for performing investigations. The supporting Rail Transit Accident Investigations—Background Research provides a comprehensive examination of each SMS element to broaden…
Components of an Investigation Report
View the following Components of an Investigation Report from the Florida Department of Transportation.
NSC: Undercounted is Underinvested: How Incomplete Crash Reports Impact Efforts to Save Lives
Preliminary National Safety Council (NSC) estimates show that 2016 may have been the deadliest year on the nation’s roads since 2007. As many as 40,000 people may have died as a result of motor vehicle crashes, while an estimated 4.6 million additional roadway users were seriously injured. This marks a 6% increase over 2015 and…
2018 Mobile Fare Payment Phase II Implementation Final Report
This Final Report contains the results of the evaluation of the StarMetro pilot of Token Transit. As of March 30, 2018, StarMetro’s pilot of the Token Transit mobile fare payment app, as sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation, has been completed. The pilot supported several activities, including the configuration of the selected mobile fare…
Performance Measure Document
This document is meant to serve as a supplement to the FDOT “Transportation Network Companies and Public Transit Agency Partnerships” document. The purpose of “Performance Measures for Public Transit Agency – Transportation Network Company Partnerships” is to provide a multitude of performance measures for public transit agencies (PTAs). PTAs can use these performance measures to…
Transportation Network Companies and Public Transit Agency Partnerships
This recently completed research provides FDOT with a state and national scan of TNC and Transit Agency relationships concerning TNC-contracted services. Understanding the motivations for agencies to contract with TNCs, understanding effective data contracting terms and performance measurements potentially enables agencies to have better outcomes as they explore on-demand options. In addition to the final…
Don’t Stop at the Stop: Actualizing Safe Access to Transit
The regularity of such incidents suggests that pedestrian safety has become a major public health issue in the state. For most transit users who begin and end their trips on foot, the lack of safe, pedestrianoriented infrastructure, combined with suburban, segregated land use characteristics, creates an inhospitable environment in which to walk or bike to…
Low Speed Vehicles and Information Request
FDOT encourages publicly-funded transportation providers throughout the state to consider innovative options to provide enhanced mobility to decrease traffic congestion, provide cost-effective service, and meet consumer demand. As always, public safety is at the forefront of FDOT’s mission. As such, we are providing the attached document to serve as a resource for transportation providers as…
Human Trafficking Awareness and Response Tactics for Florida Transit Agencies
This webinar was sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida Transit Safety and Operations Network (FTSON). October 28, 2020 @ 2:00 – 3:30pm (ET) About this Webinar: This webinar was designed with the goals of informing transit agency employees of potential signs of human trafficking, and empowering them with meaningful responses to join the…
Busing on the Lookout: Transit & Motorcoach
Bus drivers and bus station employees are in a critical position to help combat human trafficking. Traffickers recruit victims at bus stops or bus stations and utilize buses in transporting them, either following an initial online recruitment—when they are using a bus to bring their victims to them—or using a bus to take their victims…
Webinar Recording: Accident Report Writing 101
This webinar was sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida Rural Transit Assistance Program. Documentation is mandatory in the process of conducting a Bus Collision Investigation. Accident reports are required by Federal and State laws and are crucial in lawsuit preparations. This webinar will discuss some key issues related to documenting the chain of…
Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Readiness Workshop
FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop Session: Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Readiness Workshop Moderator: Stephanie Lewis, CUTR Presenters: Ashley Porter, FDOT; Paul Goyette, CUTR; and Susan Morin, Citrus County Transit At this interactive session attendees will learn the difference between the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) and the PTASP, and how the PTASP replaces the…
FDOT Pre-Trip and Triennial Maintenance Review
Pre-trip This video presents guidelines that transit agencies can use when developing their own pre-trip/post-trip inspection procedures. These guidelines serve as a sample of best practice methods for inspecting vehicle components generally found on Type II vehicles. https://vimeo.com/aecomvizstudio/review/424871401/e267abb387 Triennial Maintenance Review This video presents a sample vehicle safety inspection performed during a transit agency’s Triennial…
Webinar Recording: The Importance of Photography When Conducting Bus Collision Investigation
This webinar was sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation’s Florida Rural Transit Assistance Program. Photography is a key component of bus collision investigations. This webinar will address the principles of photography in collision investigation, and how photographic evidence can support written accident/incident reports, corrective action plans and possible lawsuit outcomes. This webinar will also…
Testing of a Vision-Based Pedestrian Collision Warning System on Transit Vehicles
Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) have the potential for improving transportation system safety including the safety of transit vehicles and pedestrians. Recognizing the importance of improving the safety performance of transit services, FDOT in collaboration with the MiamiDade County Public Work Department has initiated this research project to evaluate the effectiveness of Mobileye Collision Avoidance Systems…
Protecting Public Transportation Operators from the Risk of Assault
This notice alerts transit agencies to the need to address the risk of transit operator assault when identified through the processes required under the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) regulation. The PTASP regulation requires transit agencies to develop and implement Safety Management Systems (SMS) and associated processes for all elements of a public transportation…
FTA Human Trafficking Panel Video
Recently, FTA’s Office of Transit Safety and Oversight hosted a panel discussion on human trafficking during the 2019 FTA Joint State Safety Oversight and Rail Transit Agency Workshop. Speakers included FTA, the A21 Campaign, Southwest Transit Association, and American Public Transportation Association. Watch the full video for information, training, and other resources on human trafficking…
Enhancing Cybersecurity in Public Transportation (BDV25-977-51)
As transportation infrastructure continues to expand from isolated nodes to large interconnected networks, cybersecurity is a critical concern for transit agencies. This report provides recommendations and suggested policies for transit agencies that may help reduce cybersecurity liabilities. The recommendations are informed by a literature review of existing vulnerabilities, a survey of Florida transit agencies, a…
September 16, 2019: Basic and Comprehensive Emergency Management
Provide participants with emergency management functions and purpose that may be used at or by the transit agency. Download Handout
September 17, 2019: Public Transportation Agency Safety Programs (PTASP)
This session will provide participants with up to date knowledge of new regulatory changes to transit safety requirements. Download Handout
September 16, 2019: FTSON General Meeting
This operational session of the Florida Transit Safety and Operations Network (FTSON) will focus on significant statewide issues and activities ranging from transit related assaults, safety/security equipment and requirements, agency short-falls, supervisor and manager gap discussions, professional development opportunities and membership. \ Download Handout
September 16, 2019: Transit Safety and Operations Essential Training
The Transit Safety and Operations Essential Training session provides the audience a brief overview of upcoming training opportunities, resources and technical assistance that is available through the following programs: Statewide Transit Technical Assistance and Training (STTAT) Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) Substance Abuse Management (SAM) Transit Maintenance Analysis Resource Center (TMAARC) Download Handout
Webinar: Lessons Learned From Lane Transit District’s Service Animal Pilot Program
Did you miss the Lessons Learned From Lane Transit District’s Service Animal Pilot Program webinar? The recording is available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeyuHOr1gmw Learn more about LTD’s Service Animal Program: https://www.ltd.org/latest-news/ltds-receives-national-attention-for/ Service animal requirements and the full Service Animal Pilot Program report can be found at www.LTD.org/animals-on-the-bus/. Organization: CTAA and Lane Transit District (Oregon) Description: Lane Transit District…
Mind the Gap: Best practices in bus headway management
In the last few years, expanding high-frequency transit service has become a hot topic at transit agencies across the country, and for good reason: research shows that frequent service is one of the best ways to keep riders of public transit, well, riding public transit. Continue reading….
TR News July-August 2019: Toward Railroad Trespassing Solutions
The July–August 2019 issue of TR News focuses on types of trespassing in passenger and freight rail: the importance of the issue, possible strategies to prevent trespassing, and effects on the rail transportation system. Articles will present an overview of the prevalence of trespassing deaths and will address a variety of preventive strategies and technologies…
July 29, 2019: Statewide Safety and Security Symposium
HART Leads First Statewide Safety & Security Symposium Transit agencies and safety experts from across the country are gathering in Tampa to discuss transit safety & security TAMPA, FLA. – The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) is gathering national safety experts and transit peers from across the country for the first statewide Transit Safety &…
June 4, 2019: Safety Management Systems (SMS), Rule 14-90 FAC, and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) – Part 2
2019 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop Presenters: Ashley Porter, FDOT; and Paul Goyette and Stephen Berry, CUTR Do you want to learn more about planning for safety risks and prioritizing safety performance? This session will focus on the tools available to design and build an effective PTASP. Attendees will have an opportunity to do hands-on safety…
June 4, 2019: Safety Management Systems (SMS), Rule 14-90 FAC, and Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) – Part 1
2019 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop Presenters: Ashley Porter, FDOT; and Paul Goyette and Stephen Berry, CUTR Gear up for the next big change in transit. We’ve all heard about Safety Management Systems (SMS), but what does it mean for transit agencies in Florida? Join us for a session that will explain the paradigm of SMS…
June 4, 2019: The Ongoing Evolution of Transit Emergency Management in Florida
2019 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop & Transit Safety and Operations Summit Moderator: Stephen Berry, CUTR Presenters: Stephen Berry and Dean Kirkland, CUTR; Bobby Westbrook and Ashley Porter, FDOT; Angela Bradley and Lamar Hobbs, Bay County Trolley; and Jim Egbert, MCAT Florida continues to be a hot bed for hurricane activity. In 2018, Hurricane Michael made…
TCRP Research Report 204: Partnerships Between Transit Agencies and Transportation Network Companies (TNCs)
Public transit agencies are increasingly partnering with mobility service providers. Among these providers are transportation network companies (TNCs), which include companies like Uber and Lyft and are the specific focus of this research effort. The transit industry has produced research to describe primary considerations transit agencies should have in mind for partnerships with TNCs, but…
Role of Public Transportation in a Natural Disaster State of Emergency Declaration
Authors: Jodi Godfrey, Gennaro Saliceto, and Roberta Yegidis, Center for Urban Transportation Research Destructive natural disasters such as hurricanes or other extreme weather events challenge many industries, especially the public transit industry. The 2017 hurricane season proved to be tumultuous, with three major hurricanes devastating the United States in less than 2 months. The challenges faced…
Understanding Ridership Trends in Transit
Authors: Steven Polzin, Ph.D., Program Director, Mobility Policy Research; and Jodi Godfrey, Senior Research Associate, Center for Urban Transportation Research Florida has seen dramatic ridership declines in the past four years. These declines are over two times more severe than those for the nation and have continued thru 2018. The declines are pervasive with the…
Research in Progress: TCRP C-23 [RFP]: Assessing and Mitigating Electrical Fires on Transit Vehicles
The objective of this research is to develop guidance for assessing and mitigating electrical fires on transit vehicles. Transit vehicle fires have safety implications for passengers and employees as well as liability implications for manufacturers, suppliers, and operators. The majority of electrical/arcing fire events lead to a total burn out/loss of the vehicle or serious…
Effective Practices in Bus Transit Safety Emergency Response
During an emergency, transit agency employees may be responsible for managing incidents, assessing situations, and taking appropriate actions. Crisis management is stressful, so transit agency staff not only need clear procedures to follow, but also training and practice on how to carry out those procedures. From considering emergency response in vehicle and equipment purchasing to…
Common Session: Transit’s Response to Active Shooter and Crisis Events
As active shooter and other crisis events continue to occur, we are learning more about the ways in which our transit agencies are being called upon in response, recovery, and other post-event activities. This opening session will include presentations from representatives of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), Broward County…
Assessing and Enhancing Transit Security for an Evolving Transportation Society
The following session was presented during the 2018 FPTA/FDOT/CUTR Professional Development Workshop & Transit Safety and Operations Summit on June 5, 2018. This session will discuss how to assess and enhance your transit security needs while staying current with trends and threats. Assessment tools and potential funding sources for security projects will be discussed. Download…
TCRP Web-Only Document 60, NCHRP Web-Only Document 200: Command-Level Decision Making for Transit Emergency Managers
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 60 and National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web -Only Document 200: Command-Level Decision Making for Transit Emergency Managers describes a Transit Emergency Response Application (TERA) that is designed to train transit command-level decision makers through simulation guided experiential learning. TERA provides training and exercise for command-level…
Substance Abuse Model Policy Templates and Instructions for Adopting Policy
In response to recent amendments made to the USDOT rule 49 CFR Part 40, The Procedures for Transportation Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Programs, FDOT is issuing two new FTA-compliant policy templates. To assist the District offices and our state’s transit systems in understanding the regulatory changes and how they relate to the policy templates, Diana Byrnes (CUTR) has recorded a technical assistance webinar:…
Improving the Resilience of Transit Systems Threatened by Natural Disasters
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web Only Document 70: Improving the Resilience of Transit Systems Threatened by Natural Disasters, Volume 1: A Guide offers practices for transit systems of all sizes to absorb the impacts of disaster, recover quickly, and return rapidly to providing the services that customers rely on to meet their travel…
Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices: 2018
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Research Results Digest 114: Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices is a digest of the progress and status of TCRP Project J-7, “Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices,” for which the Transportation Research Board is the agency conducting the research. View Research Digest
TCRP Report 195: Broadening Understanding of the Interplay Between Public Transit, Shared Mobility, and Personal Automobiles
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Research Report 195: Broadening Understanding of the Interplay Among Public Transit, Shared Mobility, and Personal Automobiles explores the effects of app-based transportation network companies on the cities in which they operate, including on public transit ridership, single-occupancy vehicle trips, and traffic congestion. Built upon the findings of TCRP Research Report…
(U) Active Shooter Indicators
(U) As many active shooting incidents indicate a level of pre-planning, the following is a not all inclusive list of behavioral indicators that may suggest pre-operational planning in active shooter incidents. Several indicators may indicate a heightened threat. • (U) Increased advocacy of violence, erratic, unsafe, or aggressive behaviors; • (U) Idolizing previous active shooting…
The Art of Defusing Conflict: De-Escalation Techniques for Transit Operators
This training course was developed in cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Transit Safety Network and produced by the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research. The Instructor Guide is meant to be printed and to serve as a guide for Florida’s transit trainers. The PowerPoint presentation and agency…
NCHRP 17-73 [Active]: Systemic Pedestrian Safety Analyses
The objective of this research is to develop a process for (1) conducting systemic safety analyses for pedestrians using analytical techniques to identify pedestrian activities (including behavior), roadway features, and other contextual risk factors, e.g., land use, that are associated with pedestrian crashes; (2) identifying appropriate and cost-effective systemic pedestrian safety improvements to address their…
TCRP Synthesis J-07/Topic SA-39 [Active (Synthesis)]: Managing Extreme Weather at Bus Stops
This synthesis will survey North American transit operators with particular emphasis on systems in areas most likely to be affected by extreme weather to determine what methods and procedures are used for maintaining transit stops and associated transit infrastructure during and following extreme weather events. View Report
FTA Releases Update Hazard Mitigation Cost Effectiveness Tool
As technical assistance to transit agencies that are considering disaster resilience as a part of their capital investment programs, FTA has updated its resilience benefit tool — the Hazard Mitigation Cost Effectiveness Tool. First developed to evaluate potential resilience projects in the Northeast for competitive funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, FTA’s updated tool…
Passenger Rail Equipment Qualification Database
A passenger rail equipment qualification and acceptance database funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was developed to house all past and present qualification and acceptance tests for new passenger vehicles. The database is available for the industry including transit agencies writing new vehicle procurement documents, car builders reviewing specifications, and other industry stakeholders. Tests…
TCRP Report 194: Knowledge Management Resource to Support Strategic Workforce Development for Transit Agencies
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Research Report 194: Knowledge Management Resource to Support Strategic Workforce Development for Transit Agencies explores the importance of knowledge management (KM), which is an organization’s process for collecting, storing, and sharing organizational information and knowledge, and provides guidance on implementing KM strategies in transit agencies. In addition, the guidance…
Surface Transportation Vulnerability Assessments and Security Plans Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM)
TSA has reopened the comment period for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking, published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2016, requesting public comments on several topics relevant to the development of Surface Transportation Vulnerability Assessments and Security Plans mandated by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (9/11 Act). Comments…
TCRP Synthesis J-07/Topic SA-37 [Active (Synthesis)]: Multi-agency Electronic Fare Payment Systems
This synthesis will document the state of the practice and use of common electronic fare payments. Also, it will include considerations for next generation approaches (policies and business practices, technology, etc.). This report will help transit agencies make informed choices by providing information on challenges and potential benefits in adopting these systems. View Report
The Challenge of Protecting Transit and Passenger Rail: Understanding How Security Works Against Terrorism
Terrorists see transit and passenger rail as an attractive target. Designed for public convenience, trains and stations offer terrorists easy access to crowds of people in confined environments where there are minimal security risks and attacks can cause high casualties. This report examines the unique attributes of the terrorist threat, how security measures against terrorism…
TCRP Synthesis Report 127: Addressing Difficult Customer Situations
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 127: Addressing Difficult Customer Situations considers issues surrounding difficult customers or passengers and the variety of circumstances that can arise when they utilize transit system facilities or vehicles. The report identifies current practices used by transit agencies to prevent, prepare for, and deal with these incidents. View the…
February Issue of FTA Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight Newsletter Now Available
A new issue of the Transit Safety and Oversight Spotlight newsletter is now available. The February edition includes information about the National Public Transportation Safety Plan, a reminder to comment on FTA’s proposed General Directive about stop signal overruns by March 20, FTA’s recently published safety standards report, and upcoming safety training. Please share the…
TCRP Synthesis J-07/Topic SA-40 [Active (Synthesis)]: Planning and Design for Fire/Smoke Incidents in Underground Passenger Rail Systems
This synthesis will provide state-of-the-practice information for the planning, design, and operations for fire/smoke incidents in underground or enclosed conditions of passenger rail systems. View Report
TCRP Synthesis 126: Successful Practices and Training Initiatives to Reduce Bus Accidents and Incidents at Transit Agencies
TCRP Project J-7 Synthesis Topic SA-38 Now Available Successful Practices and Training Initiatives to Reduce Bus Accidents and Incidents at Transit Agencies The purpose of this study is to document successful practices and training initiatives, including bus operator training and retraining programs, that have been effective in reducing accidents and incidents. Recognizing that safety does…
FTA’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) Awareness Course
FTA’s Safety Management Systems (SMS) Awareness Course is available on the Transportation Safety Institute’s (TSI) Learning Management System (LMS). The course can be accessed by following these steps: Go to the TSI LMS located at www.tsi.dot.gov. Click on ‘Course Catalog’ Log into the TSI LMS Click ‘Search Catalog’ Type SMS Awareness into the search box…
TRB Journal No. 2539: Public Transportation: Volume 1, Urban and Rural Bus Service
This volume consists of 10 papers that explore public transportation, including: Optimization Model for Transit Signal Priority Under Conflicting Priority Requests; Identifying Factors That Increase Bus Accident Risk by Using Random Forests and Trip-Level Data; Test and Evaluation of Systems to Warn Pedestrians of Turning Buses; and Integrated Analysis System for Rural National Transit Database.…
Investigation of Wheeled Mobility Device Orientation and Movement on Streetcars and Light Rail Vehicles during Normal and Emergency Braking
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 19, Issue 4 (2016) by Andrea Mather, Katharine Hunter-Zaworski. Wheeled mobility devices have been accessing public transit vehicles for decades, and most new rail transit systems are accessible. This has increased ridership by people with disabilities. Side-facing orientation on rail transit vehicles often is considered an option to…
Journey towards World Class Stations: An Assessment of Platform Amenities at Allahabad Junction
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 19, Issue 4 (2016) by Geetika Goel, Piyali Ghosh, Mohit Kumar Ojha, Sumit Kumar. Passengers spend considerable time on railway platforms using amenities thereon; thus, making their stay pleasurable would result in passenger satisfaction for a rail journey. The Ministry of Railways in India has initiated plans for…
Exploring Transit’s Contribution to Livability in Rural Communities: Case Study of Valley City, ND, and Dickinson, ND
This study investigates the nexus of transit and rural livability by conducting case studies in the North Dakota communities of Valley City and Dickinson. While many factors influence the livability of a rural community, transit is an important contributor. For each of the two North Dakota communities considered, public/resident surveys, local transit rider surveys, and…
Rural Transit Fact Book 2016
The Rural Transit Fact Book serves as a national resource for statistics and information on rural transit in America. This publication includes rural demographic and travel behavior data as well as financial and operating statistics for agencies receiving section 5311 funding. In addition to national level data, statistics are presented by state, FTA region, tribe,…
FDOT’s Curbing Transit Operator Distracted Driving
The 2015 edition is now available. The objective of this project was to develop a turnkey training resource for transit agencies to help send a message to transit employees about the dangers associated with the use of a wireless communication device when performing safety-related duties. The training resource includes an instructional manual, a participant guide,…
Countermeasures for Use in Fatigue Risk Management
Work-related fatigue is a threat to safe transport, but little has been done to structure the complex array of possible mitigating measures that risk managers can consider. To improve the situation, we review the literature to identify and explain 15 countermeasures types, which we then group into five different hazard levels along a “fatigue risk…
Customer-Centric Transformation of Public Bus Supply in Rural Counties
Taking the perspective of a county administration, this contribution provides the quantity structures to motivate and develop customer-centric adjustment strategies of regional public bus systems, profoundly challenged by the deepening demographic and structural changes in rural parts of Germany. The sharp decrease in travel demand and modal share towards the private car versus the unchanged…
NCHRP 20-07/Task 378 [Active], Assessing Risk for Bridge Management
The objective of this research is to develop proposed AASHTO guidelines for a data-driven risk assessment at the bridge and structure level. At the minimum, the guidelines should consider risks from natural and man-made hazards and should be suitable for use in a bridge management system. View Report
TCRP Synthesis J-07/Topic SB-29 [Active (Synthesis)]: Customer Focused Service Guarantees and Transparency Practices
This synthesis will document the nature and prevalence of service guarantees among transit providers in North America. It will document the current state of the practice and benefits and implementation strategies, and identify challenges and lessons learned through a literature review, survey of representative transit agencies, and documentation of selected case examples/profiles. View Report
TCRP Synthesis J-07/Topic SA-41 [Active (Synthesis)]: Battery Electric Buses – State of the Practice
The goal of this study is to provide an overview of the current state of practice regarding the deployment of BEBs (i.e., planning, service, operations and maintenance). Information will be gathered by a literature review (e.g. agency reports, peer reviewed journal articles) and a survey of all the current transit systems that operate BEBs. Transit…
Improving Pathways to Transit for Persons with Disabilities
Persons with disabilities can achieve a greater degree of freedom when they have full access to a variety of transit modes, but this can only be achieved when the pathways to transit – the infrastructure and conditions in the built environment – allow full access to transit stops, stations, and vehicles. Since passage of the…
Effects of Speed, Curves, and Driver Behavior on Passive Securement Systems on Large Transit Buses
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 19, Issue 3 (2016) by Andrea Mather, Katharine Hunter-Zaworski. Wheeled mobility devices that are not secured properly on large transit vehicles pose risks to all passengers. The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of the effects of horizontal and vertical curves, speed, and driver behavior…
Analysis of Bus Fires Using Interpretative Structural Modeling
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 19, Issue 3 (2016) by Shumin Feng, Zhenning Li, Xianglong Sun. There has been a worldwide growing public concern regarding transit bus fires, mainly because of their association with severe loss of human life and property. As a result, numerous studies have been carried out to investigate the…
Securing Transportation Assets & Operations
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Highway and Motor Carrier (HMC) Section and the Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) collaborated with multiple HMC stakeholders to create this security guidance, which serves to enhance security awareness among the industry. This guidance offers useful information, tips, and tools to strengthen the industry’s resistance to disruption of its critical…
FTA Issues Transit Asset Management (TAM) Rule
Today, FTA issued a final rule requiring FTA grantees to develop management plans for their public transportation assets, including vehicles, facilities, equipment, and other infrastructure. The Transit Asset Management (TAM) final rule asks transit agencies to develop a strategic approach to maintain and improve capital assets. Every FTA-supported transit provider will be required to inventory…
FTA Launches Rail Nomenclature eLearning Course
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Transit Safety and Oversight (TSO) announces the availability of a new e-Learning course, “Rail Nomenclature,” on the TSO Safety Training and Resource website. This e-Learning offering will improve skills and awareness regarding the basic terminology and components used in rail transit systems. “Rail Nomenclature” includes detailed modules on…
TRB’s Conference Proceedings on the Web 20: Transportation Asset Management: Summary of the 11th National Conference
This conference summary explores the discussions that took place on July 10–12, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Conference presenters highlighted the advancements and improvements in transportation asset management programs at the state, regional, metropolitan, and local levels. Information on the innovative approaches used by transit and other modes was interwoven throughout the conference. View Report
Public Transportation Volume 2: Passenger Rail and Terminals
This compilation of papers covers several safety topics related to rail design and operations. View Report
TCRP Synthesis 123: Onboard Camera Applications for Buses
This report explores the current technologies, research, and opportunities for use. The report also provides examples of how surveillance systems are used to improve operations, safety, security, training, and customer satisfaction. View Report
Usability Evaluation of Access Ramps in Transit Buses: Preliminary Findings
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 19, Issue 2 (2016) by James A. Lenker, Uma Damle, Clive D’Souza, Victor Paquet, Terry Mashtare, Edward Steinfeld. The research literature on access ramps used in transit vehicles is undermined by inconsistent methodologies used across studies, thus providing an inconclusive evidence base for proposed Federal guidelines that would…
Effect of Electronic Device Use On Pedestrian Safety: A Literature Review
This literature review on the effect of electronic device use on pedestrian safety is part of a research project sponsored by the Office of Behavioral Safety Research in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). An extensive literature review was conducted and summarized into three sections: pedestrian distraction, driver distraction, and pedestrian-vehicle interactions. Within each…
Guidelines for New Bus Operator and Annual Refresher Training
Minimum Fixed Route Bus Operator Training Guidelines Minimum Annual Refresher Training Guidelines
TCRP Synthesis 120: Use of Automotive Service Excellence Tests Within Transit
This synthesis documents how the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) program is accepted and used within the transit bus maintenance community. The ASE program is nationally recognized as the standard industry credential provider for automotive professionals. The report explores how a cross section of transit bus maintenance personnel view the ASE certification program and summarizes their…
APTA Safety Management System Manual – Public Passenger Transportation Systems
This manual reflects current thought on the best practices to employ in public transportation safety and security and the evolution from the long standing System Safety Program process, defined in the System Safety Program Plan (SSPP). This process was initially developed by NASA and the Department of Defense. The impetus for the development of a…
“First Observer” Training Program
TSA’s “First Observer” training program is a voluntary program that provides transportation professionals with training on effectively observing, assessing and reporting suspicious individuals, vehicles, packages and objects. https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/firstobserver It is a series of YouTube videos accessed via the link below. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXWway_rv-jVtdd02SaLcFxo3Rbxx7uho While this is titled for OTRB drivers, it has SIGNIFICANT applicability to our transit…
2016: Security Guidance Based On Recent Terrorist Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP)
Guidance from TSA Information on Tuesday’s attack targeting the Zaventem International Airport and Maelbeek Metro Station in Brussels, Belgium, continues to emerge. Already, reports indicate that the perpetrators involved in the attacks exhibited a number of terrorist tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) that are consistent with other recent incidents. Recognition of these TTPs will inform…
FRA Rolls Out New Railroad Crossing and Trespassing Website to Increase Rail Safety
FRA Rolls Out New Railroad Crossing and Trespassing Website to Increase Rail Safety Part of agency’s effort to increase education of railroad crossing safety, reduce fatalities WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today launched a redesigned website to serve as a one-stop shop to help drivers, pedestrians, and law…
Federal Transit Administration Announces Final Rule Strengthening State Safety Oversight of Rail Transit Systems
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a final rule that significantly strengthens state safety oversight and enforcement authority to prevent and mitigate accidents and incidents on rail transit systems. “With the more rigorous and effective state safety oversight required by this final rule and federal law, transit systems across the nation…
Introduction to APTA Safety Management System Components
Join us for a webinar on Mar 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM EDT. This series of webinars is intended to familiarize APTA members with the new Safety Management Systems Manual and its related guidelines to bridge between the System Safety Programs that currently exist to the new FTA model of Safety Management Systems. In this…
NCHRP Research Report 833: Assessing, Coding, and Marking of Highway Structures in Emergency Situations, Volume 1: Research Overview
This document provides background information and an overview of the process, supporting manuals, and training materials used to help agencies assess highway structures in emergency situations. The three volumes of this report are to be used in conjunction with NCHRP Web-Only Document 223. View Report
NCHRP Research Report 833: Assessing, Coding, and Marking of Highway Structures in Emergency Situations, Volume 3: Coding and Marking Guidelines
This document is a field manual for responders who will evaluate highway structures in emergency situations. The volume presents specific assessment procedures for structure types and example photos of damage that can be used to rate the damage level of each element of a structure. The three volumes of this report are to be used…
NCHRP Research Report 833: Assessing, Coding, and Marking of Highway Structures in Emergency Situations, Volume 2: Assessment Process Manual
This document is intended for managers who will oversee emergency response situations. The volume addresses prioritization, coordination, communication, and redundancy within the assessment process. The volume also identifies technologies that could be used to assess highway structures in emergency situations. The three volumes of this report are to be used in conjunction with NCHRP Web-Only…
NCHRP Web-Only Document 223: Guidelines for Development of Smart Apps for Assessing, Coding, and Marking Highway Structures in Emergency Situations
This document provides guidance for developing mobile devices-based smart applications for preliminary damage assessment responders to use in emergency scenes for assessing, coding, and marking transportation structures. The primary intent of this manual is to facilitate communication between structural engineers, responders, inspectors, and the IT professionals who will develop and manage the application and associated…
Strategies to Prevent, Reduce and Mitigate Bus Collisions
This research is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation and is being conducted by the National Center for Transit Research at the Center for Urban Transportation Research. This report summarizes the data findings from profiling 17 Florida transit agencies in regards to rear-ended and side collisions. Site visits were conducted to get a better understanding…
Trends, Causal Analysis, and Recommendations from 14 Years of Ferry Accidents
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 19, Issue 1 (2016) by Abigail S. Golden, Roberta E. Weisbrod. Ferries and other passenger vessels provide a crucial mode of transportation for many in the developing world, especially in archipelagic nations like Indonesia and in river delta nations like Bangladesh. However, this dependence on passenger vessels coincides…
Webinar: Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Compliance Concerns
March 15, 2016 (11:00am – 12:00pm) This one-hour webinar session will identify the most common areas of concern discovered during the annual review of Florida transit agency drug and alcohol testing programs, performed as part of the MIS data entry verification and acceptance process. Presenter will provide solutions, best practices and technical assistance to ensure…
NCHRP Web-Only Document 215: Incident Command System (ICS) Training for Field-Level Transportation Supervisors and Staff
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 215: Incident Command System (ICS) Training for Field-Level Supervisors and Staff provides training materials and guidance for transportation field personnel to help their organizations operate safely in an emergency or traffic management event. This course is intended to review the basic ICS structures and terminologies aimed…
NCHRP Research Report 823: Guidelines for Certification and Management of Flexible Rockfall Protection Systems
This document provides advice on rockfall fence systems for transportation agencies. It also outlines data that are needed to evaluate the results of rockfall fence systems tested using the procedure recommended for acceptance. Finally, the report presents guidelines for asset management for rockfall fence systems to assist transportation agencies in incorporating these systems into existing…
NCHRP Web-Only Document 221, TCRP Web-Only Document 67: Protection of Transportation Infrastructure from Cyber Attacks: A Primer, 2015
The Cybersecurity Guide identifies effective practices that can be used to protect transportation systems from cyber events and to mitigate damage should an incident or breach occur. Those practices include cyber hygiene, access control, data security and information protection, boundary defense and network separation, configuration management, and monitoring/detection. The Guide is designed for all surface…
TCRP Web-Only Document 64: Performance Based Track Geometry Phase 2
This document explores a track inspection method known as performance based track geometry, and explores the potential for this method to be applied in transit to optimize maintenance and ride quality. View Report
TCRP Web-Only Document 65: Wheel Profile Maintenance Guidelines
This document examines current wheel profiles and maintenance practices, design and maintenance guidelines for rail transit operation, and the development of new wheel profiles for the Port Authority Trans-Hudson. View Report
TRB Journal No. 2532: Systems Resilience and Climate Change
This issue consists of 18 papers that examine resilience and climate change issues, as it relates to transportation, including: Resilience of Coastal Transportation Networks Faced with Extreme Climatic Events; Analysis of Transportation Network Vulnerability Under Flooding Disasters; Vulnerability Evaluation of Logistics Transportation Networks Under Seismic Disasters; Integrating Stochastic Failure of Road Network and Road Recovery…
TRB Journal No. 2516: Operator Education and Regulation; Safe Mobility for Older Persons; Traffic Law Enforcement; Alcohol and Other Drugs
The Journal of the Transportation Research Board No. 2516 has 11 papers concerned with operator education and regulation, safe mobility for older persons, traffic law enforcement, or alcohol and other drugs. View Report
TRB Journal No. 2531: Socioeconomics, Sustainability, Health, and Human Factors, 2015
The Journal of the Transportation Research Board No. 2531 has 22 papers that explore information related to society, economics, and policy in the transportation sector, including two specifically related to safety: Road Safety Improvement Program on Indian Reservations in North Dakota and South Dakota and Review of Tribal Transportation Safety. View Report
NCHRP 20-59 (30): Incident Command System (ICS) Training for Field Level Transportation Supervisors and Staff
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 215: Incident Command System (ICS) Training for Field-Level Supervisors and Staff provides training materials and guidance for transportation field personnel to help their organizations operate safely in an emergency or traffic management event. This course is intended to review the basic ICS structures and terminologies aimed…
Perceptions of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) at Australian Railway Stations
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 18, Issue 4 (2015) by Paul Cozens, Tiffany van der Linde. Personal safety and security are essential criteria for measuring the quality of public transport, and research has consistently demonstrated that crime and fear of crime affect levels of patronage. Although authorities throughout the world are implementing Crime…
Examination of Passenger Assaults on Bus Transit Systems
This research provides a status report on the state of the industry and current conditions under which Florida public transportation systems are operating, and the type, severity, and prevalence of passenger assaults on these systems. The project team will review the time of day assaults are most prevalent; type of services on which they occur…
APTA Security for Transit Systems Standards Program
These documents provided address security from multiple perspectives. Cyber covers best practices for electronic systems, Risk and Emergency Management cover creation and implementation of procedures and Infrastructure is for designing with security in mind. APTA
NCHRP Projects 20-59(14) (B) [Active]: Surface Transportation Security Research. Research Support for the AASHTO Special Committee on Transportation Security and Emergency Management (SCOTSEM)
This 2015 Fundamentals document synthesizes the recent federal and state guidance and research efforts from a state DOT perspective and lays out a set of capabilities for state DOTs that addresses all-hazards infrastructure protection, resilience, and emergency management and reflects national preparedness goals. The goal of this document is to provide a resource for state…
LeeTran Instructor’s Guide to Road Training Guidelines
https://ftson.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/LeeTran-Instructors-Guide-to-Road-Training-Guidelines.pdf
APTA Resources: Cyber Security
Ten Basic Cybersecurity Measures | Daily Cyper Report: 9/15/15 Below are the published APTA cybersecurity Recommended Practices for your reference. Published Documents Control and Communications Security APTA-SS-CCS-RP-001-10: Securing Control and Communications Systems in Transit Environments Part 1 APTA-SS-CCS-RP-002-13: Securing Control and Communications Systems in Rail Transit Environments Part 2 APTA-SS-CC-03-15: Securing Control and Communications Systems…
TRACS 14-01: Preventing and Mitigating Transit Worker Assaults in the Bus and Rail Transit Industry
Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS): 14-01 Report Preventing and Mitigating Transit Worker Assaults in the Bus and Rail Transit Industry
TRACS 14-02: Establishing a Fatigue Management Program for the Bus and Rail Transit Industry
Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS): 14-02 Report Establishing a Fatigue Management Program for the Bus and Rail Transit Industry
Innovations Deserving Expletory Analysis (IDEA) Report 74: Apparatus for Gap Management
This report explores an engineered solution to dynamically fill the gap between a commuter train and a high level platform. The solution includes safety provisions to avoid potential passenger accidents while eliminating the hazards and inconveniences of the gap. View Report
Barriers for Parents with Disabilities Traveling with Children on ADA Complementary Paratransit
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 18, Issue 3 (2015) by Jean Jacob, Megan Kirshbaum, Paul Preston. Ninety-two transit agencies from across the United States completed a survey of their policies and procedures that impact parents with disabilities traveling with minor children. Results indicate that certain policies make it difficult for parents to use…
TCRP Report 183: A Guidebook on Transit Supportive Roadway Strategies
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 183: A Guidebook on Transit-Supportive Roadway Strategies is a resource for transit and roadway agency staff seeking to improve bus speed and reliability on surface streets, while addressing the needs of other roadway users, including motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The guidebook identifies consistent and uniform strategies to help…
Space Coast Area Transit: Hurricane Evacuation Manual 2015
Space Coast Area Transit: Hurricane Evacuation Manual 2015
DHS/TSA Fact Sheets
Homeland Security Protective Security Advisor Program Homeland Security Infrastructure Protection Gateway Homeland Security Cyber Security Evaluation Tool Homeland Security Cyber Infrastructure Survey Tool Homeland Security Cyber Resilience Review
IDEA Transit Project 77: Development of a Prototype Retrofit Bumper for Improved Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) Safety
This report explores an LRV bumper design concept aimed at improving the crash compatibility of LRVs with struck vehicles and pedestrians in shared right-of-way environments. View Report
TCRP Report 185: Bus Operator Workstation Design for Improving Occupational Health and Safety
This report provides guidance to transit agencies and bus manufacturers as they integrate emerging technologies into current procurement practices and improve bus operator workstation design across the transit industry. View Report
Mind the Gap: Perceptions of Passenger Aggression and Train Car Supervision in a Commuter Rail System
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 18, Issue 2 (2015) by Nerea Marteache, Gisela Bichler, Janet Enriquez. Negative perceptions about the safety of a commuter rail system can act as a barrier to using public transportation. When operational issues increase rider tension (i.e., crowding or worsening on-time performance), or the management capabilities of conductors…
Use characteristics and demographics of rural transit riders: a case study in Tennessee
This paper studies the trip and personal characteristics of DFRT and DRT riders. It focuses on trip information, perceptions and especially the personal characteristics of the rural DFRT and DRT riders. A survey was performed to collect demographic and trip information of DFRT and DRT riders in Tennessee. Another survey was performed to collect demographic…
CTA O’Hare Accident Caused By Fatigue, Misplaced Track Braking System
The NTSB conducts thorough investigations (including root-cause analyses) of events – not simply stopping with the obvious. Abstract | Presentation
TCRP Report 175: Guidebook on Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services
This guidebook presents a wide array of engineering treatments to improve pedestrian safety for three types of public transit rail services: light rail, commuter rail, and streetcar. The Guidebook is a resource that addresses key pedestrian safety issues associated with public transit rail services. View Report
Rule Chapter 14-90, Florida Administrative Code: A Review for You – A Course for Bus Transit Drivers
Rule Chapter 14-90, Florida Administrative Code: A Review for You – A Course for Bus Transit Drivers computer based training (CBT) course was developed through a grant from and under the direction of the Florida Department of Transportation’s Office of Freight, Logistics, and Passenger Operations – Transit Office and was produced by the Center for…
TCRP Synthesis 114: Critical Incident Management and Clearance Practices for Rail Transit
This report summarizes the current state of the practice regarding incident response and identifies strategies for post-incident evaluations. View Report
TRB’s TCRP Synthesis 117: Better On-Street Bus Stops
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 117: Better On-Street Bus Stops explores major issues and successful approaches to address on-street bus stops from both the transit agency’s perspective and customer’s perspective. It documents the current state of the practice with regard to actions taken to address constraints and improvements to on-street bus stops. View…
NTSB Safety Report: Commercial Onboard Video Systems NTSB/SR-15/01
This safety report focuses on commercial vehicle onboard video systems as they relate to the evaluation of both driver and passenger behaviors and collision analysis. View Report
Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Issue Paper: Stopping Violence Against Transit Operators
Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Issue Paper: Stopping Violence Against Transit Operators View Article
NCHRP Synthesis 468: Interactive Training for All-Hazards Emergency Planning, Preparation, and Response for Maintenance and Operations Field Personnel
The goals of the NCHRP Synthesis 468 report were to identify interactive emergency training tools and sources appropriate for the M&O field personnel of state DOTs and PWs, identify obstacles to their implementation, and create a toolkit of relevant training and exercise information. The key focus for the synthesis is M&O field personnel, and the…
Transit IDEA Program: Improving Bus Transit On-Time Performance through the Use of AVL Data
The purpose of this project was to develop a set of desktop tools to analyze archived fixed-route transit automatic vehicle location (AVL) data for the purpose of measuring on-time performance and developing schedule times (running times) between timepoints. View full report
TCRP Report 174: Improving Safety Culture in Public Transportation
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 174: Improving Safety Culture in Public Transportation presents research on the definition of safety culture within public transportation, presents methods and tools for assessing safety culture, and provides strategies and guidelines that public transportation agencies may apply to initiate and build a program for improving safety culture. Background…
Evaluation of Automated Vehicle Technology for Transit
The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the state of automated vehicle (AV) technology in transit. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) wishes to know what AV technology is currently available that could be used in transit with an eye towards possible demonstration projects. It finds that the operational use of…
NTSB has just released its MOST WANTED List of Transportation Safety Improvements
The Most Wanted List represents the NTSB’s advocacy priorities. It is designed to increase awareness of, and support for, the most critical changes needed to reduce transportation accidents and save lives. View Most Wanted List
Sample Pre-Trip Inspection Forms
City of Key West Department of Transportation: First Shift | Second Shift Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) Okaloosa County Transit PalmTran Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Disclaimer: These sample forms are to be used as examples only. For the most current up-to-date forms please contact the agencies directly.
TRB Journal No. 2452: Socioeconomic, Health, and Human Factors
This volume consists of 4 articles that examine the impact of highway investment on the economy and employment across U.S. industrial sectors; the evolving connection of transit, agglomeration, and growth of high-technology business clusters; an analysis of socioeconomically disaggregated longitudinal employer–household dynamics data to understand commuting, job clusters, and travel burdens; and the effect of…
Use of Movable Bus Stop Loading Pads: Feasibility and Design Alternatives
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 4 (2014) by Nakin Suksawang, Priyanka Alluri, Albert Gan, Katrina Meneses, Fabian Cevallos, Kirolos Haleem, Dibakar Saha. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires bus stops to be accessible for individuals with disabilities. At a minimum, bus stops must have firm, stable, slip-resistant loading…
TRB Journal No. 2424: Intelligent Transportation Systems 2014, Volume 2: Connected Vehicles and Cooperative Systems
The Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2424 consists of eight papers that address a new snapshot generation protocol for travel-time estimation in a connected vehicle environment, the safety impacts of intervehicle warning information systems for moving hazards in connected vehicle environments, near-crash identification in a connected vehicle environment, and energy consumption reduction strategies…
A New Transit Safety Narrative
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 4 (2014) by Todd Litman. Public transportation is, overall, a relatively safe (low crash risk) and secure (low crime risk) transport mode. Transit travel has about one-tenth the traffic casualty (injury or death) rate as automobile travel, and residents of transit-oriented communities have about one fifth…
Guidelines for Bus Transit Stops in Highway Construction Work Zones
Fixed route transit systems provide a valuable transportation service for many of our citizens. As users depend on bus transit to access to the essentials of life, maintaining transit service is a critical issue. Given the extent of nationwide bus transit systems and a high level of highway construction activities, it is common to find…
TCRP Web-Only Document 63: Treatments Used at Pedestrian Crossings of Public Transit Rail Services
This report presents methods and research activities that informed the development of TCRP Report 175. The key research activity was visiting several public transit rail services crossings within select regions. These visits provided the opportunity to observe the challenges faced by pedestrians at public transit rail services crossings and included observations made during three site…
TCRP, IDEA Safety Project 20: Material with Improved Absorption of Collision Forces for Railroad Cars
This investigation examined the feasibility of using composite metal foams (CMF) to improve the crashworthiness of rail passenger cars. Metal foams integrated into the structure of passenger cars have the potential to significantly increase crash energy absorption. This would provide additional protection to occupants in collisions or derailments. View Report
TCRP D-15: Protection of Transportation Infrastructure from Cyber Attacks: A Primer
TRB’s Protection of Transportation Infrastructure from Cyber Attacks: A Primer provides transportation organizations with reference materials concerning cybersecurity concepts, guidelines, definitions, and standards. The primer is a joint product of two TRB Cooperative Research Programs, and is categorized as Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 67 and National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only…
NCHRP Research Results Digest (RRD) 397: Independent Cost Estimates for Design and Construction of Transit Facilities in Rural and Small Urban Areas
This report explores the distinct characteristics of rural and small urban area transit facilities and historical cost data. The report includes a prototype tool that may assist agencies with preparing conceptual estimates. View Report
TCRP Report 178: A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors
This report provides a proposed national program structure and plan for training and certifying transit bus and rail maintenance instructors. The report also provides best practices used in the public and private sectors to prepare and certify technical instructors, as well as the attributes and instructional delivery methods found most effective for maintenance instructors. View…
Safety Management Systems Presentation
Presentation from the 40th Annual FPTA Conference Tuesday, October 28, 204 at 10:00 am Description: FTA has established and will enforce Safety Management Systems (SMS) as its new safety regulatory framework. With a focus on safety policy, formal hazard identification methods, continuous safety risk assessment, effective safety reporting systems, and targeted safety training, SMS provides…
ESPA’s Fall Update: ADA Lift and Ramp Guide
Using wheelchair lifts and ramps on transit vehicles takes knowledge and practice on the part of operators and customers. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that transit operators provide lifts or ramps and securement systems for people using mobility devices. This guide explains how to serve customers under the ADA with a specific focus…
Transit 2014: Measuring Bus Drivers’ Occupational Stress Under Changing Working Conditions
Abstract Stress is an immense problem in modern society; approximately half of all occupational illnesses are directly or indirectly related to stress. The work of a bus driver is typically associated with high stress levels that negatively influence individual well-being as well as workforce management. The current study examined the impact of newly proposed working…
Fatigue Evaluation of the Increased Weight Limit on Transit Railway Bridges
The Mineta Transportation Institute has released a report that introduces an approach to ascertaining the remaining fatigue life of steel railway bridges, including the extent to which heavy freight cars affect critical locations near bridge supports. View Report
Security and Emergency Preparedness – Action Items for Transit Agencies
Security and Emergency Preparedness – Action Items for Transit Agencies, FTA, September 2014 View Document
A Transit Technology Selection Model
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 4 (2014) by Jeffrey M. Casello, Geoffrey McD. Lewis, Kevin Yeung, Deborah Santiago-Rodriguez. This paper presents an easy-to-use model to assist in technology selection for transit planning. The model computes annual costs for two technologies—currently BRT and LRT—for a system with characteristics specified by the user…
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Onboard Video Feedback Systems on Reducing Transit Collisions and Injuries
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 3 (2014) by Michael Litschi, Peter J. Haas. In the mid-2000s, public transit agencies began testing onboard video feedback systems on buses, which capture short video clips when triggered by an unusual event such as hard braking, a sharp turn, or impact with an object. The…
A Transit-Based Evacuation Model for Metropolitan Areas
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 3 (2014) by Xin Zhang, Gang-len Chang. This paper develops a decision-support model for transit-based evacuation planning occurring in metropolitan areas. The model consists of two modules executed in a sequential manner: the first deals with determining pick-up locations from candidate locations based on the spatial…
TCRP Report 169: Developing Best-Practice Guidelines for Improving Bus Operator Health and Retention
This report addresses some of the health and safety issues common throughout the transit industry, and describes approaches that transit organizations in the United States and Canada have taken to address health problems faced by transit employees. View Report
TCRP Report 171: Use of Mobility Devices on Paratransit Vehicles and Buses
This report describes the current and emerging issues which limit the use of mobility devices in paratransit vehicles and buses, and includes a guidance document to assist transit systems, manufacturers, and transit users in the implementation of potential accessible design and accommodation solutions for the short and long term. View Report
FTA Substance Abuse Training
As an adjunct to the FTA Drug and Alcohol National Conference, this one-day seminar is designed to provide essential facts and information to facilitate employers’ compliance with DOT’s 49 CFR Part 40 and FTA’s 49 CFR Part 655. While a high-level overview of the regulations will be discussed, this seminar will focus more on the…
Actions Preceding Collisions Involving Transit Motorbuses and Applicability of Connected Vehicle Solutions
The transit industry has always shown a great interest in the adoption of transformational safety technologies to improve the safety of its passengers and drivers, as well as all road users including pedestrians. Due to its unique characteristics and behaviors, such as vehicle size and frequent stops/starts, transit often deals with safety challenges and priorities…
FTA Report No. 0051: Bus Safety Study: A Report to Congress
Section 20021(b) of the Moving Ahead for Progress for the 21st Century (MAP-21) legislation requires the Secretary of Transportation to submit a report of the results of a “Bus Safety Study” to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives. …
Optimizing Skip-Stop Rail Transit Stopping Strategy using a Genetic Algorithm
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 2 (2014) by Young-Jae Lee, Shaghayegh Shariat, Keechoo Choi. With skip-stop rail transit operation, transit agencies can reduce their operating costs and fleet size and passengers can experience reduced in-transit travel times without extra track and technological improvement. However, since skip-stop operation does not serve all…
TCRP Report 172: Guidance for Developing a Transit Asset Management Plan
This report provides a process for developing a transit asset management plan used by transit agencies seeking to achieve a state of good repair (SGR). The report is accompanied by a Transit Asset Prioritization Tool (TAPT), which is composed of four spreadsheet models designed to assist transit agencies in predicting the future conditions of their…
CUTR Webcast: Evaluation of Rear-end Collisions and Identification of Possible Solutions
This session presented the findings from a study conducted to examine rear-end collisions between motorists and public transit buses. This study was initiated because some transit agencies were reporting alarming increases to rear end collisions. The study was designed to fulfill the following objectives: determine if rear-end collisions are increasing; conduct an assessment to ascertain the…
Distracted Driving Toolkit – NY Public Transit Association
The New York Public Transit Association, Transit Training Institute (TTI) and New York State Department of Transportation, Public Transportation Safety Board (PTSB) partnered in 2012 to educates public transit agencies about the dangers of distracted driving as it relates to the operation of public transit vehicles. This brochure defines distracted driving, encourages transit agencies to educate employees, and…
When “Workplace Safety” Means Safety on the Bus – A cross-functional way to mitigate aggressive passenger behavior
The prevalence of assaults on the bus, whether directed toward the transit operator or on-board customers, has increased to alarming levels. Fare challenges tend to be a tipping point for disputes that escalate, so what can we do in training and fare policy? What insights can we gain from a behavioral-based model? How do training,…
NCHRP Web-Only Document 206: Managing Catastrophic Transportation Emergencies: A Guide for Transportation Executives
Managing Catastrophic Transportation Emergencies: A Guide for Transportation Executives is a reference guide specifically designed for use by newly appointed executive-level leaders of transportation organizations. It has been written to provide executive decision makers with important leadership-level information about emergency management major event response and recovery. The guide is organized to first provide basic information…
Investigating Road Safety Impacts of Bus Priority Using Experimental Micro-Simulation Modeling
The safety implications of implementing bus lanes on road corridors remain unclear given that findings from previous research have been mixed. The authors recent research demonstrated improvements in road safety resulting from bus priority in Melbourne however causal factors for this effect remain to be explored. In this study, an experimental microscopic traffic simulation modelling…
TCRP Report 170: Establishing a National Transit Industry Rail Vehicle Technician Qualification Program— Building for Success
The program integrates national training standards, progressive classroom curricula and introductory courseware, on-the-job learning modules, an apprenticeship framework that combines well-designed sequences of learning, mentoring to support learners, and coordination of classroom and on-the-job learning. The qualification system also includes written and hands-on certification assessments to confirm that technicians have the practical knowledge and skills…
Engaging Transit Riders in Public Awareness Programs
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 17, Issue 1 (2014) by Renee Haider, Eduardo Martinez. In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the transit industry emerged as a leader in leveraging the value and power of the public’s “eyes and ears” to promote system security. Although a public awareness program is…
LeeTran Operating Procedures
LeeTran has provided a copy of their operating procedures, which include topics such as: Security Driver Operation Procedures Emergency Procedures Accidents and Incidents Recordable Accidents and Incidents/Accident Review Committee Robbery Procedures Safety Awards Mobile Communication Devices Reporting Traffic Violations Distracted Driving Complete LeeTran Policies and Procedures (Updated: 10-4-13)
Resources for Incident Management of Bomb Threats
The following links on the page will direct you to several resources which may be useful in the development of operating procedures and increasing situational awareness in the events of a bomb threat. Sarasota County Area Transit has a documented an operating procedure for bomb threats. A bomb threat is any written or oral communication…
LeeTran – COPSTAR Presentation
LeeTran has shared a presentation titled COPSTAR, which describes the ways in which the transit agency and law enforcement work together to secure the system. View Presentation
Transit Retrofit Safety Package – Leveraging DSRC for Transit Safety
This paper describes how a team led by Battelle, on behalf of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration and Federal Transit Administration, has deployed 5 collision avoidance applications on University of Michigan transit buses, including two applications—one for pedestrian crosswalks and one for vehicles cutting in front of transit buses at stops—identified as high-priority concerns…
Drivers’ Lane-Changing Behavior at Bus Stops on Three Lane Roadways
Drivers’ lane changing violations at a curbside bus stop on an undivided three-lane roadway were investigated. Logit models were developed to determine contributing factors to the violations. Bicycle lane presence, low opposing traffic volume and longer bus dwell time at a bus stop were associated with a higher probability of a lane changing violation by…
Bus Operator Safety Critical Issues Examination and Model Practices
In this study, researchers at the National Center for Transit Research performed a multi-topic comprehensive examination of bus operator-related critical safety and personal security issues. The goals of this research effort were to: Identify and discuss the organizational reporting structure related to safety departments and/or function within each of the 30 fixed route public transit…
Safety Implications of Transit Operator Schedule Policies – Phase II
The Phase II of the Florida Transit research that was aimed at investigating the need to track external driving hours by transit operators. The same methodology used for Phase I was used with additional analysis on external driving hours. It is interesting to note that the findings of Phase II were in agreement with the…
TCRP IDEA Project 68: Light Rail Transit/Street Grade Crossing Safety System
The concept investigated and being developed in this project is active, adaptive, alert, and improves recording of crossing incidents for the approaching Light Rail Vehicle (LRV) its operator and the pedestrian, motorist, and/or worker at the crossing. View Report
NCHRP Report 777: A Guide to Regional Transportation Planning for Disasters, Emergencies, and Significant Events
NCHRP Report 777: A Guide to Regional Transportation Planning for Disasters, Emergencies, and Significant Events helps transportation stakeholders in the public and private sectors, as well as non-transportation stakeholders, such as emergency managers and first responders, better understand transportation’s important role in planning for multijurisdictional disasters, emergencies, and major events. The guide sets out foundational…
TRB Journal No. 2354: Travel Surveys; Asset Management; and Freight Data 2013
This volume contains 13 papers that discuss estimation bias and efficiency for pseudopanel data in travel demand analysis; quantification of key errors in household travel surveys; new measures for detection of data quality risks in mobility panel surveys; and noncoverage errors in travel surveys due to mobile phone–only households. View Report
TRB Journal No. 2376: Emergency Evacuation and System Vulnerabilities 2013
This volume consists of 9 papers that explore evacuation response; transportation resource coordination for multimodal evacuation planning; evacuee route choice behavior; no notice evacuation management; evacuation demand models; bus transit driver availability for effective emergency evacuation; transit evacuation in Honolulu, Hawaii; roundabout performance during evacuations; and transportation system vulnerabilities. View Report
TRB Journal No. 2352: Transit 2013, Volume 3
The Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2352 consists of 17 papers that explore implementation costs of electric transit bus systems; improving rail station access with feeder bus network optimization and mode shifts; where to implement bus signal priority in mixed-mode operations; and road safety benefits from bus priority. View Report
Safety/TAM ANPRM for Medium and Large Transit Systems (Webinar)
December 5, 2013, 2:00-3:30pm (EST) Description: This webcast will highlight passages and questions of the ANPRM that may be of particular interest to medium and large transit systems. PowerPoint Presentation
Safety and Security Oversight Program Fixed Guideway Transportation Systems
Rule Chapter 14-15.017, Florida Administrative Code references the Safety and Security Oversight Program Standards Manual for Fixed Guideway Transportation Systems. Additional guidance is available on the FDOT Fixed Guideway Transportation System Online SSO Document Management System.
Safety/TAM ANPRM Webinar for Small Transit Systems (Webinar)
December 3, 2013, 1:00-2:00pm (EST) Description: This webcast will identify specific sections of the ANPRM as they relate to small transit systems. PowerPoint Presentation
TCRP Report 180: Policing and Security Practices for Small- and Medium-Sized Public Transit Systems
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 180: Policing and Security Practices for Small- and Medium-Sized Public Transit Systems explores the current state of practice and identifies and responds to the specific challenges and issues associated with the security of small- and medium-sized transit agencies. The report follows the five stages of protection activity (prevention,…
TCRP Transit IDEA J-04/IDEA 56: Detection of Explosives and Weapons in Transit Systems
Transportation systems are very vulnerable to terrorist threats. The tragic attacks in Madrid, London, and Mumbai brought the horror of this vulnerability home. The early detection of explosives and other weapons in rail transit systems has the potential to save lives by alerting security personnel to the presence of such threats. With this information, transit…
NCHRP 20-59 (44): A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 769: A Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response is designed to assist transportation organizations as they prepare for pandemics and other infectious diseases such as seasonal flu. Addressing decision-making challenges in pandemic response in the transportation context is a multi-dimensional task, involving not only transportation/transit…
NHTSA Announces Final Rule Requiring Seat Belts on Motorcoaches
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today issued a final rule requiring lap and shoulder seat belts for each passenger and driver seat on new motorcoaches and other large buses. This new rule enhances the safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing the risk of fatalities and serious…
TCRP Legal Research Digest 45: Transit Public-Private Partnerships: Legal Issues
This digest identifies the legal issues associated with negotiating public-private partnership (PPP) agreements for transit projects. The digest explores the rationale for using PPP, innovative contracting and financing approaches offered by PPPs, and transfer of risks from the public to the private sector through PPPs. View Report
TCRP Synthesis 108: Transit Bus Operator Distraction Policies
The objective of this synthesis is to provide transit agencies with information about transit bus operator distraction policies and outcomes to aid them in developing their own policies and programs to address and prevent distracted driving incidents. Transit bus operations continue to be an increasingly “distracted” occupation, based on a variety of conditions, and further…
TCRP Report 160, Paratransit Emergency Preparedness and Operations Handbook
TCRP Report 160: Paratransit Emergency Preparedness and Operations Handbook provides paratransit service providers with guidance, strategies, tools, and resources to plan and prepare for, respond to, and recover from a range of emergencies. The guidance has applicability to urban, suburban, rural, and tribal paratransit operating environments. Guidance is directed to in-house paratransit operations and to…
TCRP J-05, Topic 15-02: Legal Issues in Public Transit Emergency Planning and Operation
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Legal Research Digest 44: Legal Issues in Public Transit Emergency Planning and Operation synthesizes and assesses laws, regulations, and guidance from the transit and homeland security industries as a means to help transit agencies better understand their legal responsibilities with respect to emergency planning and operational issues. One of…
CUTR Webcast: Qualitative Analysis of Bus Simulator Training on Transit Incidents
A Qualitative Analysis of Bus Simulator Training on Transit Incidents The purpose of this research was to track and observe three Florida public transit agencies as they incorporated and integrated computer-based transit bus simulators into their existing bus operator training programs. In addition to the three Florida case study agencies, four transit agencies outside Florida…
www.safety.data.gov
Safety.data.gov is a new open government initiative to increase awareness of and deepening insights into our Nation’s public safety activities. Download the presentation to learn more.
Accessing Transit: Design Handbook for Florida Bus Passenger Facilities (Version III)
The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance to state and local governments and transit agencies in the design, location, and installation of transit facilities consistent with state and federal laws, regulations, and best practices. The FDOT Public Transit Office initially prepared and published Version I of the handbook in 2004, and the last…
TRB Journal No. 2327: School Transportation; Operator Education and Regulation; and Traffic Law Enforcement 2013
The Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2327 consists of seven papers that explore mode choices to school; school travel routes and their impacts on safety and mode choices; self-reported driving behaviors; new driver safety; automatic license plate recognition; freeway operations and capacity; and red light camera systems. View Report
TRB Journal No. 2356: Traffic Signal Systems 2013, Volume 2
The Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2356 contains 14 papers that review an intelligent dilemma-zone protection system for a high-speed rural intersection; queue length under connected vehicle technology; and, transit priority strategies for multiple routes under headway-based operations. View Report
TCRP Synthesis 107: Rail Transit Track Inspection Practices
As there are no actual rail track safety or maintenance standards promulgated for transit, this synthesis offers state-of-the-practice information across a range of older and newer U.S. rail transit agencies on track inspection practices and policies. The goal is to provide rail transit agencies with a knowledge base of information that might help them to…
Eliminating Bus Stops: Evaluating Changes in Operations, Emissions and Coverage
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 16, Issue 2 (2013) by Ranjay M. Shrestha, Edmund J. Zolnik. Bus systems in the United States are unattractive to many potential riders because of their lack of efficiency, especially with regard to travel time. One of the reasons services are not more efficient has to do with…
Analysis of Movable Bus Stop Boarding and Alighting Areas
This study explored the feasibility of using movable and reusable boarding and alighting (B&A) pads at bus stops. Potential design alternatives in terms of materials and structural support for these pads were evaluated. The review focused on the existing and alternative design materials, especially in applications other than for transit purposes, which could potentially replace…
TCRP Report 162: Building a Sustainable Workforce in the Public Transportation Industry—A Systems Approach
This guidebook addresses contemporary issues in workforce development, retention, and attraction, and public transportation image management. View Report
Impaired Vigilance and Increased Accident Rate in Public Transport Operators in Associated with Sleep Disorders
Objectives: Sleep disturbances can impair alertness and neurocognitive performance and increase the risk of falling asleep at the wheel. The authors investigated the prevalence of sleep disorders among public transport operators (PTOs) and assessed the interventional effects on hypersomnolence and neurocognitive function in those diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: Overnight polygraphy and questionnaire…
An Analysis of Special Needs Student Busing
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 16, Issue 1 (2013) by Behrooz Kamali, Scott J. Mason, Edward A. Pohl. Population growth can lead to public school capacity issues as well as increased school bus utilization, which, in turn, can result in longer school bus transport times for regular and special needs students. Special needs…
Factors Influencing Young Peoples’ Perceptions of Personal Safety on Public Transport
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 16, Issue 1 (2013) by Graham Currie, Alexa Delbosc, Sarah Mahmoud. This paper explores factors influencing perceptions of safety on public transport using an empirical analysis of a survey of young people in Melbourne, Australia. In the literature, some studies disagree as to the extent to which perceptions…
TCRP A-36: Command-Level Decision Making for Transportation Emergency Managers
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Web-Only Document 60 and National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web -Only Document 200: Command-Level Decision Making for Transit Emergency Managers describes a Transit Emergency Response Application (TERA) that is designed to train transit command-level decision makers through simulation guided experiential learning. TERA provides training and exercise for command-level…
Impacts of the Cedar Avenue Driver Assist System on Bus Shoulder Operations
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 16, Issue 1 (2013) by Brian Pessaro. This paper summarizes the first comprehensive evaluation of vehicle assist and automation (VAA) technology in bus revenue service by a U.S. transit agency. The technology in question is a GPS-based technology suite used by the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority for vehicle…
ACRP Legal Research Digest 19: Legal Issues Related to Developing Safety Management Systems and Safety Risk Management at U.S. Airports
This report explores the basics of a safety management systems (SMS); discusses the concept of a “just culture;” highlights efforts to implement SMS at airports and in other industries such as maritime, patient safety, and oil and gas; examines theories under which SMS could lead to increased liability for airports; and provides a review of…
IDEA Project 57: Independent Wheelchair Securement
The goal of this project was to develop an aisle-side containment device to enable users of wheelchairs to safely and independently use rear-facing containment on large buses, in lieu of the current standard, a four-point tie-down wheelchair securement system. View Report
TCRP Web-Only Document 52: Performance Based Track Geometry Phase 1
This document explores ride quality literature, vehicle characterization and on-track ride quality testing, track geometry measures, and NUCARS’ (a railway multi-body dynamics computer program) modeling and simulation capabilities. View Report
Evaluation of Camera-Based Systems to Reduce Transit Bus Side Collisions – Phase II
The sideview camera system has been shown to eliminate blind zones by providing a view to the driver in real time. In order to provide the best integration of these systems, an integrated camera-mirror system (hybrid system) was developed and tested. Traditional aftermarket systems utilize wide-angle cameras, which provide up to 100-degree horizontal field of…
CTBSSP Synthesis 24: Distracted Driving Countermeasures for Commercial Vehicles
This report examines driving distractions, as well as any protective (safety-enhancing) effects of particular devices. Distracted driving for commercial drivers is defined as attending to tasks not directly related to operating the vehicle. View Report
TCRP Synthesis 97: Improving Bus Transit Safety Through Rewards and Discipline
This report addresses the practices and experiences of public transit agencies in applying both corrective actions and rewards to recognize, motivate, and reinforce a safety culture within their organizations. View Report
CTBSSP Synthesis 22: Safety Management in Small Motor Carriers
This report explores small motor carriers’ strengths and weaknesses in safety management, and identifies potentially effective safety practices. View Report
TCRP Synthesis 95: Practices for Wayside Rail Transit Worker Protection
This synthesis is designed to highlight knowledge, practice, lessons learned, and gaps in information related to wayside rail transit worker protection programs. View Report
TCRP Report 57: Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit
The handbook provides guidelines and descriptions for the design of various types of light rail transit track. The Handbook includes chapters on vehicles, alignment, track structures, track components, special trackwork, aerial structure/bridges, corrosion control, noise and vibration, signals, and traction power. These chapters provide insight into considerations that affect track design and require interface coordination. …
CTBSSP Synthesis 23: Operator Drug- and Alcohol-Testing Across Modes
This report explores practices used to deter drug and alcohol use among operators within the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) regulated community. The report includes a brief history of the transportation workplace drug- and alcohol-testing program, the general approach, the reasons for testing, some of the issues that impact the validity of the tests, and…
CTBSSP Synthesis 21: Driver Selection Tests and Measurement
This report synthesizes information on the use of tests, measurements, and other assessment methods used by commercial truck and bus companies in the driver selection process. The report also identifies and describes driver selection methods and instruments and their potential usefulness in predicting driver crash risk. View Report
Bus Operator Perceptions of Safety Risks
This paper presents the results of a survey of TriMet bus operators addressing safety risks in their assigned work. Surveyed risk factors were organized into five categories: vehicle design and condition; route layout; operating conditions; fatigue; an d stress. Operators perceived fatigue and stress to be the greatest sources of safety risk, with split shifts,…
NCHRP 20-59 (33): A Pre-Event Recovery Planning Guide for Transportation
TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report 753: A Pre-Event Recovery Planning Guide for Transportation is designed to help transportation owners and operators in their efforts to plan for recovery prior to the occurrence of an event that impacts transportation systems. The guide includes tools and resources to assist in both pre-planning for recovery…
Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Public Transit Bus Driver Distraction
This paper examines the efficacy of a multivariate statistical modeling approach to analyze public transit bus driver distraction data collected through a self-administered driver survey. The distracting activities were classified into four risk zones according to distraction risk indices derived from distracting ratings, distracting durations, and driver perception of risks. A multinomial logistic regression model…
CUTR Webcast: Practices to Protect Bus Operators from Passenger Assaults
This webcast provides an overview of the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 93 report Practices to Protect Bus Operators from Passenger Assaults. Download a PDF copy of the presentation and the TCRP Synthesis 93 final report. Presenters: Yuko Nakanishi, Principal and Founder, Nakanishi Research and Consulting, LLC and Lieutenant William Fleming, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority View…
TCRP Web-Only Document 59: Using Pictograms to Make Transit Easier to Navigate for Customers with Communication Barriers
This is an evidence-based report on efforts to determine if pictograms can be effective in communicating emergency information and behavioral modification in a transit emergency to people with communication challenges. This report distills efforts that have gone into developing and implementing pictograms in a variety of settings, including transit, transportation, health, manufacturing, and hospitality. View…
CUTR Webcast: Improving Bus Transit Safety through Rewards and Discipline
This webcast provides an overview of the recently completed Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis 97 report Improving Bus Transit Safety Through Rewards and Discipline – A Synthesis of Transit Practice. The webcast presentation addresses current practices and experiences of public transit agencies in applying both corrective actions and rewards to recognize, motivate, and reinforce…
TCRP Report 95: Transit Scheduling and Frequencies
The third edition Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes Handbook provides comprehensive information on travel demand effects of alternative urban transportation policies, operating approaches and systems, and built environment options, by building upon, expanding, and selectively replacing the earlier editions to provide a contemporary assessment of the experience and insights gained from the application and…
TCRP Synthesis 100: Elevator and Escalator Maintenance and Safety Practices
The purpose of this synthesis is to document highly specialized elevator/escalator (El/Es) maintenance, safety practices, and passenger communication efforts at five U.S. transit agencies: MARTA (Atlanta, Georgia), NYCTA (New York City), SEPTA (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), CTA (Chicago, Illinois), and BART (San Francisco, California). View Report
HMCRP-HM-11: Improving Local Community Recovery from Disastrous Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents
TRB’s Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program (HMCRP) Report 9: A Compendium of Best Practices and Lessons Learned for Improving Local Community Recovery from Disastrous Hazardous Materials Transportation Incidents explores how local communities can develop or improve recovery planning and operations in response to hazardous materials transportation incidents. View Report
NCHRP 20-59 (32): A Transportation Guide for All-Hazards Evacuation
The objective of this research is to develop an all-hazards emergency evacuation guide for transportation and emergency management agencies that integrates the broad community of resources that are necessary to plan, train, exercise, and execute evacuations. The primary audiences are those at the state and local level who are responsible for planning (and execution or…
An Analysis of Transit Bus Driver Distraction Using Multinomial Logistic
Kelwyn A. D’Souza, Hampton University Sharad K. Maheshwari, Hampton University This paper explores the problem of distracted driving at a regional bus transit agency to identify the sources of distraction and provide an understanding of factors responsible for driver distraction. A risk range system was developed to classify the distracting activities into four risk zones.…
Assessment of Surface Transportation Security Training Needs and Delivery Preferences
Journal of Public Transportation Article in Volume 14, Issue 4 (2011) by Karen W. Lowrie, Judy A. Shaw, and Michael R. Greenberg America’s surface transportation system features long and inter-connected routes and open access to stations and vehicles, making the system vulnerable to terrorist attack. While a variety of security-related training products exist for the transportation sector,…
CTBSSP Synthesis 19: Effects of Psychoactive Chemicals on Commercial Driver Health and Performance: Stimulants, Hypnotics, Nutritional, and Other Supplements
This report identifies available information and research gaps relating to the use of chemical substances by commercial drivers and is intended to provide up-to-date information to inform decision makers about the near-, mid-, and long-range planning needs for research and educational outreach programs. View Report
TRB Journal No. 2216: Transit 2011, Volume 1
This issue contains 19 papers concerned with transit related topics. One specific safety related topic includes measurement of travel fatigue. View Report
TCRP Synthesis Report 88: Strollers, Carts, and Other Large Items on Buses and Trains
This report documents the state of the practice of transit agencies managing capacity on vehicles carrying customers with large items. The synthesis also includes a discussion of vehicle designs to accommodate these various large items. View Report
CTBSSP Synthesis 20: Potential Safety Benefits of Motor Carrier Operational Efficiencies
This report addresses risk avoidance strategies and highlights their use and perceived safety effects. The report is designed to assist motor carriers in deploying their vehicles in ways that may minimize crash risk. View Report
REACT – Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Testing Decision Training for FTA Covered Supervisors
REACT is a two part supervisor training series in DVD format that aids transit systems in exceeding the FTA minimum supervisor training requirements delineated in 49 CFR Part 655.14(b). REACT Part 1 addresses Reasonable Suspicion Drug and Alcohol Testing Decision Training and is intended to be delivered in a classroom setting using the REACT Instructor’s…
TCRP Synthesis 93: Practices to Protect Bus Operators from Passenger Assault
This report highlights practices and policies implemented by transit agencies to deter and mitigate assaults on bus operators. View Report
TCRP Report 155: Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit, Second Edition
The report considers the characteristics and interfaces of vehicle wheels and rail, tracks and wheel gauges, rail sections, alignments, speeds, and track moduli. The report includes chapters on vehicles, alignment, track structures, track components, special track work, aerial structures/ bridges, corrosion control, noise and vibration, signals, traction power, and the integration of LRT track into…
TCRP Web-only Document 53: Operation of Light Rail Transit through Ungated Crossings at Speeds over 35 MPH
This report presents the findings of a micro-simulation modeling study that explored the impacts of higher light rail vehicle speeds on intersection safety. View Report
USDOT’s Curbing Transit Employee Distracted Driving
Client: U.S. Department of Transportation, FTA This is a self-paced, computer based training course was developed to raise the awareness of public transportation professionals of the effects of distracted driving and reduce the risk of distracted driving. Peter Rogoff, FTA Administrator recorded a special public service announcement specifically for the training program which is imbedded…
TCRP Report 150: Communication with Vulnerable Populations: A Transportation and Emergency Management Toolkit
This report describes how to create a communication process to reach vulnerable populations regarding their transportation options in emergencies. The toolkit provides a guiding framework and tools for constructing a scalable, adaptable communication process built on a network of agencies from public, private, and nonprofit sectors. View Report