Safety & Security
Sign up for email updates on this topic.Safety is the U.S. Department of Transportation's highest priority. In support of U.S. DOT's emphasis on safety, the goal of FTA's Safety and Security Program is to achieve the highest practical level of safety and security for all modes of transit. In order to protect passengers, employees, revenues, and property, all transit systems are encouraged to develop and implement a proactive system safety program plan. FTA supports these efforts by developing guidelines and best practices, providing training and by performing system safety analyses and reviews.
On December 8, 2009, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff joined Secretary Ray LaHood at a hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, to discuss the Federal role in rail transit safety. The Secretary announced the Administration's Information on the Public Transportation Safety Program Act of 2009, a new transit safety bill to ensure a high and standard level of safety across all rail transit systems. The measure would effectively eliminate the statutory prohibition against imposing such broad safety standards that has been in place since 1965. For more information on this hearing, as well as the proposed legislation, please view FTA's December 8, 2009 News Release.
Important transit safety and security documents and initiatives include:
- Rail Transit Safety Initiative, described in the Administration's legislative proposal transmitted to Congress
- Regulatory requirements for state oversight of rail fixed guideway system safety
- Voluntary guidance for bus safety and security
- Emergency management information for the transit industry
- Education and training courses in all aspects of safety and security
- Policies and procedural requirements to promote a public transit industry free of drugs and alcohol
- 2012 Right of Way Fatality and Trespass Prevention Workshop
You may also explore and register for a variety of FTA-sponsored training courses and workshops developed for transit agency employees who work in the field of transit safety and security.
