Transit Bus Safety - Overview and Review

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1 Transit Bus Safety Oversight Program Federal Transit Administration NCPTA Conference April 7, 2014 Presenter: Ream Lazaro

2 Bus Safety Oversight Program Overview Slide 2

3 Bus Program Background Voluntary oversight program Developed in collaboration with industry partners Objective improve safety for passengers, employees, and all that share roadways with transit buses Initial focus on small urban and rural bus transit systems Now includes large urban bus transit systems and bus rapid transit (BRT) Slide 3

4 Bus Program Origins NTSB recommendations - NTSB investigations determined there were substantial safety deficiencies and insufficient oversight in bus transit industry - Issued recommendations in 1998 to encourage creation of safety standards and practices - FTA responded with Model Program Slide 4

5 Bus Program Partners MOU signed by Bus Program Partners in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) - American Assoc. of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) - American Public Transportation Assoc. (APTA) - Community Transportation Assoc. of America (CTAA) MOU defined core and enhanced elements of model program Slide 5

6 Major Bus Program Elements Resource website Voluntary onsite reviews Orientation seminars Ongoing outreach Voluntary Onsite Reviews State DOT Orientation Seminars Bus Safety Program Website Industry Coordination and Outreach Slide 6

7 Resource Website Library of 1300 resources Self-assessment tool Helps transit agencies identify safety gaps Case studies Support emergency planning and decisionmaking Safety news and events Registering gets you more Currently in redesign E-learning modules Slide 7

8 Voluntary Onsite Reviews Scheduled by requests from transit agencies, state DOTs, FTA regions Onsite for 1 3 days Voluntary in nature and designed to provide safety guidance Post site visit report and technical assistance safety materials - Also shared with key FTA regional or DOT stakeholders Slide 8

9 Orientation Seminars Co-sponsored by state DOTs / state transit associations Publicizes Bus Program / encourages attendees to use Program resources Provides safety training, guidance, technical assistance Demonstrates Bus Program website Allows dialogue on transit safety needs Slide 9

10 Program Outreach Initiatives include: - Presentations o CTAA EXPOs o FTA regional conferences o National Rural Conferences o MTAP/SCOPT annual meetings o Tribal transit conferences o State transit association conferences - Blast s - Panels at conferences - Outreach to transit associations Slide 10

11 MAP-21 and SMS Slide 11

12 MAP-21 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century Act signed into law July 2012 Includes Section 5329 Public Transportation Safety Program Creates a national safety program National Safety Plan Transit Agency Safety Plan Safety Certification Training Program State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program (rail) Slide 12

13 The National Safety Program The National Safety Program includes four distinct components, three of which are: National Safety Plan 49 U.S.C. 5329(b) Establishes SMS as foundation for FTA s safety regulatory framework Includes the definition of State of Good Repair and safety performance criteria Transit Agency Safety Plan 49 U.S.C 5329(d) Introduces SMS into practice Provides agencies with authority to set performance targets for safety and SGR based on requirements set out in the National Safety Plan Safety Certification Training Program 49 U.S.C. 5329(c) Introduces SMS concepts Improves technical competencies of safety oversight professionals Slide 13

14 National Safety Plan At a minimum, the National Safety Plan will include: Safety performance criteria Definition of State of Good Repair A public transportation safety certification program Minimum vehicle standards Data analysis will be used to identify national trends that suggest: gaps in safety performance common hazards leading practices for risk control Slide 14

15 Safety Performance Criteria FTA will set safety performance criteria for all modes Criteria will support analysis and risk evaluation As a result, transit agencies will become more proactive in safety risk management Slide 15

16 Minimum Vehicle Safety Standards FTA s priority is to issue a proposed rule to establish a bus testing pass/fail standard Rule will determine usage of FTA funds for bus purchase Performance standards define an end result, but allow flexibility on how that result is achieved Congress did not intend FTA to replicate a regulatory model, with highly prescriptive regulations FTA will consider leading industry practices and National Transit Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations Slide 16

17 Transit Agency Safety Plan The Transit Agency Safety Plan will demonstrate: Compliance with the National Safety Plan Implementation of SMS; scalable and flexible Agencies must establish and certify this comprehensive plan within a year of the final rule States may draft and certify Agency Safety Plans for rural areas and for small public transportation providers in urban areas Slide 17

18 Safety Certification Training Program The Safety Certification Training Program focuses on: Competencies and training outcomes Certification training for those responsible for the safety oversight of rail transit, as an initial effort Interim Provisions will soon be published in Federal Register Slide 18

19 Safety Management Systems (SMS) Published policy to adopt SMS in May 2013 Essential building blocks of a successful SMS already exist Each transit agency to develop processes to implement SMS Safety Management System is: Scalable and flexible to support transit systems of all sizes Proactive method for managing system safety A way to ensure data-driven safety decision making Focused on the overall safety performance, not compliance with regulation and requirements Slide 19

20 SMS Framework 1. Safety Management Policy 2. Safety Risk Management 3. Safety Assurance 4. Safety Promotion Slide 20

21 Safety Management Policy Accountable Executive Roles and responsibilities Management commitment Integration with existing programs Documentation Slide 21

22 Safety Risk Management Hazard identification and analysis Risk assessment and mitigation Slide 22

23 Safety Assurance Safety performance monitoring Management of change Continuous SMS improvement Slide 23

24 Safety Promotion Competencies and training Safety communication Slide 24

25 SMS Summary SMS is scalable and flexible and recognizes that one size does not fit all All transit agencies, regardless of mode, size or operating characteristics will be required to develop Transit Agency Safety Plans States may help develop and certify Transit Agency Safety Plans for Small Providers FTA is developing bus testing pass/fail standards Slide 25

26 4 questions that SMS will facilitate answering What is most likely to be the cause of your next accident or serious incident? How do you know that? What are you doing about it? Is it working? Slide 26

27 The Bus Program and MAP-21 Bus Program enters into transition period Moving from totally voluntary guidance and technical assistance program to include safety oversight Provide information on and guide transit industry through SMS implementation process Continue orientation seminars / presentations Continue onsite safety reviews Redesigned website Slide 27

28 Bus industry safety needs, general strengths, and safety challenges Illuminated through Orientation Seminars, onsite reviews, and website downloads Slide 28

29 Bus Program identification of safety needs Gathered information from hundreds of transit managers through seminars, onsite reviews, and resource website communications Developed documented database of bus safety challenges based on onsite review findings Accessed safety information from NTD Identified major cross-cutting transit bus safety industry strengths and needs/gaps Slide 29

30 Crosscutting Industry Safety Strengths Slide 30

31 Cross-cutting industry safety strengths Effective org structure Commitment to safety as top priority Defined safety mission Safety meetings Strong leadership skills Drug & Alcohol Program ADA compliance Cell phone policy Accident reporting, investigation, review Employee recruitment strategies Background / license checks Slide 31

32 Cross-cutting industry safety strengths Customer service Defensive driving training Passenger assistance training Behind-the-wheel coaching / counseling Preventive maintenance Defect maintenance Pre- / post-trip inspections Maintenance documentation Industry safety record Slide 32

33 Crosscutting Industry Safety Needs / Gaps Slide 33

34 Priority Safety Concerns Threat, hazard and vulnerability assessments Employee safety reporting program Regular and documented safety performance monitoring Coordination with emergency management / first responders Safety plans & program documentation Training Operator/driver new hire Operator/driver refresher/retraining Supervisor, dispatcher, mechanic Emergency response / crisis management Incident management /NIMS Security awareness Classroom /OJT documentation Slide 34

35 Specific Issues Internal emergency response procedures Near miss reporting / proactive safety analysis Detailed operational policy handbooks On board safety equipment Route evaluation Bus stop evaluation Defined customer service parameters/enforcement Fatigue management /fitness for duty Formal facility inspections Hazardous materials programs Slide 35

36 Specific Issues Emergency information dissemination policy Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) Access control / security transit facilities vehicle storage areas Employee and passenger security on buses at transit facilities Slide 36

37 Thank You Very Much and Keep Up the Great Work! Slide 37

MAP-21: What s The New Big Deal About Safety?

MAP-21: What s The New Big Deal About Safety? For the Oregon Public Transportation Conference October, 2013 PRESENTERS: John Johnson, Lee K. Lazaro ODOT Rail & Public Transit Section Presentation Overview