Everything you need to know about the FTA Safety Management System changes

Times are changing for the better in the transportation industry. If you answer ‘Yes’ to the following
question, continue reading:

Is your transit system qualified for the Urbanized Area Formula Grants program funds? YES? Okay,
continue, some changes are coming into play. The new rule communicated by the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA) applies to your organization.

We’ve outlined everything you need to know.

The FTA has issued a new framework for managing and mitigating safety risks within the public
transit sector, as part of the new Public Transportation Safety Program.

The Public Transportation Safety Program includes the following: 

1. The National Public Transportation Safety Plan
2. The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP)
3. The Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program
4. The State Safety Oversight Program

The new safety program will require the operators of federally funded public transportation systems
to adopt and implement the new safety plans in order to strengthen the safety of the public
transportation systems and satisfy requirements.

More information can be found here on our dedicated MTA safety management system solution page – click here.

What is the desired outcome? 

The FTA has indicated that the program will assist with the ongoing concerns with safety
vulnerabilities presented with the public transportation industry. These encompass the growing
needs and complexity of the service, the aging transit infrastructure, equipment and facilities, and
the increased turnover rate within the workforce.

Across all aspects, it has been noted that there is a lack of consistent safety procedures and training.

What are the minimum requirements?

State and local government authorities, and/or operators of a public transportation system that
receives federal funding, have one year after the final rule has been published to implement and
deploy an end-to-end comprehensive Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP).

Each of the safety plans must utilize a Safety Management System (SMS) framework including four components:

1. Policies 
2. Risk Management
3. Safety Assurance
4. Promotion of Safety

Transit and Transportation agencies are to include performance management/targets based on the
necessary criteria outlined in the National Public Transportation Safety Plan and the National Asset
Management System. The ability to conduct annual reviews, including a set process and timeline,
needs to be present to ensure performance metrics and targets are met.

Minimum requirements for the tracking and management of performance targets:

• Fatalities
• Injuries
• Safety Events
• System Reliability (State of Good Repair Standard)

The PTASP drives the public transportation industry with systems-driven technology to enhance the
current standard of safety. By increasing the standards set around safety, the transit industry can
improve, monitor and manage current and future operations and performance.

How is Donesafe helping organizations comply with the PTASP rule?

Work with a team of safety and compliance software experts.

Our dedicated safety and compliance experts within the transport industry understand the
commitment to this safety plan known as the PTASP rule and can help implement a vehicle
inspection solution that fits your particular public transit fleet.

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