Transit Bus Safety and Security Program Federal Transit Administration

1. Transit Bus Safety and Security ProgramFederal Transit Administration

2. Program Background • “How did the program evolve?” • History of Bus Program • NTSB Recommendations to US DOT • Initial Model Program Development • Difficulties with Initial Model Program • New Bus Program Initiative

3. Specific NTSB Recommendations to US DOT • Develop & implement oversight program to assess & ensure safety of transit bus operations that receive Federal funding (H-98-43) • Collect accurate, timely, sufficient data so thorough assessments can be made relating to transit bus safety (H-89-44) • Evaluate collected data to identify underlying causes of transit bus accidents which lead to identification of safety deficiencies at transit agencies (H-98-45) • Develop, in cooperation with APTA, CTAA, & AASHTO, model comprehensive safety program(s) & provide to all transit agencies (H-98-46)

4. Initial Model Program Development • Memorandum of Understanding for Model Program Development (H-98-46) was signed by FTA & APTA, CTAA, AASHTO • A Model Program was drafted which set forth “core” & “enhanced” program elements

5. Difficulties with Initial Model Program • Single model developed for all transit agencies regardless of size or operating characteristics & “one size” did not fit all • Core & enhanced elements of Model were difficult for transit systems to interpret & apply to their individual operating realities • Coordination with & involvement of State DOTs in addressing Model Program implementation for small urban & rural transit agencies was limited • Model Program needed to be revised

6. New Bus Program Initiative • FTA revised & re-energized its Transit Bus Model Program in 2006 • Established Working Group of MOU partners & industry stakeholders to assist in Program design/development • Renamed program “FTA Transit Bus Safety and Security Program” since no single ‘model’ will be offered • A Framework for Excellence has been developed to promote standard principles

7. New Bus Program Initiative New Program Initiative cont’d • New Program tasked with providing voluntary guidelines for safety, security & emergency preparedness that are flexible & beneficial to all size transit agencies • New Program is dynamic, ongoing & designed to be responsive to changing needs in the transit safety & security environment • New Program is currently focused on needs of rural & small urban transit while still embracing larger bus agency mission

8. Program Foundation • “What is the Program infrastructure?” • Scope of New Program • Program Building Blocks • Make up of Working Group • Responsibilities of Working Group • Program Guideline Elements • Technical Assistance Info Database

9. Scope of New Bus Safety & Security Program • Establish Working Group of MOU partners & key stakeholders • Research bus transit industry safety, security & emergency preparedness needs • Develop implementation guidelines for bus safety, security & emergency preparedness excellence • Identify safety/security gaps between guidelines & existing performance within small, medium, large transit operations

10. Scope of New Bus Safety & Security Program Program Scope cont’d • Collect and/or develop technical assistance information/materials to fill identified safety/security gaps • Create mechanisms for agencies to access technical assistance information • Monitor Bus Transit Safety & Security Program outcomes on ongoing basis & re-engineer outreach & technical assistance information as necessary

11. Working Group Make-up • MOU Partner representatives including APTA, CTAA, AASHTO • Representatives from small, medium, large bus transit agencies • Representatives from State DOTs • Representatives from Federal partners, including Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Rural Transit Assistance Program (NRTAP), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) • Other key industry stakeholders

12. Working Group Responsibilities • Provide input to FTA on Bus Safety & Security Program design & implementation • Assist in identification & screening of technical assistance material • Assist in outreach & delivery of Bus Safety & Security Program initiatives

13. Bus Safety & Security Framework • Management • Equipment, Systems Operation and Maintenance • Human Resources • Safety Activities • Security Activities • Emergency / All-hazards Management

14. Technical Assistance Database • Purpose • Build & continuously update collection of transit industry safety & security best practices including policies, procedures, protocols, forms, handbooks, lesson plans, other technical assistance materials that can be used to fill individual agency gaps based on identified need • Process • Based on Guideline of Elements for Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness Excellence Research, review, select & categorize existing transit industry technical assistance materials from all available sources. Develop new materials where no appropriate existing materials are identified.

15. Program DELIVERY • “How is the Program accessed” • Program Orientation Seminars • Voluntary On-site Reviews • Resource Website • Workshops, Training & Outreach • State DOTs • Transit Associations

16. Orientation Seminar Overview • The Transit Bus Safety & Security Orientation Seminar provides an effective mechanism • to familiarize stakeholders with the program's objectives • to develop and make available effective practices and resources that address the needs of transit bus agencies around the nation, regardless of their size, level of funding, or service requirements • for program stakeholders to meet and share challenges and best practices 16

17. Orientation Seminar Focus Understanding the FTA Bus Safety and Security Program Identifying the elements of Transit Safety and Security Excellence Performing an assessment of a transit agency's safety, security and emergency preparedness Identifying a transit agency's best practices in safety and security Identifying gaps and needs in a transit agency's safety and security program Understanding the structure, use, and value of the FTA Bus Safety and Security web site Utilizing the website to locate and download information that will fill identified gaps and needs Creating a plan to achieve agency safety, security and emergency preparedness excellence 17

18. Voluntary On-site Reviews Voluntary On-Site Reviews • Solicit volunteer transit agencies of varying sizes, operating characteristics & locations to participate in on-site reviews • Conduct on-site review of volunteer agency safety, security & emergency preparedness activities using assessment questionnaire as catalyst for discussion • Develop post-site review report identifying agency best practices & gaps. Include recommendations for improvement. • Provide technical assistance materials to agency from Program resource library as may be appropriate / helpful

19. Resource Website • Library of effective practices and useful tools • Program information and updates • Self-assessment tool • Community forums • Community map • Comprehensive library • Registration gets you more • Dashboard • Access to tools • Regular updates • Recommended practices

20. Self-assessment Tool • Encourage transit agencies, in lieu of on-site review, to utilize this as an educational tool for achievement of safety, security & emergency preparedness excellence. • Resources are mapped to questions and can be bookmarked for later retrieval • FTA does not collect data – this tool is for the industry’s use • You can print the results for your records

21. Web Site Resource Library Resource Library • Over one thousand useful resources • Policies, procedures, protocols, forms, handbooks, lesson plans, other appropriate / helpful information. • Organized by Program Framework • Emphasize integration of safety, security and emergency preparedness into all areas of operations and maintenance • Registered users can “recommend” and “bookmark” resources

22. Community Forums • Registered users can: • View posts by other registered peers • Ask questions and/or provide useful information on topics • Discuss key issues affecting the delivery of effective safety, security and emergency preparedness activities • State DOTs have separate forum room

23. Workshops, Training and Outreach • Held State DOT Invitational Workshop. Other attendees - FTA headquarters/regional staff, Working Group members, other key industry stakeholders. • State regional workshops co-hosted by FTA & state DOTs to orient all state transit agencies on FTA Program. • Develop / deliver regional specialized training workshops for appropriate transit agency staff on high priority safety, security & emergency preparedness topics. • Aggressively pursue opportunities for outreach to transit industry on bus transit safety, security, emergency preparedness concerns

24. Communication Paths for Program Success • Program success depends on timely, effective & pro-active communication between: • Internal FTA elements & staff • FTA & other federal agencies • FTA & state DOTs • FTA & 5307 grant recipients • State DOTs & 5311 grant recipients • FTA, MOU Partners, Working Group, other key stakeholders

25. Beneficiaries of FTA Bus Program • Individual transit agencies • Program provides mechanism to evaluate current safety, security & emergency preparedness activities; identify gaps/needs; access technical assistance to meet gaps/needs to improve mission accomplishment • Transit employees • Program provides resources to assist in enhancement of individual technical skill sets & safety, security & emergency preparedness professionalism • Transit passengers • Program assists in decreasing operational safety risks to passengers while enhancing their security when using transit • Communities transit serves • Program emphasizes importance of transportation readiness to respond to community emergencies; provides tools for carrying out that response

26. Beneficiaries of FTA Bus Program • FTA and US Dept. of Transportation • Program meets NTSB recommendations & encourages achievement of safety, security & emergency preparedness excellence within framework of nationally standardized guidelines • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) & other Federal agencies • Program provides mechanism for FTA to partner with other federal agencies • State DOTs • Program provides guidance/support to state DOTs to assist in elevating level of safety, security & emergency preparedness of bus transit agencies in their state • Transit associations • Program provides template for associations n designing safety, security & emergency preparedness conference /workshop presentations & technical assistance activities

27. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!