USDOT finalizes national regulation to promote transit safety and protect transit workers
UPDATE
This position is closely tied to the FRA ’ s Corridor Identification and Development Program , a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development initiative that guides intercity passenger rail development across the U . S . “ Nigel leads strategies that position WSP as the right partner for clients , including commuter railroads , intercity passenger rail operators and transit agencies , to advance critical and complex transportation projects that connect communities and strengthen local economies ,” said Jannet Walker-Ford , WSP senior vice president and national transit and rail market leader . “ He ’ s a talented professional with a wealth of international knowledge .” Astell , based in Washington , D . C ., coordinates closely with WSP ’ s global rail network as well . He has a wide-ranging background in business development , transportation planning , project delivery and performance improvement , having led complex projects , planning studies and operational reviews for some of the largest transportation agencies in the U . S . Astell previously worked for a U . S . -based global engineering firm as a vice president for transportation project management and business development . He began his career in the UK as an operations manager with the London Underground . He also led the development of business cases for major rail and bus rapid transit projects in that country and has managed or supported multiple communications-based train control projects in the U . S . and UK . Astell contributed to planning studies and performance reviews , across all rail modes , in the U . S ., Europe and Asia . He is a graduate of Durham University in the UK with a bachelor ’ s degree in psychology and London University with a diploma in transport .
USDOT finalizes national regulation to promote transit safety and protect transit workers
The Biden-Harris Administration will continue its focus on keeping public transportation the safest mode of surface travel , while increasing safety protections for transit workers . The U . S . Department of Transportation ’ s Federal Transit Administration ( FTA ) announced a final rule updating FTA ’ s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans ( PTASP ) regulation , along with a newly revised National Public Transportation Safety Plan . These major safety updates will make transit systems safer for transit workers and passengers nationwide , while providing workers more input in safety-making decisions through enhanced safety committees . “ Millions of Americans depend on safe , reliable public transportation every year , and transit workers deserve to be safe when they ’ re delivering this essential service ,” said U . S . Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg . “ These improved safety measures will enhance the safety of public transportation by empowering transit agencies and workers to identify risks , find solutions to mitigate those risks , and ensure the solutions are properly carried out .” The new rule and revised safety plan are the result of months of work by Biden-Harris Administration leaders and in response to dozens of comments filed by stakeholders , including transit agencies . “ The safe operation of public transit is FTA ' s top priority ,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool . “ Today ’ s updates to the National Safety Plan and PTASP regulation reflect our continued commitment , in cooperation with our state and industry partners , that every rider of public transit has a safe and reliable transportation experience .”
Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans Update
In the first major update to the PTASP regulation , FTA is increasing frontline transit worker involvement in safety , strengthening communication between frontline transit workers and transit agency management , and requiring the industry to use data to identify and manage safety risk . The changes apply to more than 700 transit agencies nationwide , including requirements for transit agencies serving areas with a population of 200,000 or more that largely coincide with the most significant increases in reported assaults on transit workers . Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law , impacted transit agencies are required to establish safety committees with equal numbers of frontline transit worker and management representatives to address safety issues . The updated PTASP regulation includes specific requirements for safety committee membership , procedures , and responsibilities to provide frontline workers more input into safety decision-making . A safety committee can recommend safety improvement strategies based on the agency ’ s safety risk reduction program . If approved as part of the larger agency safety plan , transit agencies are required to implement the safety risk mitigations . This includes preventing assaults on transit workers and vehicle-pedestrian collisions . The new rule also requires safety performance targets be set by agencies . All applicable transit agencies are also required to incorporate de-escalation training for frontline transit workers and minimize exposure to infectious diseases , consistent with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or a state health authority . The updated regulation also incorporates the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law requirement that transit agencies serving areas with a population of less than 200,000 develop their safety plans in cooperation with frontline transit worker representatives .
National Safety Plan
Reauthorized under President Biden ’ s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in November 2021 , the National Safety Plan creates a blueprint for transit agencies to adopt stronger safety practices , including mandatory performance measures for transit agencies subject to the PTASP regulation to address assaults on transit workers . The updated safety plan also includes best practices , tools , technical assistance , voluntary standards , and other resources for transit agencies to improve their safety performance related to major events , collisions , and injuries . The plan also incorporates Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provisions for risk-based approaches to reducing injuries and fatalities on transit systems . The updated plan supports the Department ’ s goal of making our transportation systems safer for all , which supports the vision outlined in the National Roadway Safety Strategy . It also builds upon FTA ’ s Bus-to-Person Collision Safety Advisory , which calls on transit agencies to assess this safety concern and consider strategies to reduce these types of collisions that accounted for 15 percent of all transit fatalities between 2008-2021 , as reported to the National Transit Database . The updated National Safety Plan includes 22 performance measures , including eight measures for safety risk reduction programs . Joint labor-management safety committees will now use these measures to set risk reduction performance targets focused on reducing the number and rates of accidents , injuries , and assaults on transit workers . FTA will continue to provide technical assistance to transit agencies regarding the PTASP regulation and National Safety Plan .
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