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Policy Changes Are Prompting Updates to Your Transit Agency Safety Plan

When evaluating the trends of our nation’s transit infrastructure and rider safety, presented by Mass Transit magazine, it is clear we are headed in the right direction. These statistics show us the success of the collaboration and commitment of transit agencies, stakeholders, and consultants. And, as an added value, national policies issued recently will continue to raise the bar and ensure transit safety is a top priority.

Agency Safety Plans Need To Be Updated

The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), added new Agency Safety Plans (ASP) requirements. This will require most urban transit agencies to update their ASP by December 31, 2022 to be compliant with FTA Section 5239(d). These new requirements include adding ASP sections and strategies to:

  • Minimize exposure to infectious diseases consistent with guidelines of the CDC or a State health authority
  • Develop a risk reduction program that reduces vehicular and pedestrian accidents, including through reducing visibility impairments for bus operators
  • Develop a risk reduction program that reduces assaults on transit workers, including through the deployment of assault mitigation infrastructure and technology on buses 

The ASP must now also be developed in cooperation with frontline employee representation. For transit agencies serving urbanized areas over 200,000 people, there are additional requirements and guidelines regarding:

  • The makeup and powers of the safety committee, which needs to be operational by July 31, 2022
  • Staff safety training and de-escalation training, as well as tracking assaults on transit workers
  •  Dedicating a minimum percentage of 5307 funding towards safety-related projects
  •  Safety performance target development 

As a reminder, transit agencies are already required annually to:

  • Review the safety management policy statement
  • Document the safety risk management process and risk-mitigating actions
  • Provide staff with updates on safety performance and mitigating actions
  • Ensure the agency’s safety committee and governance body reviews and, if necessary, updates the ASP
  • Transmit the ASP and updated performance targets to the MPO and state DOT
  • Maintain all safety plan related documentation for a minimum of three years

SRF Is Here to Help You

SRF’s Transit Planners, in partnership with agencies throughout the nation, are at the forefront of evaluating needs and delivering right-fit solutions to improve the safety of our nation’s transit infrastructure.

We are here to assist your transit agency with ASP updates for continued compliance with FTA requirements, as well as facilitate ASP implementation workshops with your safety committee and staff. Contact our transit planners to start the conversation

As a reminder, transit agencies are already required annually to:

  • Review the safety management policy statement
  • Document the safety risk management process and risk-mitigating actions
  • Provide staff with updates on safety performance and mitigating actions
  • Ensure the agency’s safety committee and governance body reviews and, if necessary, updates the ASP
  • Transmit the ASP and updated performance targets to the MPO and state DOT

Joe Kapper, Senior Project Manager
jkapper@srfconsulting.com

Menno Shukking, Transit Planner
mshukking@srfconsulting.com