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Transit Bus Safety Oversight Program. Program Overview. Bus Safety Program Background. Began as a voluntary technical assistance program that resulted from findings and recommendations in 1998 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report
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Transit Bus Safety Oversight Program Program Overview
Bus Safety Program Background • Began as a voluntary technical assistance program that resulted from findings and recommendations in 1998 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report • FTA Office of Transit Safety and Oversight (was the Office of Safety and Security) oversees the Program • Program title was originally the Bus Safety and Security Program • In collaboration with MOU Partners APTA, CTAA and AASHTO, the Bus Program promoted strategies and methods to improve bus safety, security, and emergency preparedness
What is the Current Bus Safety Program? • Founded on guidelines that were developed with input from the transit industry and national safety stakeholders • A framework to promote continuous improvement in safety programs • A means to provide practical safety technical assistance and resources to public transit bus agencies of all sizes • A resource to help guide transit agencies in implementing a Safety Management System (SMS)
A little background • The Bus Safety Program supports FTA’s mission to achieve the highest levels of transit system safety • The Program emphasizes • Coordination and collaboration with stakeholders • Incremental and sustained progress • Delivery of practical and effective technical assistance • Dialogue on safety issues • Program was restructured to support transit agency SMS implementation efforts
Who is involved in the Program? FTA’s Program Partners • Original co-signors to the 2003 MOU • American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) • American Public Transportation Association (APTA) • Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) • State DOTs • National RTAP • Sister Federal Agencies • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) • State transit associations • Educational institutions • Training Institutions • Transportation Safety Institute • National Transit Institute • Transit systems, large and small, across the nation
How do the Partners work together? • Through information sharing • By providing parallel and consistent SMS based safety guidance • Through coordination at workshops and conferences • Through ongoing interaction
Who should take advantage of the Program? • Public transit bus agencies • Previous focus was solely on rural 5311 and small urban 5307 transit agencies • Program expanded to include midsize and large urban transit agencies • Transit agencies looking to improve safety programs • Transit agencies looking for assistance in SMS implementation • State DOTs • Critical partner in promoting SMS and safety within smaller transit systems • Those generally interested in advancing the Program
What can transit agencies gain from the Program? • Familiarization with SMS guidance and strategies to enhance safety infrastructure • Orientation to the Bus Safety Program through FTA-sponsored Orientation Seminars • A strategy for evaluating existing safety programs and identifying SMS based safety gaps • Access to over resources in the website library to build and/or strengthen safety programs • Transit related safety news • Information about transit related events
What are primary methods of delivering the Bus Safety Program? • Technical assistance website resource library - http://bussafety.fta.dot.gov • Case studies and e-learning modules on website • Orientation Seminars sponsored by state DOTs • Presentations at transit conferences and other transit related events
What does the Resource Website contain? • Easy to find, practical resources and tools • Policies, procedures, handbooks, checklists, templates, forms, Federal regulations and guidance and other types of documents • SMS based tools to enhance existing safety programs • Transit safety news • Transit related events • Other useful tools and information http://bussafety.fta.dot.gov
What is the purpose of registering on the website? • Opportunity to specify interests through personal Dashboard • Ability to “bookmark” website resources for later retrieval from personal Dashboard • Receipt of blast emails on timely transit safety information • Access to all tools on website
What takes place during anOrientation Seminar? • Explanation of background and overview of Bus Safety Program • Explanation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) • Guidance and assistance provided to bus transit systems in • Identifying elements of Transit Bus Safety Excellence • Identifying strategies for SMS implementation • Identifying gaps and needs in existing safety programs • Utilizing website to locate and download information that will fill identified safety program gaps • Demonstration of Bus Safety Program website
What are the steps for hosting a Seminar? • FTA partners with DOTs to schedule seminar • DOT selects date for seminar • DOT and FTA collaborate on venue • DOT sends invitations to small urban Section 5307, Section 5311, and Section 5310 agencies • FTA provides presenters and handouts; pays for venue and A/V equipment • FTA does not pay for participant travel, lodging, or meals Slide 13
How are transit agencies being called to action? • Visit http://bussafety.fta.dot.gov • Read about the Bus Safety Program • Review “Getting Started” ideas and “First Steps” • Register on the website • Learn about Safety Management Systems (SMS) • Browse the resource library • Use website tools to learn about SMS safety related issues • Ask state DOT to host an Orientation Seminar if one has not already been held in the state