Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SA-65. Assessment of Transit Industry Understanding and Implementation of Safety Management System (SMS): Identifying Effective Strategies and Tools

The Federal Transit Administration’s adoption of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation requires that federally funded transit agencies develop and implement a formal Safety Management System (SMS) framework to ensure an organization-wide approach to managing safety risk and assuring the effectiveness of a transit agency’s safety risk mitigation. SMS includes systematic procedures, practices, and policies for managing hazards and safety risks to improve the safety of public transportation in the United States. Since its adoption, the transit industry’s understanding and application of SMS have evolved significantly, with varying levels of implementation across agencies. While some transit agencies have successfully integrated SMS principles into their safety practices, others face challenges in achieving full compliance and realizing the benefits of a proactive safety culture. Given this information, there is a need to assess how transit agencies interpret and apply SMS, identify common challenges, and document effective strategies, tools, and promotional activities that facilitate successful adoption and implementation. A comprehensive understanding of SMS adoption is critical for transit agencies to proactively address gaps in safety practices as well as enhance their safety culture before potential safety events occur. By identifying and documenting effective SMS implementation strategies, this research could enhance safety outcomes, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and strengthen public confidence in transit safety. This synthesis will examine industry-wide SMS adoption through case examples assessing the industry’s application of the four components of SMS: safety policy, safety risk management, safety assurances, and safety promotion. This synthesis will document successful activities and tools that measure and enhance SMS effectiveness that help transit agencies of varying size and mode strengthen their safety management capabilities as well as identifying any implementation challenges. This research aims to establish a foundation for improved safety management across transit agencies.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5928
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $75,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project J-07, Topic SA-65

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Synthesis

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Griswold, Emily

• Start Date: 20250508
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Risk management; Safety management; Transit authorities; Transit safety
• Identifier Terms: Safety Management Systems
• Subject Areas: Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01960824
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project J-07, Topic SA-65
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 16 2025 3:17PM