Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SA-66. Measuring and Mitigating Risk in Transit Automation Testing and Implementation

Public transit agencies across the nation are increasingly adopting automation and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions. As the technologies evolve, critical questions are emerging regarding safety validation, testing protocols, and regulatory alignment. Automated systems for fare collection, vehicle safety, and transit operations require robust testing frameworks to ensure reliable functionality. Current practices for measuring and mitigating the risk (including false positives and negatives, compliance with safety standards, and stakeholder coordination) vary across agencies. There is limited knowledge on how transit agencies approach automation testing and risk mitigation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this synthesis is to document current transit agency practices in automation testing, safety risk profiling, test validation procedures, and balancing innovation with regulatory compliance in transit operations. This synthesis will provide agencies with approaches to automation testing and risk mitigation.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5929
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $75,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project J-07, Topic SA-66

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program

  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:

  Schoby, Jamaal

• Start Date: 20260307
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Artificial intelligence; Automation; Compliance; Public transit; Test procedures; Transit authorities; Transit safety
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01960818
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project J-07, Topic SA-66
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Jul 16 2025 1:59PM