Synthesis of Information Related to Transit Practices. Topic SG-23. Data-Driven Approaches for Optimizing Transit Parts Procurement, Lead Time Risk, and Critical Spare Parts Planning

Transit agencies depend on the timely availability of spare parts to maintain fleet reliability, minimize vehicle downtime, and sustain safe and efficient service. Agencies employ a variety of approaches to procure, stock, and manage spare parts inventories; however, practices vary considerably based on fleet composition, agency size, operating environment, warehouse capacity, staffing resources, and supplier relationships. In recent years, transit agencies have experienced increasing challenges associated with extended supplier lead times, supply chain disruptions, parts obsolescence, and limited availability of critical vehicle components. At the same time, agencies are making greater use of maintenance management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, inventory management software, vehicle diagnostic data, asset management programs, and other operational data to improve procurement and inventory decision-making. Although many agencies have developed innovative practices to address these challenges, there has been limited documentation of current industry approaches for managing spare parts inventories, mitigating supply chain risks, identifying critical spare parts, and using data to support procurement decisions. A synthesis would provide transit agencies with a comprehensive understanding of current practices, emerging approaches, and lessons learned across the industry. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this synthesis is to document current practices used by transit agencies to optimize spare parts procurement, inventory management, supplier lead time risk, and critical spare parts planning. The synthesis should identify how agencies use data, technology, and operational practices to improve parts availability, reduce vehicle downtime, and support reliable transit service.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=6118
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

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

  Project J-07, Topic SG-23

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Transit Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Griswold, Emily

• Start Date: 20260907
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: Transit Cooperative Research Program

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data analysis; Inventory control; Optimization; Parts; Procurement; State of the practice; Transit operating agencies; Vehicle maintenance
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02001678
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project J-07, Topic SG-23
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 1 2026 5:16PM