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Light Rail State Safety Oversight Program

In response to Congressional concern regarding the potential for catastrophic accidents and security incidents on rail transit systems, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) added Section 28 to the Federal Transit Act (codified at 49 U.S.C Section 5330). This section requires the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to issue a rule creating the first state managed oversight program for rail transit safety and security.

FTA published Rail Fixed Guideway Systems: State Safety Oversight on December 27, 1995 (codified at 49 CFR Part 659), subsequently referred to as the State Safety Oversight Rule or Part 659. This rule sets forth FTA’s requirements to improve rail transit safety and security.

The designated State Oversight Agency is required to perform several distinct functions as discussed below. The following activities constitute the core of FTA’s State Safety Oversight Rule:

Develop a System Safety Program Standard
Require, review and approve, and monitor the implementation of a System Safety Program Plan and Security Plan that complies with the Oversight Agency’s Program Standard at each rail transit system
Require each rail transit system to report the occurrence of accidents and unacceptable hazardous conditions within a period of time specified by the Oversight Agency
Require the rail transit system to implement a Corrective Action Plan
Conduct onsite visits at each rail transit system at a minimum of every 3 years to perform a formal Safety Review
Require the rail transit system to conduct safety audits according to the Internal Safety Audit Process detailed in the American Public Transit Associations Manual
Report to FTA

Dovetail Consulting, Inc. was selected to assist in our new SSO program start up activities. Dovetail brings along a wealth of knowledge and expertise through their work with over 16 other light rail properties and various other state Department of Transportation agencies. Some of the detailed project descriptions include developing the System Safety Program Standards, SSO Best Practices Research, SSO Peer Review Analysis, Communication Procedures, Contact Lists, Accident & Unacceptable Hazardous Conditions Reporting and host of other reports that will be used by Valley Metro Rail, Inc. to comply with the SSO Standards. As well as reports, Dovetail will assist in producing forms for gathering incident information, review Valley Metro Rail's System Safety and Security Program Plan and establish a document control. These are just a few of the tasks that are required in the prerevenue phase of light rail service.

Implementation Plan for State Safety Oversight

METRO Light Rail System Map (2008)

FTA – State Safety Oversight

For information on the development of light rail in the valley go to Valley Metro Rail.

The Light Rail State Safety Oversight Program Manager is Mr. Scott Friedson.

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