Visalia Transit
Public Transit Agency Safety Plan
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1. Transit Agency Information
The Transit Manager is ultimately accountable for ensuring that SMS is implemented throughout Visalia Transit in accordance with this Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (ASP). Additionally, the Transit Manager is accountable for ensuring action is taken to address substandard performance in Visalia Transit’s SMS when required. The Transit Management Analyst has been designated as the Safety Officer by and reporting directly to the Transit Manager. The Transit Management Analyst has been empowered with responsibility for day-to- day implementation and operation of Visalia Transit’s SMS.
Transit Agency Name Visalia Transit – Operated by RATP Dev USA Transit Agency
Address
425 E. Oak Ave., Ste. 301
Visalia, CA 93291
Name and Title of
Accountable
Executive
Angelina Baker, Transit Manager
Name and Title of
Chief Safety Officer Caleb Bowman, Transit Management Analyst Mode(s) of Service
Covered by This Plan
Fixed Route Bus Service,
On-Demand Bus Service,
Commuter Bus Service
List All FTA Funding
Types (e.g., 5307, 5310,
5311)
CARES, 5307, 5311(f),
5310, LCTOP, LFT
Mode(s) of Service
Provided by the
Transit Agency
Visalia Transit provides Fixed Route Bus Service (Visalia Transit), On-Demand Service (Dial-A-Ride & Visalia Connect), and Commuter Bus Service (V-Line) which is operated by our contractor.
Does the agency
provide transit
services on behalf of
another transit agency
or entity?
Yes
X
No
Description of
Arrangement(s)
Visalia Transit provide fixed route public
bus service for local cities and county
government in the region which is operated
by our contractor.
Name and Address of
Agency(ies) or
Entity(ies) for Which
Service Is Provided
City of Exeter
Attn: Jason Ridenour, City Manager
[email protected]
350 W. Firebaugh
Exeter, CA 93221
City of Farmersville
Attn: Daymon Qualls, City Manager
[email protected] v
909 W. Visalia Rd.
Farmersville, CA 93223
Tulare County Regional Transit Agency
Attn: Derek Winning, Executive Director
Visalia Transit
Public Transit Agency Safety Plan
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[email protected]
200 E. Center Ave
Visalia, CA 93291
Service Area Small Urban
Census Tract
Number(s)
06107001003
06107001100
06107001400
2. Contractor Information
Contractor’s Name RATP Dev USA
Operating Location
Address
525 N. Cain St.
Visalia, CA 93292
General Manager Edward Van Heel
Assistant General
Manager/Operations
Manager
Jenny Gaitan
Safety & Training
Manager Feleicia “Danielle” Bratcher
Maintenance Manager Joseph Olaerts
3. Plan Development, Approval, and Updates
This Agency Safety Plan addresses all applicable requirements and standards as set forth in FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program and the National Public Transportation Safety Plan.
Name of Entity That
Drafted This Plan Caleb Bowman, Transit Management Analyst, Visalia Transit Signature by the City’s
Accountable Executive
Signature of Accountable Executive Date of Signature
Angelina Baker, Transit Manager
Approval by the Board
of Directors or an
Equivalent Authority
City of Visalia, City Manager Date of Approval
Leslie Caviglia, City Manager
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City Council Agenda Item Number Meeting Date of Approval
Public Transporation Agency Safety Plan, Relevant Documentation and Location
A copy of the approved Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan and relevant documents will be maintained on the City of Visalia’s Transit drive in the PTASP folder and maintained by the Transit Manager and Transit Management Analyst for City of Visalia - Transit.
Version Number and Updates
Record the complete history of successive versions of this plan.
Version
Number
Section/Pages
Affected Reason for Change Date Issued
1.0 New Document September 2025
Annual Review and Update of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Describe the process and timeline for conducting an annual review and update of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.
At Visalia Transit, review of safety practices is an ongoing process, not one limited to scheduled reviews. As policies/procedures and training techniques change throughout the year they are updated and communicated throughout the organization. All changes are reviewed and approved by Visalia’s and Contractor’s Accountable Executives.
Each fiscal year, Visalia Transit’s Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) is reviewed by management and revised based on the safety data collected and analyzed, and changes to policies and procedures made throughout the year by Visalia Transit or Contractor. The final annual revision will be reviewed and approved by the Safety Committee and then by Visalia Transit’s Accountable Executive (Transit Manager) by August 1st of each year. The revised PTASP will be forwarded to the City Manager for review, approval, and certification. The PTASP should be approved no later than August 20th of each year.
The Contractor’s Annual Review and Update of their PTASP is included in Attachment A, section 2.0.
4. Annual Safety Performance Targets
Safety Performance Targets
Specify performance targets based on the safety performance measures established under the National Public Transportation Safety Plan.
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The targets below are based on the previous 4 years of Visalia Transit safety performance data reported to NTD.
Safety Performance Target: Major Events
The FTA NTD Policy Manual specifies reporting thresholds for minor and major safety events. Additionally, major events are considered any safety or security event that meet the threshold as outlined in Attachment A, section 3.2. The vehicular collision rate will include collisions with all forms of motorized vehicles (cars, buses, motorcycles, etc.).
Fixed-Route Commuter Demand Response
FY24/25 Data FY25/26
Targets FY24/25 Data FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
Major Events
(Total)
Major Events Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Collisions Events
(Total)
Collision Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Pedestrian
Collision Events
(Total)
Pedestrian
Collision Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Vehicular
Collision Events
(Total)
Vehicular
Collision Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Safety Performance Target: Fatalities
In accordance with the FTA NTD Policy Manual, Visalia Transit tracks the total number of overall fatalities and transit worker fatalities resulting from safety or security events, excluding those that occur because of illnesses, drug overdoses, or other natural causes (including individuals who are found deceased). Fatalities are tracked as a hard count with performance tracked monthly and cumulatively.
Fixed-Route Commuter Demand Response
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
Fatalities
(Total)
Fatality Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Transit Worker
Fatality
(Total)
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Transit Worker
Fatality Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Safety Performance Target: Injuries
In accordance with the NTD Policy Manual, an injury is defined as an employee, passenger, or third-party experiencing harm that required immediate medical attention away from the scene because of safety event.
The FTA tracks injury frequency rates (IFR) rates include employees, passengers, pedestrians, and third- party injuries and the FTA’s transit worker injury rate is specific to all transit employees.
Fixed-Route Commuter Demand Response
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
Injuries
(Total)
Injury Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Transit Worker
Injuries
(Total)
Transit Worker
Injury Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Safety Performance Target: Assaults on Transit Workers
The overall transportation industry is experiencing a growing trend in assaults on transit workers, especially operators. The NTD Policy Manual defines a transit worker assault as a circumstance in which an individual knowingly interferes with, disables, or incapacitates a transit worker while the transit worker is performing their duties.
Fixed-Route Commuter Demand Response
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
Assaults on
Transit Workers
(Total)
Rate of Assaults
on Transit
Workers
(per 100K VRM)
Safety Performance Target: System Reliability
In accordance with NTD Policy Manual, system reliability is measured based on the number of major mechanical failures experienced, which is defined as failure of some mechanical element of the revenue vehicle not caused by a collision, natural disaster, or vandalism, which prevent a vehicle from completing or starting a scheduled revenue trip because actual movement is limited or because of safety concerns.
Fixed-Route Commuter Demand Response
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
FY24/25
Data
FY25/26
Targets
System Reliability
(Total)
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System Reliability
Rate
(per 100K VRM)
Safety Performance Target Coordination
Every year after its formal adoption by the City Manager, the Transit Manager will share the PTASP, including safety performance targets with the State of California (Caltrans) and our Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) no later than September 1st.
Department personnel will be readily available to coordinate with the State of California and TCAG in the selection of safety performance targets upon request.
5. Coordination with Metropolitan, Statewide, and Non -metropolitan Planning Processes
State Entity Name Date Targets
Transmitted
Targets
Transmitted to
the State
State Entity:
Caltrans Division of Rail and Mass Transportation
State Entity Contact which receives performance numbers:
Brian Travis, Senior Transportation Planner
Targets
Transmitted to
the Metropolitan
Planning
Organization(s)
Metropolitan Planning Organization Name Date Targets
Transmitted
MPO:
Tulare County Association of Governments
MPO Contact which receives performance numbers:
Giancarlo Bruno, Associate Regional Planner
6. Safety Management Policy
Safety Management Policy Statement
Include the written statement of safety management policy, incorporating safety objectives.
At Visalia Transit, safety is more than a policy statement we are committed to ensuring the safety and well- being of its employees, contractors, contractor’s employees, and passengers. Management believes that working safely promotes quality, productivity, and profitability. Prevention of collisions and personal injuries is of critical importance to everyone. Management is committed to providing a safe workplace, proper training, protective equipment, and a work environment conducive to safe practices and policies as well as ensuring availability of necessary resources and people to implement SMS effectively.
It is the policy of Visalia Transit to comply with all applicable occupational safety and health regulations and to establish guidelines and procedures for the maintenance of an on-going PTASP. This is accomplished Visalia Transit
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through safety and health inspections, employee training, and accident investigation. Response to safety concerns will be given the highest priority at every level of the Visalia Transit structure.
The Contractor’s Safety Management Policy Statement is included in Attachment A, section 4.1.
Safety Management Policy Communication
Describe how the safety management policy is communicated throughout the agency’s organization.
Include dates where applicable.
Local Communication of Safety Concerns
The Contractor’s Safety and Training Manager (CSTM) is at the center of the safety communication process and is responsible for compiling safety reports to include the following:
• Accident and injury data
• Security incident data
• Near miss and hazard reporting
• Collision incident data
• Safety and security audit data and recommendations
• Safety Committee (SC) meeting minutes
The CSTM reports directly to the Contractor’s General Manager (CGM) and routinely meets formally with the CGM, one-on-one, and Visalia Transit’s Chief Safety Officer (CSO) to provide updates on safety issues, safety priorities, and hazard management. The CSTM also meets informally with the CGM and CSO to provide updates on safety issues on an as-needed basis.
Per our contract with the Contractor, the CSTM is responsible to inform the CSO of any accident, incident, or any other safety issues immediately. Reports and video are to be provided to CSO within 48 hours of the event.
The CSTM also participates in the SC meetings to discuss safety priorities, safety issues, and hazard management, and to communicate safety-related information across all departments.
The Contractor’s Safety Management Policy Communication is included in Attachment A, section 4.2.
Authorities, Accountabilities, and Responsibilities
Describe the authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities of the following individuals for the development and management of the transit agency’s Safety Management System (SMS).
Accountable Executive
Visalia Transit:
Angelina Baker, Transit Manager
The Accountable Executives has the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities under this plan:
• Controls and directs human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain the ASP and SMS.
• Designates an adequately trained Chief Safety Officers who are a direct report.
• Ensures that the SMS is effectively implemented.
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• Ensures action is taken to address substandard performance of the SMS.
• Assumes ultimate responsibility for carrying out the ASP and SMS.
• Maintains responsibility for carrying out the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan.
Chief Safety Officer or SMS
Executive
Visalia Transit:
Caleb Bowman, Transit Management Analyst
The Accountable Executive designates the Chief Safety Officers. The Chief Safety Officers have the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities under this plan:
• Develops the ASP and SMS policies and procedures.
• Ensures and oversees implementation and operation of the SMS. • Manages the Employee Safety Reporting Program (ESRP). • Attends the Safety Committee Meeting
• Advises the Accountable Executives on SMS progress and status. • Identifies substandard performance in the SMS and develops action plans for approval by the Accountable Executive. • Ensures that policies are consistent with the safety objectives. • Provides Safety Risk Management (SRM) expertise and support for other personnel who conduct and oversee Safety Assurance activities.
Contractor’s Leadership and
Executive Management
Contractor:
Edward Van Heel, General Manager
Jenny Gaitan, Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager Feleicia “Danielle” Bratcher, Safety and Training Manager Joseph Olaerts, Maintenance Manager
The Contractor’s Leadership and Executive Management also have authorities and responsibilities for day-to-day SMS implementation and operation of the SMS under this plan.
Contractor’s Leadership and Executive Management personnel have the following authorities, accountabilities, and responsibilities:
• Participate as members of safety committees.
• Complete training on SMS and ASP elements.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the SMS in their departments. • Modify policies in their departments consistent with
implementation of the SMS, as necessary.
• Chairs the Safety Committee Meeting and (Safety & Training Manager only)
o Coordinates the activities of the committee;
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o Establishes and maintains the Safety Risk Register and Safety Event Log to monitor and analyze trends in
hazards, occurrences, incidents, and accidents; and
o Maintains and distributes minutes of committee meetings. • Provide subject matter expertise to support implementation of the SMS as requested by the Accountable Executives or the Chief Safety Officers, including SRM activities, investigation of safety events, development of safety risk mitigations, and monitoring of mitigation effectiveness.
The Contractor’s Necessary Authorities, Accountabilities, and Responsibilities is included in Attachment A, section 4.3.
Additional
Accountability
AE: Visalia Transit’s Accountable Executive
CSO: Visalia Transit’s Chief Safety Officer
CGM: Contractor’s General Manager
CAGM: Contractor’s Assistant General Manager/Operations Manager CSTM: Contractor’s Safety & Training Manager
CMM: Contractor’s Maintenance Manager
CHR: Contractor’s Human Resources
Safety Responsibility and Task Matrix
Responsibilities and Tasks AE CSO CGM CSTM CAGM CMM CHR Establish annual safety
objectives for submission to
the CGM and Visalia Transit
at the beginning of each
fiscal year
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Submit a report on the safety
performance at the end of
each fiscal period to CGM
and Visalia Transit
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Submit the following: period
operations and safety data;
accident and incident
reports; and site safety
review results
☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
The CGM or their designee
has the authority to direct
that work or conditions have
been determined to be
☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒
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unsafe or pose a hazard to
customers, employees,
Contractor’s employees, the
general public, or endangers
the safe passage of buses
be suspended or restricted
until the unsafe condition or
hazard can be mitigated or
corrected
Management of system
safety, occupational health
and safety, accident and
incident investigation,
environmental protection and
monitoring the
implementation of the Safety
Management System (SMS)
Program Plan
☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Review of all safety aspects
of departmental procedures
including Contractor’s
policies/instructions;
Standard Operating
Procedures; HR policies;
safety and health policies
☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
SMS Review and
Modification ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Safety Committee Meetings ☐ ☒ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Daily Safety & Health
Walkthrough ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Safety related reports to
external agencies ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Near miss and route hazard
report investigations ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Investigation of safety
related trends ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Coordination with United
States and State
Departments of Labor and
Occupational Safety and
☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒
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Health Administration
(OSHA)
Environmental Management
Oversight ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Hazard Management
Process ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Managing Safety Validation
of Change Process ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Safety Data Reporting ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Investigations ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Advise to update SOPs,
Rules, and Emergency Plans ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☒
Emergency Response ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☒ ☐
Fire Protection ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Shop Safety Hazardous
Tools Inspections ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Review Vehicle Maintenance
and Failure Data ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Perform Vehicle
Maintenance
Inspections/Audits
☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐
Training, Certification,
Review, and Audit ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Personal Protective
Equipment Review ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Hazardous Materials
Management ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Program ☐ ☐ ☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐
Procurement ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
The Contractor’s Necessary Authorities, Accountabilities, and Responsibilities is included in Attachment A, section 4.3.
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Employee Safety Reporting Program
Describe the process and protections for employees to report safety conditions to senior management.
Describe employee behaviors that may result in disciplinary action (and therefore, are excluded from protection).
Visalia Transit Management has an open-door policy for all City, contractors’, and subcontractors’ management and employees can communicate safety concerns without the threat of retaliation; all personal information is kept confidential to the extent possible.
The Contractor’s Employee Voluntary Safety Reporting Program is included in Attachment A, section 4.4.
7. Safety Risk Management
Safety Risk Management Process
Describe the Safety Risk Management process, including:
• Safety Hazard Identification: The methods or processes to identify hazards and consequences of the hazards
• Safety Risk Assessment: The methods or processes to assess the safety risks associated with identified safety hazards
• Safety Risk Mitigation: The methods or processes to identify mitigations or strategies necessary as a result of safety risk assessment
Safety management is at the core of everything done at Visalia Transit. All employees and contractors are responsible for performing their jobs in a safe manner, which includes identifying safety risks and participating in developing and implementing effective mitigation techniques.
Safety Rist Identification
Methods or processes to identify hazards and potential consequences of the hazards.
The Contractor’s Safety Risk Identification is included in Attachment A, section 5.1.
Safety Rist Assessment
Methods or processes to assess the safety risk associated with identified hazards.
The Contractor’s Safety Risk Assessment is included in Attachment A, section 5.2.
Safety Rist Assessment
Methods or processes to assess the safety risk associated with identified hazards.
The Contractor’s Safety Risk Mitigation is included in Attachment A, section 5.3.
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8. Safety Assurance
Safety Performance Monitoring and Measurement
Describe activities to monitor operations to identify any safety risk mitigations that may be ineffective, inappropriate, or were not implemented as intended.
Visalia Transit requires the Contractor to have a resident Management Team who reports to the Chief Safety Officer. This team consists of a General Manager and a Safety Manager, who oversee the safety of the operation.
Additionally, each Contractor shall employ a Street Supervisors, Dispatchers, and Instructors; all of whom are responsible for oversight of the daily operations and training. All safety risks identified are reported to the General Manager and Safety Manager who will relay necessary information back to Visalia Transit. Any risks that can be addressed immediately are corrected but still reported. Visalia Transit’s Contractor also establishes a Safety Committee (SC) that includes AE, CSO, or their designee, which uses the following methodologies to ensure a proactive approach to safety. • Routine hazard management
• Accident and incident investigation
• Safety data collection and analysis
• Routine internal safety audits
• Facility, equipment, systems and vehicle inspections
• Routine proficiency checks for all vehicle operators and maintenance employees • Compliance evaluations including onsite inspections
• Regularly communicating safety and hazard data to all employees
The Contractor’s Safety Assurance is included in Attachment A, section 6.1.
Safety and Security Event Reporting and Investigation
Describe activities to conduct investigations of safety events to identify causal factors.
Visalia Transit has a “zero” tolerance for preventable injuries and collisions. Elimination of preventable injuries and collisions is our number one goal.
Any injury, collision or incident that occurs is investigated to determine preventability or non-preventability.
Per our contract, The CSTM shall report any injury, collision or incident that occurs immediately to the AE and CSO. Reports and video are to be provided to CSO within 48-hours of the event. Investigations include all instances in which:
• a vehicle was damaged
• a vehicle leaves the traveled roadway
• property/structure was damaged
• a passenger is injured
• an employee is injured or
• an assault occurs aboard a bus or at a stop location
The Contractor’s Safety and Security Event Reporting and Investigation is included in Attachment A, section 6.2.
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Describe activities to monitor information reported through internal safety reporting programs.
The Contractor’s Safety Manager (CSM) and/or Contractor’s General Manager (CGM) routinely review all safety and hazard data, which includes searching for repetitive events that might have safety implications.
When accident/incident reports and statistics indicate repetitive accidents/incidents, the CSM and CGM investigate to determine the root cause and report findings to CSO.
The Contractor’s Safety and Security Event Reporting and Investigation is included in Attachment A, section 6.2.
Management of Change
Describe the process for identifying and assessing changes that may introduce new hazards or impact safety performance.
The Contractor’s Management of Change is included in Attachment A, section 6.3.
Continuous Improvement
Describe the process for assessing safety performance. Describe the process for developing and carrying out plans to address identified safety deficiencies.
The Contractor’s Continuous Improvement is included in Attachment A, section 6.4.
9. Safety Promotion
Competencies and Training
Describe the safety training program for all agency employees and contractors directly responsible for safety.
Visalia Transit requires the Contractor to implement a safety training program for all new hires in addition to regular monthly safety training for all employees. Visalia Transit Management attends at least two (2) monthly safety trainings per year.
The Contractor’s Safety Competencies and Training is included in Attachment A, section 7.2.
Safety Communication
Describe processes and activities to communicate safety and safety performance information throughout the organization.
The Contractor’s Safety Communication is included in Attachment A, section 7.3.
10. Additional Information
Supporting Documentation
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Include or reference documentation used to implement and carry out the Safety Plan that are not included elsewhere in this Plan.
1. 49 CFR Part 670 Public Transportation Safety Program
2. 49 CFR Part 673 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
3. National Public Transportation Safety Plan (April 2024)
11. Definitions of Special Terms Used in the Safety Plan Visalia Transit incorporates all of FTA’s definitions that are in 49 CFR § 673.5 of the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan regulation.
Term Definition
Accident
An Event that involves any of the following: A loss of life; a report of a serious injury to a person; a collision of public transportation vehicles; a runaway train; an evacuation for life safety reasons; or any derailment of a rail transit vehicle, at any location, at any time, whatever the cause.
Accountable
Executive
A single, identifiable person who has ultimate responsibility for carrying out the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan of a public transportation agency; responsibility for carrying out the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan; and control or directio n over the human and capital resources needed to develop and maintain both the agency's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5329(d), and the agency's Transit Asset Management Plan, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 5326.
Chief Safety Officer
The CSO
Has the authority and responsibility for day-to-day implementation and operation of the agency’s SMS. Recipients and subrecipients to which the rule applies must have approved plans by December 31, 2020.
Equivalent Authority
An entity that carries out duties similar to that of a Board of Directors for a recipient or subrecipient of FTA funds under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53, including sufficient authority to review and approve a recipient or subrecipient's Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan.
Event Any Accident, Incident, or Occurrence.
Hazard
Any real or potential condition that can cause injury, illness, or death; damage to or loss of the facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure of a public transportation system; or damage to the environment.
Incident
An event that involves any of the following: a personal injury that is not a serious injury; one or more injuries requiring medical transport; or damage to facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure that disrupts the operations of a transit agency.
Injury Any harm to persons as a result of an event that requires immediate medical attention away from the scene.
Investigation The process of determining the causal and contributing factors of an accident, incident, or hazard, for the purpose of preventing recurrence and mitigating risk.
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National Public
Transportation Safety
Plan
The plan to improve the safety of all public transportation systems that receive Federal financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
Occurrence An Event without any personal injury in which any damage to facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure does not disrupt the operations of a transit agency.
Operator A public transportation system means a provider of public transportation as defined under 49 U.S.C. 5302.
Performance Measure An expression based on a quantifiable indicator of performance or condition that is used to establish targets and to assess progress toward meeting the established targets.
Performance Target A quantifiable level of performance or condition, expressed as a value for the measure, to be achieved within a time period required by the FTA.
Public Transportation
Agency Safety Plan
(PTASP or Agency
Safety Plan)
The documented comprehensive Agency Safety Plan for a transit agency that is required by 49 U.S.C. 5329 and Part 673.
Risk The composite of predicted severity and likelihood of the potential effect of a hazard.
Risk Mitigation A method or methods to eliminate or reduce the effects of hazards.
Safety Freedom from unintentional harm.
Safety Assurance
The processes within a transit agency's Safety Management System that function to ensure the implementation and effectiveness of safety risk mitigation, and to ensure that the transit agency meets or exceeds its safety objectives through the collection, analysis, and assessment of information.
Safety Event An unexpected outcome resulting in injury or death; damage to or loss of the facilities, equipment, rolling stock, or infrastructure of a public transportation system; or damage to the environment.
SMS Executive
Chief Safety Officer or equivalent that is an adequately trained individual who has responsibility for safety and reports directly to a transit agency's chief executive officer, general manager, president, or equivalent officer.
Safety Management
Policy
A transit agency's documented commitment to safety, which defines the transit agency's safety objectives and the accountabilities and responsibilities of its employees in regard to safety.
Safety Management
System
The formal, top-down, 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 risks and hazards.
Safety Performance
Target A performance target related to safety management activities.
Safety Promotion A combination of training and communication of safety information to support SMS as applied to the transit agency's public transportation system.
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Safety Risk The composite of predicted likelihood and severity of a potential consequence of a hazard.
Safety Risk
Assessment
The formal activity whereby a transit agency determines Safety Risk Management priorities by establishing the significance or value of its safety risks.
Safety Risk
Management
A process within a transit agency's Agency Safety Plan for identifying hazards and analyzing, assessing, and mitigating safety risk.
Safety Risk Mitigation A method(s) to eliminate or reduce the likelihood and severity of a potential consequence of a safety risk.
Security Freedom from intentional harm.
Transit Agency An operator of a public transportation system.
Transit Asset
Management Plan
The strategic and systematic practice of procuring, operating, inspecting, maintaining, rehabilitating, and replacing transit capital assets to manage their performance, risks, and costs over their life cycles, for the purpose of providing safe, cost effective, and reliable public transportation, as required by 49 U.S.C. 5326 and 49 CFR Part 625.
Transit Worker Any employee, contractor, or volunteer working on behalf of the public transit agency.
12. List of Acronyms Used in the Safety Plan
Acronym Word or Phrase
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
ARC Accident Review Committee
ASP Agency Safety Plan
BTW Behind-the-Wheel
CBA Collective Bargaining Agreement
CDL Commercial Driver’s License
CEO Chief Executive Officer
CPO Chief People Officer
DOT Department of Transportation
DUI Driving Under the Influence
DWI Driving While Intoxicated
ESC Executive Safety Committee
Visalia Transit
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EXCO Executive Council
F.O.R.M. First Occupational Rehabilitation Management
FTA Federal Transit Administration
GM General Manager
HR Human Resources
KPI Key Performance Indicator
LGM General Manager
LOTO Lock-Out/Tag-Out
LSM Location Safety Manager
MIL-STD Military Standard
MNT Maintenance
OPS Operations
OSHA Occupational Safety & Health Administration
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
PRM Performance Review Management
PTASP Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
SM Safety Manager
SMS Safety Management System
SOP Standard Operating Procedure
SRC Safety Resource Center
SST Safety Solutions Team
SVP Senior Vice President
TAPTCO Transit and Paratransit Company
UK United Kingdom
VP Vice President
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