WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration is seeking information that could shape safety rules for public transit workers regarding rail transit Roadway Worker Protection and worker assault prevention.
The agency has issued a formal Request for Information seeking public comment in both areas. A notification in the Federal Register includes information on how to comment, as well as questions and topics to guide such comments from workers, labor unions, railway operators, government entities, and other interested parties.
Roadway Worker Protection programs address safety during tasks such as track inspections, and are designed to protect workers from hazards such as electrified third rails as well as train movements. The National Transportation Safety Board has identified “improving rail worker safety” as a priority item for 2021-22, and noted the FTA’s lack of regulations in this area. The Transit Advisory Committee for Safety included eight safety recommendations in a September 2020 report.
The focus on assault prevention reflects an average annual increase of 17% in such assaults between 2010 and 2020, according to incidents reported to the National Transit Database.
