The goal of FTA's Safety and Security Program is to achieve the highest practical level of safety and security for all modes of transit. In order to protect passengers, employees, revenues, and property, all transit systems are encouraged to develop and implement a proactive system safety program plan. FTA supports these efforts by developing guidelines and best practices, providing training and by performing system safety analyses and reviews.
This guidebook was prepared with the objective of providing resource information for transit agencies and the FTA regarding the development and implementation of Safety Management Systems (SMS) and Safety Performance Measurement Systems (SPMS). SMS offer the most promising means of preventing public transportation accidents by integrating safety into all aspects of a transit system's activities, from planning to design to construction to operations to maintenance.
FTA has recently issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for its Safety and Security Management Plan (SSMP). An SSMP is a required document that must be prepared by applicants and recipients of FTA funds for major capital projects. The SSMP is part of the Project Management Plan (PMP) and is written to describe how the recipient will address safety and security in the major capital project.