Overview
The Office of System Safety is responsible for guiding the transit industry shift to a Safety Management System (SMS) approach by developing, implementing, and maintaining transit safety policy and rulemaking. Additionally, the office will oversee transit accident investigation and safety data collection.
This office is also responsible for developing and providing technical assistance to transit industry stakeholders.
Lynn Spencer, Director
Lynn Spencer directs the writing of regulations in response to FTA’s new safety authority, overseeing an accident investigation group, developing industry safety management systems training, and leading the development of a first-of its kind risk-based oversight structure for the FTA.
Prior to joining FTA, Lynn led the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Hazard Tracking initiative and worked internal FAA Safety Management System (SMS) policy issues. Also at the FAA, she served as the safety lead for all operational and technical issues related to small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) within the National Airspace System (NAS) and led safety analyses, risk mitigation efforts and the establishment and auditing of monitoring and safety oversight programs for various FAA NextGen initiatives.
Before joining the FAA, Ms. Spencer was self-employed as an author and consultant providing Homeland Security and aviation expertise to various government organizations and agencies. Ms. Spencer previously served as an airline pilot for Continental Express Airlines for nine years.
Ms. Spencer received a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. She is also an FAA certificated Commercial, Instrument, Multi-engine pilot as well as Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Instructor, and Multi-Engine Instructor.