April 2000
This list, prepared by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Technology, contains some of the existing published standards, regulations, guidance, and related documents that are applicable to transit design. The list is alphabetical by name of Standards Development Organization. FTA, FRA, and state regulations are also listed at the end of this section.
This list is only meant to help readers understand which standards exist. APTA does not have and APTA does not supply standards which are published by other organizations. If you wish to order a publication, please contact the organization directly.
American National Standards Institute
Basic Requirements for Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Containers
NGV-1 - Fueling Connection Devices
PRD-1 – Pressure Relief Devices
NGV-2 – Natural Gas Vehicle Fuel Containers
NGV3.1 – Fuel System Components for Natural Gas Powered Vehicles
American Public Transportation Association
Standard Bus Procurement Guidelines (The SBPG are intended to supersede the Baseline
Advanced Design Transit Coach Specification or "White Book," which was developed
in 1977 for the Federal Transit Administration).
Guidelines for the Design of Rapid Transit Facilities
Elevator and Escalator Guideline Specifications
Joint Trackwork/Electrical Design Guidelines
"Moving People Safely"
Rail Safety Audit Program
Commuter Rail Safety Management Program
Bus Safety Management Program
APTA also distributes TCRP reports, some of which represent "best practices"
for transit design
APTA Passenger Rail Equipment Safety Standards
List of Standards and Recommended Practices Approved by PRESS Task Force
Number |
Title |
| APTA RP-M-001-97 |
Recommended Practice for Air Connections for Passenger Cars |
| APTA RP-M-001-98 |
Recommended Practice for Passenger Car Axle Design |
| APTA RP-M-002-98 |
Recommended Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Type
H-Tightlock Couplers |
| APTA RP-M-003-98 |
Recommended Practice for Purchase and Acceptance of Type
H-Tightlock Couplers and Coupler Parts |
| APTA RP-M-004-98 |
Recommended Practice for Secondhand and Reconditioned Type
H-Tightlock Couplers and Coupler Parts |
| APTA SS-M-005-98 |
Code of Tests for Passenger Car Equipment Using Single Car
Testing Device |
| APTA SS-M-006-98 |
Standard for Parking Brakes for New Passenger Locomotives |
| APTA SS-M-007-98 |
Standard for Conductor’s Valve—New Passenger Car/MU
Locomotive |
| APTA RP-M-009-98 REV1 |
Recommended Practice for New Truck Design Process |
| APTA RP-M-010-98 |
Recommended Practice Derailment Investigation Report |
| APTA SS-M-011-99 |
Standard for Compressed Air Quality for Passenger Locomotive
and Car Equipment |
| APTA SS-M-012-99 |
Standard for Wrought Steel Wheels for Passenger Cars and
Locomotives |
| APTA SS-PS-001-98 |
Standard for Passenger Railroad Emergency Communications |
| APTA SS-PS-002-98 Rev1 |
Standard for Emergency Signage Egress/Ingress of Passenger
Rail Equipment |
| APTA SS-PS-003-98 |
Standard for Emergency Evacuation Units |
| APTA SS-PS-004-99 |
Standard for Low-Location Exit Path Marking |
| APTA RP-I&M-001-98 |
Recommended Practice for Battery System Periodic Inspection
and Maintenance |
| APTA RP-I&M-002-98 |
Recommended Practice for Development Model for Railcar
Technical Documentation |
| APTA RP-I&M-003-98 |
Recommended Practice for Door System Periodic Inspection and
Maintenance # |
| APTA SS-I&M-004-98 |
Standard for Handbrake Inspection and Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-005-98 |
Standard for Passenger Compartment Periodic Inspection and
Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-006-98 |
Standard for Draft Gear Periodic Inspection and Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-007-98 |
Standard for Car Body Exterior Periodic Inspection and
Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-008-98 |
Standard for Electrical Periodic Inspection and Maintenance
of Passenger Coaches |
| APTA SS-I&M-009-98 |
Standard for Tread Brake Shoes and Disc Brake Pad Periodic
Inspection and Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-010-98 |
Standard for Brake Disc Periodic Inspection and Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-011-98 |
Standard for Tread Brake Unit and Brake Cylinder Periodic
Inspection and Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-012-98 |
Standard for Truck and Suspension Periodic Inspection and
Maintenance |
| APTA SS-I&M-013-99 |
Standard for Periodic Inspection and Maintenance of Passenger
Coaches |
| APTA RP-C&S-001-98 |
Recommended Practice for Passenger Equipment Roof Emergency
Access |
| APTA SS-C&S-002-98 |
Standard for Static Strength of Attachment of Major Equipment
to the Car Body Structure of Railroad Passenger Equipment |
| APTA RP-C&S-003-98 |
Recommended Practice for Developing a Clearance Diagram for
Passenger Equipment |
| APTA SS-C&S-004-98 |
Standard for Austenitic Stainless Steel for Railroad
Passenger Equipment Welded Structure |
| APTA SS-C&S-005-98 |
Standard for Car Body End Compressive Strength for Railroad
Passenger Vehicles |
| APTA SS-C&S-006-98 |
Standard for Attachment Strength of Interior Fittings to
Passenger Railroad Equipment |
| APTA SS-C&S-007-98 |
Standard for Fuel Tank Integrity |
| APTA SS-C&S-008-98 |
Standard for Truck to Car Body Attachment Strength |
| APTA SS-C&S-010-98 |
Standard for Car Body Roof Strength |
| APTA SS-C&S-011-98 |
Standard for Crew Cab Seating Design and Performance |
| APTA RP-C&S-012-99 |
Recommended Practice for Passenger Car Door Systems |
| APTA SS-C&S-013-99 |
Standard for Corner Post Structural Requirements for Railroad
Passenger Equipment |
| APTA SS-C&S-014-99 |
Standard for Collision Post Structural Requirements for
Railroad Passenger Equipment |
| APTA SS-C&S-015-99 |
Standard for Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys for Passenger Car
Body Construction |
| APTA SS-C&S-016-99 |
Standard for Seating in Commuter Rail Cars |
| APTA SS-C&S-018-99 |
Standard for Car Body Side Strength for Railroad Passenger
Equipment |
| APTA SS-E-001-98 |
Standard for Insulation Integrity |
| APTA RP-E-002-98 |
Recommended Practice for Wiring Practices for Passenger
Rolling Stock |
| APTA RP-E-003-98 |
Recommended Practice for Load Testing of Diesel Engines |
| APTA RP-E-004-98 |
Recommended Practice Gap and Creepage Distance |
| APTA SS-E-005-98 |
Standard for Grounding and Bonding |
| APTA RP-E-006-98 |
Recommended Practice for Dynamic Brake Control for Passenger
Locomotives |
| APTA RP-E-007-98-Rev1 |
Recommended Practice for Storage Batteries and Battery
Compartments |
| APTA RP-E-009-98 |
Recommended Practice for Wire Used on Passenger Rolling Stock |
| APTA SS-E-010-98 |
Standard for the Development of an Electromagnetic
Compatibility Plan |
| APTA RP-E-011-98 |
Recommended Practice for Head End Power Load Testing |
| APTA RP-E-012-99 |
Recommended Practice for Normal Lighting Design |
| APTA SS-E-013-99 |
Standard for Emergency Lighting |
| APTA RP-E-014-99 |
Recommended Practice for Diesel Electric Passenger Locomotive
Blended Brake Control |
American Society of Civil Engineers
ASCE 21-96 Automated People Standards – Part 1 (1997) This standard
establishes the minimum set of requirements necessary requirements for the design,
construction, operation, and maintenance of APM systems. It establishes the minimum set of
requirements necessary to achieve an acceptable level of safety and performance.
ASCE also publishes guidelines covering aspects of transit facility design, including:
1982 Design, Construction and Rehabilitation of Public Transit Facilities
1990 Light Transit Systems
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Standards committees relevant to transit design include:
A18 Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts
Rail Transit Vehicles (RT)
A17 Elevators and Escalators
FTA Publications
Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Alcohol Fuel (Methanol and Ethanol)
as an Alternative Fuel (DOT-FTA-MA-26-7021-96-3)
Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Compressed Natural Gas as an
Alternative Fuel (DOT-FTA-MA-26-7021-96-1)
Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Hydrogen as an Alternative Fuel
(DOT-FTA-MA-26-7021-98-1)
Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Liquefied Natural Gas as an Alternative
Fuel (DOT-FTA-MA-26-7021-97-1)
Design Guidelines for Bus Transit Systems Using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as an
Alternative Fuel (DOT-FTA-MA-26-7021-96-4)
Detail Specification for State-of-the-Art Car (IT-06-0026-73-2)
Guideline Specification for Urban Rail Cars (IT-06-0027-1) (Published in 1973, year not
included in official document number)
Inductive Interference in Rapid Transit Signaling Systems: Vol 1: Theory and Background
(UMTA-MA-06-0153-85-7)
Inductive Interference in Rapid Transit Signaling Systems: Vol 2: Suggested Test
Procedures (UMTA-MA-06-0153-85-8)
Initial Interface Standards for Rapid Transit Car Subsystems
(UMTA-IT-06-0175-81-2)
Light Rail Transit Car Specification Guide (UMTA-MA-06-0025-81-4)
Market-Based Transit Facility Design (DOT-T-89-12)
Radiated Interference in Rapid Transit Systems: Vol 1: Theory and Data
(UMTA-MA-06-0153-85-10)
Radiated Interference in Rapid Transit Systems: Vol 2: Suggested Test Procedures
(UMTA-MA-06-0153-85-11)
Seismic Awareness: Transportation Facilities (DOT-VNTSC-OST-93-2)
Study of Subway Station Design and Construction (UMTA-MA-06-0025-77-6)
Transit Industry Core Technical Specifications for the Procurement of Rapid Railcars
(UMTA-IT-06-0175-81-3)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
1473-1999 IEEE Standard for Communications Protocol Aboard Trains
1474.1-1999 IEEE Standard for Communications-Based Train control (CBTC) Performance and
Functional Requirements
1475-1999 IEEE Standard for the Functioning of and Interfaces Among Propulsion,
Friction Brake, and Train-borne Master Control on Rail Rapid Transit Vehicles
1476 IEEE Standard for Passenger Train Auxiliary Power Systems Interface
1477-1998 IEEE Standard for Passenger Information System for Rail Transit Vehicles
P1478 IEEE Standard for Environmental Conditions for Transit Rail Car Electronic
Equipment
1482.1-1999 IEEE Standard for Rail Transit Vehicle Event Recorders
1483-2000 IEEE Standard for the Verification of Vital Functions in Processor-Based
Systems Used in Rail Transit Control
11-1999 IEEE Standard for Rotating Machinery for Rail and Road Vehicles
International Standards Organization/Technical Committee 22 ("Road
Vehicles")/SubCommittee 15
ISO 4086:1982 Road vehicles – 90 semi-trailer fifth wheel coupling pin --
Basic and mounting/interchangeability dimensions
ISO 7467:1987 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Cylindrical shaft ends and hubs for
alternators
ISO 7646:1986 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Gearbox flanges -- Type A
ISO 7647:1986 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Gearbox flanges -- Type S
ISO 7648:1987 Flywheel housings for reciprocating internal combustion engines --
Nominal dimensions and tolerances
ISO 7649:1991 Clutch housings for reciprocating internal combustion engines -- Nominal
dimensions and tolerances
ISO 7650:1987 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Mounting dimensions for starter motors
of types 1, 2, 3 and 4
ISO 7651:1991 Commercial vehicles et buses -- Mounting dimensions for alternators of
types 1, 2 and 3
ISO 7652:1983 Road vehicles -- Base-mounted air compressors, single cylinder V-belt
drive -- Mounting dimensions
ISO 7653:1985 Road vehicles -- Commercial vehicles -- Couplings between power take-offs
(PTO) and ancillary driven units
ISO 7706:1985 Road vehicles -- Commercial vehicles -- Clearance envelope for power
take-offs (PTO)
ISO 7707:1986 Commercial road vehicles -- Connections for rear-mounted power take-offs
(PTO)
ISO 7803:1987 Commercial road vehicles -- Steering ball joints
ISO 7804:1985 Commercial road vehicles -- Side openings for truck power take-offs
ISO 8123:1991 Road vehicles -- Diametral pitch starter motor pinions
ISO 8667:1992 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Cross-tooth gearbox flanges, type T
ISO 8716:1988 Commercial road vehicles -- Fifth wheel coupling pins -- Strength tests
ISO 8717:1988 Commercial road Vehicles -- Fifth wheel couplings -- Strength tests
ISO/DIS 8717 Commercial road vehicles -- Fifth wheel couplings -- Strength tests
ISO 8718:1988 Commercial road vehicles -- Drawbar couplings and eyes for hinged
drawbars -- Strength test
ISO 8719:1986 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Four-hole flanges for gear-driven air
compressors
ISO 8755:1986 Commercial road vehicles -- Mechanical connections between towing
vehicles and trailers -- 40 mm drawbar
coupling
ISO 9457-1:1991 Road vehicles -- Metric starter motor pinions -- Part 1: Currently used
pinions
ISO 9457-2:1994 Road vehicles -- Metric starter motor pinions -- Part 2: Pinions with
20 degree pressure angle
ISO 11055:1996 Flywheels for reciprocating internal combustion engines -- Installation
dimensions for clutches
ISO 11406:1993 Commercial road vehicles -- Mechanical coupling between towing vehicles
with rear-mounted coupling and
drawbar trailers -- Interchangeability
ISO 11407:1993 Commercial road vehicles -- Mechanical coupling between towing vehicles
with coupling mounted forward and
below, and centre-axle trailers -- Interchangeability
ISO/DIS 12357 Commercial road vehicles -- Drawbar couplings and eyes for rigid drawbars
-- Strength tests
ISO 12667:1993 Commercial vehicles and buses -- Cross-tooth propeller shaft flanges,
type T
National Fire Protection Association
NFPA 30A: Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages, 1996
Edition
NFPA 52: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Vehicular Fuel Systems Code, 1998 Edition
NFPA 57: Standard for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Fuel Systems, 1996 Edition
NFPA 58: Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, 1998 Edition
NFPA 59A: Standard for the Production, Storage, and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG). 1996 Edition
NFPA 88A: Standard for Parking Structures, 1998 Edition
NFPA 88B: Standard for Repair Garages, 1997 Edition
NFPA 101B: Code for Means of Egress for Buildings and Structures, 1999 Edition
NFPA 130: Standard for Fixed Guideway Transit Systems
NFPA 496: Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment, 1998
Edition
Society of Automotive Engineers
The Society of Automotive Engineers has half a dozen committees developing Truck
and Bus design and safety standards. SAE itself is nearly a century old, and the list of
published standards titles is too long to list here. Some representative examples include:
Document Number: J1708
Date Published: October, 1993
Title: Serial Data Communications Between Microcomputer Systems in Heavy-Duty Vehicle
Applications
Scope: This SAE Recommended Practice document defines a recommended practice for
implementing a bidirectional, serial communication link among modules containing
microcomputers.
Document Number: J1587
Date Published: March, 1996
Title: Joint SAE/TMC Electronic Data Interchange Between Microcomputer Systems in
Heavy-Duty Vehicle Applications
Scope: This SAE Recommended Practice defines a document for the format of messages and
data that is of general value to modules on the data communications link
Document Number: J1455
Title: Joint SAE/TMC Recommended Environmental Practices for Electronic Equipment
Design (Heavy-Duty Trucks)
Scope: The climatic, dynamic, and electrical environments from natural and
vehicle-induced sources that influence the performance and reliability of vehicle and
tractor/trailer electronic components, are included in this SAE Recommended Practice. Test
methods that can be used to simulate these environmental conditions are also included.
Document Number: J1404
Title: Service Brake Structural Integrity Requirements—Vehicles Over 10 000 lb
(4500 kg) GVWR
Scope: The requirements in this SAE Recommended Practice represent the
accumulation of the best information available from investigation of the brake system
performance of new motor vehicles designed for roadway use. This SAE Recommended
Practice presents requirements for the structural integrity of the brake system of all
new trucks, buses, and combination of vehicles designed for roadway use and falling into
the following classifications: Truck and Bus: Over 4500 kg (10 000 lb) GVWR; Combination
of Vehicles: Towing vehicle over 4500 kg (10 000 lb) GVWR. The requirements are based on
data obtained from SAE J294 JAN93.
Document Number: J360
Title: Truck and Bus Grade Parking Performance Test Procedure
Scope: This SAE Recommended Practice establishes methods to determine grade parking
performance with respect to: Ability of the parking brake system to lock the braked
wheels; The vehicle holding or sliding on the grade, fully loaded or unloaded; Applied
manual effort; Unburnished or burnished brake lining friction conditions; Down and up
grade directions. This document establishes a uniform procedure for determining the
parking performance on a grade by the parking brake systems of new trucks and buses over
4540 kg.
Regulations:
California Public Utilities Commission
Safety Regulations Governing Light Rail Transit
Regulations Governing the Protection of Crossings at Grade of Roads, Highways, and
Streets with Railroads
Regulations Governing the Construction, Reconstruction, Maintenance and Operation of
Automatic Train Control Systems with Respect to Train Detection and Separation, Route
Interlocking, Speed Enforcement, and Right of Way Hazard Protection on Rapid Transit
Systems
FHWA Regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations
The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices is incorporated by reference in 23
CFR Part 655, subpart F. Part 8 of the MUTCD is Traffic Control Systems for
Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings.
FTA Regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations
49 CFR PARTS 27, 37, 38 Transportation for People with Disabilities
49CFR 609 Transportation for Elderly and Handicapped Persons
49CFR 613 Planning Assistance and Standards
49CFR 614 Transportation Infrastructure Management
49CFR 622 Environmental Impact and Related Procedures
49CFR 659 Rail Fixed Guideway Systems; State Safety Oversight
49CFR 665 Bus Testing
FRA Regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations
49CFR 209 Railroad safety enforcement procedures
49CFR 210 Railroad noise emission compliance regulations
49CFR 211 Rules of practice
49CFR 212 State safety participation regulations
49CFR 213 Track safety standards
49CFR 214 Railroad workplace safety
49CFR 216 Special notice and emergency order procedures: Railroad track, locomotive and
equipment
49CFR 217 Railroad operating rules
49CFR 218 Railroad operating practices
49CFR 219 Control of alcohol and drug use
49CFR 220 Railroad communications (Eff. Jan. 4, 1999)
49CFR 220 Radio standards and procedures (Eff. until Jan. 4, 1999)
49CFR 221 Rear end marking device--passenger, commuter and freight trains
49CFR 223 Safety glazing standards--locomotives, passenger cars and cabooses
49CFR 225 Railroad accidents/incidents: Reports classification, and investigations
49CFR 228 Hours of service of railroad employees
49CFR 229 Railroad locomotive safety standards
49CFR 230 Locomotive inspection
49CFR 231 Railroad safety appliance standards
49CFR 232 Railroad power brakes and drawbars
49CFR 233 Signal systems reporting requirements
49CFR 234 Grade crossing signal system safety
49CFR 235 Instructions governing applications for approval of a discontinuance or
material modification of a signal system or relief from the requirements of part 236
49CFR 236 Rules, standards, and instructions governing the installation, inspection,
maintenance, and repair of signal and train control systems, devices, and appliances
49CFR 239 Passenger train emergency preparedness
49CFR 240 Qualification and certification of locomotive engineers
NHTSA Regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations
All NHTSA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) are in 49 CFR 571.
Subparts of 49CFR571 include:
571.101 Standard No. 101; Controls and displays.
571.102 Standard No. 102; Transmission shift lever sequence, starter
interlock, and transmission braking effect.
571.103 Standard No. 103; Windshield defrosting and defogging systems.
571.104 Standard No. 104; Windshield wiping and washing systems.
571.104 Standard No. 104; Windshield wiping and washing systems.
571.105 Standard No. 105; Hydraulic and electric brake systems.
571.106 Standard No. 106; Brake hoses.
571.108 Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated
equipment.
571.111 Standard No. 111; Rearview mirrors.
571.113 Standard No. 113; Hood latch system.
571.116 Standard No. 116; Motor vehicle brake fluids.
571.117 Standard No. 117; Retreaded pneumatic tires.
571.118 Standard No. 118; Power-operated window, partition, and roof
panel systems.
571.119 Standard No. 119; New pneumatic tires for vehicles other than
passenger cars.
571.120 Standard No. 120; Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles
other than passenger cars.
571.121 Standard No. 121; Air brake systems.
571.124 Standard No. 124; Accelerator control systems.
571.125 Standard No. 125; Warning devices.
571.131 Standard No. 131; School bus pedestrian safety devices.
571.201 Standard No. 201; Occupant protection in interior impact.
571.202 Standard No. 202; Head restraints.
571.203 Standard No. 203; Impact protection for the driver from the
steering control system.
571.204 Standard No. 204; Steering control rearward displacement.
571.205 Standard No. 205, Glazing materials.
571.207 Standard No. 207; Seating systems.
571.208 Standard No. 208; Occupant crash protection.
571.212 Standard No. 212; Windshield mounting.
571.216 Standard No. 216; Roof crush resistance.
571.217 Standard No. 217; Bus emergency exits and window retention
and release.
571.219 Standard No. 219; Windshield zone intrusion.
571.220 Standard No. 220; School bus rollover protection.
571.221 Standard No. 221; School bus body joint strength.
571.222 Standard No. 222; School bus passenger seating and crash
protection.
571.223 Standard No. 223; Rear impact guards.
571.224 Standard No. 224; Rear impact protection.
571.301 Standard No. 301; Fuel system integrity.
571.302 Standard No. 302; Flammability of interior materials.
571.303 Standard No. 303; Fuel system integrity of compressed natural
gas vehicles.
571.304 Standard No. 304; Compressed natural gas fuel container
integrity.
Coast Guard Regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations
33 CFR Navigation and Navigable Waters and 46 CFR Shipping Regulations are the
volumes of the CFR applicable to vessels. Regulations applicable to passenger vessels are
applicable to ferries. Applicable sections of the relevant volumes include:
33 CFR 120 Security of passenger vessels
33 CFR 128 Security of passenger terminals
33 CFR 143 Design and equipment
33 CFR 144 Lifesaving appliances
33 CFR 145 Fire-fighting equipment
33 CFR 147 Safety zones
33 CFR 149 Design, construction, and equipment
46 CFR 46 Subdivision load lines for passenger vessels
46 CFR 133 Lifesaving systems
46 CFR 134 Added provisions for liftboats
46 CFR 171 Special rules pertaining to vessels carrying passengers
Appendix B – Acronyms
APTA – American Public Transportation Association
ASCE – American Society of Civil Engineers
ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
Engineers
ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials
FHWA – Federal Highway Administration
FRA – Federal Rail Administration
IEEE – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
ISO – International Standards Organization
NGVC – Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition
NFPA- National Fire Protection Association
NHTSA – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers
SDO – Standards Development Organization
TCRP – Transit Cooperative Research Program
TSC – Transit Standards Consortium
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