Rail Awards – Gold
Award: Rail COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Light Rail/Street Car
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)
In March 2020, the leadership at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SD MTS) responded to the growing COVID-19 pandemic quickly and decisively. SD MTS increased sanitizing efforts and implemented programs to keep agency employees safe, along with maintaining high service levels for the public. Back in 2017 when there was a Hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego, SD MTS had a Clean Ride Safely campaign in place, so SD MTS only had to expand upon this initiative with the additional practices and recommendations put forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). SD MTS cleaned their trains and buses more frequently and used new ways to keep the system safe and fully sanitized for passengers. For riders, SD MTS provided masks and hand sanitizers for passengers to use while onboard the SD MTS system. They also provided handwashing stations at all Trolley stations as well as select transit centers. In addition, SD MTS added longer trains on the system to help with social distancing and to provided larger physical distances between passengers. Overall, SD MTS’s response to COVID-19 included measures for enhancing safety and health practices throughout the system, and to ensure the safety of SD MTS’s workers and passengers.
Award: Rail COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Heavy Rail
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA)
Through their Rail COVID-19 response program, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) implemented ways to keep high traffic areas sanitized, along with implementing additional safety measures at their property. GCRTA purchased Moonbeam3 disinfection technology which allows surfaces to be cleaned in only 90 seconds. This was used to clean where chemicals cannot, such as keyboards, radios, etc. The Moonbeam3 was also used to keep sanitized masks that employees use and fully sanitized them within 5 minutes. GCRTA also made cleaning of high traffic areas a priority, and this was done when there was low traffic to ensure that the areas and surfaces got the most thorough cleaning when there is zero interruption by passengers coming through. GCRTA utilized technology to keep surfaces clean for their workers and riders, along with implementing CDC standards for safety and health.
Award: Rail COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Commuter/Intercity Rail
Trinity Metro
In late February 2020, Trinity Metro began meeting daily to begin efforts in reducing exposure to COVID-19 for both employees and riders. Plans included implementation of safe operations, clear communications agency-wide, and reduced risk of contact for all. By mid-February 2020, very early on in the pandemic, Metro Trinity had already conducted two weeks of planning and preparation for how to respond to a potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. They did this by reaching out and coordinating with the local Tarrant County Public Health Department and the Fort Worth Office of Emergency Management. In addition, Trinity Metro developed Coronavirus Reduced Exposure Action steps agency-wide, which included steps on how to communicate, improvement of training on cleaning for vehicles and shelters/stations, and how to obtain the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Further, Trinity Metro implemented social distancing on vehicles and in stations; rolled out temperature screenings for employees; and handed out masks, gloves, face shields, and hand sanitizers to employees and riders upon request. Trinity Metro’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic created effective measures that helped to keep both workers and riders safe.
Award: Rail Safety
Member Type & Size: Commuter/Intercity Rail
MTA Metro-North Railroad
The MTA Metro-North Railroad implemented a new safety system that provides Power Directors (PD) and Rail Traffic Controllers (RTC) a way to block a segment of de-energized tracks electronically, thus ensuring that the electrical work will be done safely. Prior to this installation, this was done manually, and the process was both lengthy and fallible. This new system only allows the PD to be able to re-activate the plates, but the RTC must either approve or deny the work to be done initially. The work done is recorded and is transparent between both the RTC and PD. POPS, which is a computer-based program, allows only for the restriction to be on the deenergized areas, leaving two tracks out of service. POPS eliminates mis-routed trains from getting close to the de-energized tracks, which protects the employees working in the limits that are deenergized (and thus creates a much safer environment for track workers and those working on the right-of-way) Since the implementation of POPS, there have been zero violations from 2020-2021 with a total of 15,793 plate orders. With the new system, RTC’s can now view previous orders, train movement, and stations graphically and makes it easier to decide if the work can be done or not safely in a certain area. With these changes, it has led the MTA Metro-North Railroad to have a much safer and well-integrated system for railroad employees. This system is also very innovative and can be emulated by other railroads and rail transit properties in the future.
Award: Rail Safety
Member Type & Size: Light Rail/Street Car
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
To improve safety on their system, The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) created an agency safety plan, along with establishing four cross-functional working groups to address any findings and recommendations. These cross functional work groups will address findings and recommendations to the agency’s safety panel. In addition, on the MBTA Green Line, there have been mitigations implemented to help with the issues of speeding. These mitigations include: better communication with operators regarding the importance of speed hazards, along with updating schedules and speed signs that more accurately reflect the system conditions on the green line. Digital speed signs were also added in certain tunnel locations to display how fast a train is moving. The final safety mitigation implemented by the MBTA is a RADAR and LIDAR audit program, to keep speeds monitored in key locations during various times of operation. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has implemented these safety improvements and mitigations to help keep employees and customers safe all along the green line and other parts of the MBTA rail network.
Award: Rail Security
Member Type & Size: Light Rail/Street Car
Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT)
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) encountered many marches, protests, and demonstrations last year as a result of providing transit services in California’s state capitol. SacRT created an Ops Emergency Response Team to be able to monitor the events as they occurred and provide real-time intelligence to various departments and agencies. This allowed SacRT and other regional transit agencies to anticipate changes, analyze whether protests were supposed to be peaceful, the time, location, and date a protest would take place; and how large a protest was anticipated to be. Light rail vehicles were moved from the normal staging area located at the 13th Street and Sacramento Valley Stations. This helped to protect SacRT employees, assets and conveyances. When intelligence or information was received, SacRT would relay the information through social media, the Alert SacRT app, district websites, on light rail station electronic sign boards, and on the public address system. SacRT utilized a comprehensive camera system to provide real time information which allowed for a nimble service plan. Using FTA and APTA resources and guidance, working closely with the city police department, conducting drills and exercises, activating the emergency operations center and leveraging partnerships, SacRT proved effective in securing SacRT employees, passengers, assets, and conveyances which resulted in no injuries or damage while supporting the demonstrations and marches that occurred.
Award: Rail Security
Member Type & Size: Light Rail/Street Car
Société de transport de Montreal (STM)
The Société de transport de Montreal (STM) began partnering with a community organization called the Société de développement social (SDS) in 2012, on an initiative to create a service point for persons who are unsheltered and frequent STM stations. This initiative allows STM to benefit from the expertise of social workers who provide a service point near a downtown station where people can receive services such as food, clothing, social and cultural assistance. Since the implementation of this program, the number of interventions has increased from 430 to 8,600 per year, and more than 1,100 people have benefited from the support offered by the SDS team. An additional social worker was added to the winter intervention plan which is deployed every year. In mid-November 2020, STM created a new team consisting of an STM inspector and a social worker. This team, called the Metro Intervention and Cooperation Team (MICT), seeks to facilitate the harmonious existence of business owners, STM employees, passengers and the unsheltered community. The intervention team’s presence in stations adds to the safety of employees, businesses and a vulnerable population. By leveraging improved communication, STM inspectors and police officers along with the social services provided by community organizations, have increased safety and security on the STM system and reduced misconduct.
Bus Awards – Gold
Award: Bus COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually
City of Gardena (GTrans)
At the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the City of Gardena (GTrans) quickly focused on the wellbeing, health and safety of its staff. Shift schedules were reconfigured due to the reduction in service levels, thus allowing GTrans to keep its workers minimally exposed. GTrans divided full-time workers into two groups: one group completed assignments for a week, while the other would be at home quarantined to ensure minimal exposure. Part-time workers were also placed into groups following the same one week on, one week off rotation. GTrans partnered with the city and emergency personnel teams to distribute PPE kits to its workers, including masks, gloves, and disinfectants. Chains were installed on every other seat in buses to ensure proper distancing was maintained. In addition, barriers were installed to keep riders separate from the operators. GTrans also purchased disinfecting fogging machines to help clean common areas daily and disinfect buses every night. Bus filters were changed out to MERV-13 filters to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. All of these measures, including attaining PPE supplies for operators and implementation of CDC recommendations (from social distancing to mask wearing) were positive steps in keeping operators and riders safe during the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Award: Bus COVID-19
Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually
Metrolinx (GO Transit)
At the beginning of the Coronavirus Pandemic, Metrolinx (GO Transit) ensured that its employees would have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and would never have to work without the proper protection. The PPE distributed to employees included fabric face coverings, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes. Metrolinx also distributed reminders for social distancing and instructions on proper hand washing techniques. Touch-point cleaning occurred multiple times per day. In the rare event of a positive COVID-19 case, deep cleaning took place to minimize the risk. Barriers were installed on Metrolinx’s buses to keep operators separate from passengers. In addition, the front row of seats were blocked off to give even more space between the operator and passengers. Metrolinx also setup vending machines for customers to buy face coverings. In the event of any positive employee COVID cases, emails would be sent out to keep all workers informed. Overall, Metrolinx’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including cleaning multiple times per day, making PPE readily available to employees and keeping employees informed was ideal in dealing with the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Award: Bus COVID-19
Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro)
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) created several measures that were focused on keeping agency employees safe. A COVID-19 Taskforce was activated to ensure guidelines were being enforced. In addition, LA Metro reviewed pandemic intelligence information and ensured that best practices were being implemented. Further, LA Metro acquired PPE for its employees, which consisted of both reusable and single use masks, face shields, disposable gloves, protective gowns and suits, shoe guards, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray products approved by the EPA. Rear boarding was implemented on the agency’s buses and safety barriers were installed on all buses. A policy of masks being worn both by the employees and customers was also strictly enforced early on. LA Metro also installed mask dispenser units on all buses and bus terminals along with hand sanitizer stations throughout the system. Since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, LA Metro has implemented the recommended guidelines and has been on the forefront of health and safety which has paid off in protecting its employees and riders alike.
Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually
City of Gardena, CA (G-Trans)
The City of Gardena, CA (G-Trans) implemented many safety programs and procedures over the past year. One of these includes the roll out of quarterly safety meetings for all bus operators. These quarterly safety meetings were created to emphasize the agency’s focus on safety as well as to reduce the number of accidents and provide a forum for safety-related information sharing. In addition, G-Trans introduced a Distracted Driving Program, which is an eight-hour training program that highlights defensive driving techniques. Through this program, G-Trans was able to consistently enforce existing policies, including those pertaining to disciple and retention of operators post-preventable accidents. G-Trans’s SMART course was fully implemented recently. This course is required for bus operators and supervisors and will be taking place annually for 8-hours. G-Trans’s implementation of these new safety programs, policies and procedure has greatly improved the overall safety of the agency’s bus operators and customers alike.
Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and less than 20 million passenger trips annually
METRO Regional Transit Authority
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the METRO Regional Transit Authority installed plexiglass barriers on all buses to help minimalize contact between bus operators and passengers. In addition, METRO conducts quarterly safety campaigns. Topics of these safety campaigns are oriented around the season at the time and common safety incidents in the transit industry, including rear-end collisions, mirror strikes, workplace safety and construction. Further, every two years METRO has bus operators partake in a sensitivity and refresher training, which is scenario-based and includes situational awareness training on the buses. METRO has excelled in keeping bus operators trained on awareness between the difference in common incidents and seasonal incidents. This has helped to keep the operators aware of dangers and inherent hazards on the overall METRO system.
Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually
The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit)
The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) is utilizing the Lytx DriveCam Event Recorder system to monitor the agency’s bus drivers closely and to address any behaviors that could result in an accident before that accident occurs. NJ Transit has put a larger focus on driver training as well as a continuous improvement model in the training of their bus drivers as of late. Since the implementation of this new system, there has been a 70-percent reduction in near collisions from 2010 to 2020. NJ Transit has also been below the national average for more than seven years in regard to the frequency and severity of incidents. With NJ Transit implementing a driver observation method/model, and increasing the focus on training, it has helped improved the safety of NJ Transit’s statewide-bus system.
Award: Bus Safety
Member Type & Size: Private Companies Providing Contracted Service
MTM Transit (Sarasota County)
MTM Transit implemented a safety program to help improve drivers’ abilities while operating vehicles and to prevent unsafe driving. To accomplish this, operators’ dash cameras were reviewed and then provided with a score to rate the safety of operators. The number of incidents at MTM Transit has gone down from over one hundred to just a handful of unsafe incidents over the past year. The agency’s Safety Management System (SMS) was also used to help increase safety by having operators and maintenance workers proactively engaged in the Safety Action Plan. By implementing the SMS and continuing to monitor operators to ensure safe actions are being taken, the overall safety of MTM Transit has been dramatically improved.
Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and less than 20 million passenger trips annually
The METRO Regional Transit Authority has implemented a passenger ban program throughout the system. This has helped to eliminate passengers on buses that cause incidents and trouble. Real-time video surveillance has been installed on METRO buses to allow officers arriving on the scene to have more information and descriptions of the events. In addition, the surveillance system helps to deter security and safety-related incidents from happening on the agency’s buses. Further, monitors were installed on fixed route buses to allow passengers to see what is happening in real-time as well. METRO Regional Transit Authority installing the video surveillance system and allowing the passengers to observe what is happening in real time, along with banning those who break the rules, helps to keep the buses much more safe and secure.
Award: Bus Security
Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) installed and upgraded lighting in over one-thousand bus stop shelters. This project was done to help deter crime throughout the agency’s bus shelters and on the system. Standalone solar powered lights were installed at bus stops where there was no room for a free-standing shelter. In addition, cameras were installed in 2018 on RTC’s buses. This has allowed law enforcement to have a live stream of each bus throughout the system. In 2021, the surveillance systems were upgraded to provide better resolution and to improve video capabilities. By updating the camera systems on buses and installing better lights at the bus stops to help deter crime, RTC has made strides to keep the customers and workers safe.
Rail Awards – Certificates of Merit
Award: Rail COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Light Rail/Street Car
Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro)
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) started developing safeguards and mitigation strategies to help ensure the safety of its riders and employees, shortly after COVID-19 spread to the Houston region in March 2020. Houston Metro pledged to help further protect passengers and employees from COVID-19 by becoming a part of APTA’s Safety and Health Commitments Program. Some of the major things Houston Metro implemented to combat COVID-19 included: enhanced cleaning efforts, social distancing strategies, partnerships with emergency response, and an increase in communication and education campaigns. With Houston Metro’s implementation of APTA’s Health and Safety Commitments along with implementation of other safety-related efforts, the agency increased health and safety for its employees and customers throughout the system.
Award: Rail COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Commuter/Intercity Rail
San Bernadino County Transportation Authority
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the San Bernadino County Transportation Authority used electrostatic sprayers on their train cars. These sprayers mist hospital-grade disinfectant on all areas of trains, including seats, walls, and polls. San Bernadino also installed antimicrobial air filters on all the train cars to ensure that passengers and employees are breathing in safe and clean air. An app/online feature was added for riders called “How Full Is My Train?” This online tool allows riders to see how full the train is before boarding, to ensure the rider can make an informed decision and feel safe when riding a train. San Bernadino County Transportation Authority also implemented CDC recommendations, along with all state and local recommendations as they pertain to COVID-19. The San Bernadino County Transportation Authority response to the COVID-19 pandemic exhibited the agency’s clear dedication to keeping both employees and customers safe while riding the system.
Award: Rail Safety
Member Type & Size: Commuter/Intercity Rail
New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit)
The New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) increased safety on the system by installing a Positive Train Control (PTC) system throughout the State of New Jersey. This installation has helped to reduce accidents due to human error and enforced speed restrictions by engineers and operators. With PTC, real-time information is provided on track conditions and, when necessary, the system will prevent hazardous incidents, including restricting the speed of trains that are traveling through speed-restricted zones. With the implementation of the PTC system, NJ Transit hopes to greatly prevent human error incidents on the statewide commuter rail network.
Award: Rail Safety
Member Type & Size: Light Rail/Street Car
New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) overhauled and upgraded their current safety program, by implementing new and updated comprehensive safety-related processes, tools, and initiatives at the agency. To do this, the RTA implemented a SMS framework promoted by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the State of Louisiana. With the implementation of the agency’s SMS-based Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) requirements, it resulted in a sharp decrease (40%) in automotive liability claims in comparison to the previous year (2019). With the implementation of the SMS and the Agency Safety Plan, the New Orleans RTA showed great improvement in safety, and this produced a sharp decrease in liability claims at the transit agency.
Bus Awards – Certificates of Merit
Award: Bus COVID-19
Member Type & Size: Fewer than 4 million passenger trips annually
Manatee Country Area Transit
In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Manatee Country Area Transit implemented rear-boarding on its buses, obtained PPE for its workers (including operators and mechanics), and conducted daily temperature screenings. Manatee County Area Transit also installed mask dispensers next to the farebox on all buses, for customers to utilize if they did not have a mask with them at the time. Further, plexiglass bio-shield barriers were installed on all transit vehicles to help keep operators safe from exposure to the Coronavirus. In addition, the agency provided cleaning and sanitization equipment to all employees. Manatee County Area Transit’s response to COVID-19 was swift and effective and therefore they are be honored with a certificate of merit for their efforts.
Award: Bus COVID-19
Member Type & Size: More than 4 million and fewer than 20 million passenger trips annually
Palm Tran
During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Palm Tran promoted numerous safety policies, including implementation of a mask mandate, maximum occupancy restrictions, and heightened sanitation/cleaning onboard vehicles. Further, buses are cleaned and disinfected at the beginning and end of all line buses, along with regular spot checks to ensure supplies are well-maintained. Cleaners are also utilized at every transit hub that Palm Tran serves. A Quantum System was installed that allows wheelchair securement to be touchless, thus lessening operator and passenger potential exposure to COVID-19. Ultraviolet filtration systems were also installed to clean the air and help protect against the spread of COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens. Palm Tran’s increase in cleaning, mask mandate and installation of a state-of-the-art air filtration system was a very effective response to combat the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Award: Bus COVID-19
Member Type & Size: More than 20 million passenger trips annually
AC Transit
In March of 2020, in response to the World Health Organization’s pronouncement that the Novel Coronavirus was a global pandemic, AC Transit developed a COVID 19 response program that focused on the safety of employees and riders. The plan involved the commitment and participation from AC Transit’s management team, increased inventory of PPE and strengthened safety measures onboard conveyances and at all AC Transit properties. AC Transit activated its Emergency Operations Center to ensure that they were following the mandates issued by federal, state, and local governments. An Executive Taskforce developed and implemented Standard Operating System Procedures to mitigate the rapidly changing procedures, guidelines and standards that needed to be to be followed. Protective shields were installed on the entire fleet to protect the operators, rider capacity limits were instituted, enhanced disinfecting was introduced, and AC Transit developed a comprehensive communications and engagement campaign. AC Transit installed PPE dispensers on all coaches that offered masks and hand sanitizer. AC Transit’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic employed effective measures to enhance safety and keep workers and riders safe.