Public Review of Draft Documents

APTA invites all stakeholders to review and comment on draft documents in development.  The APTA Standards Development Program publishes documents through a consensus-based process and the public review period is a critical part of the development process.

The current review period starts November 2, and ends on December 2. 

Commenting Instructions

View the latest set of documents in development by APTA’s working groups. Reviewers may submit comments as often as they like during the review period. Start your review today!

  • Reviewers should scroll down to the bottom of this page
  • Select the name of the document to review more details, download or provide a comment
  • Select Document Actions to “Add a Comment”
  • Comments are accepted from APTA members or nonmembers
  • Reviewers should contact Standards@apta.com if you experience any problems with providing your inputs
  • For additional guidance download this Step-by-Step Guide. 
Title Category Working Group Description
Rulebook Development and Review Rail Transit Systems Operating Practices Working Group This standard provides guidance for the development of a transit operating system rulebook introduction and provides suggested approaches for rulebook issuance and authority.
Rail Transit Accident/Incident Notification and Investigation Requirements Rail Transit Systems Operating Practices Working Group This standard provides a common framework for rail transit agencies to develop accident/incident investigation plans. Additional recommendations on how rail transit agencies should implement the policies and procedures contained in the plan required by this standard are given in the informative Appendix A.
Operations Control Centers Rail Transit Systems Operating Practices Working Group This standard provides guidance for the development and operation of rail transit agency operations control centers.
Operations Personnel Requirements in New Rail Transit Projects Rail Transit Systems Operating Practices Working Group This standard provides minimum requirements for the participation of a rail operation’s subject matter experts within a rail transit agency and/or an operations and maintenance contractor. Rail operations personnel are required in order to provide input and guidance in any rail project that impacts a rail transit agency’s operations and maintenance activities. As used in this standard, “operations” refers directly to operations and maintenance activities within an operating or new rail transit system.
Fatigue Management Program Requirements Rail Transit Systems Operating Practices Working Group This document provides standard requirements for rail transit agencies in establishing and implementing a fatigue management program and related systems.
Highway–Rail Transit Grade Crossing Warning Device Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Rail Transit Systems Rail Grade Crossing Working Group This standard prescribes minimum requirements for inspecting, testing and maintaining highway–rail grade crossing warning devices installed and maintained on rail transit systems.
Train-to-Wayside Communication System Inspection and Testing Rail Transit Systems Signals and Communications Working Group This recommended practice provides guidelines for inspecting and testing rail transit signal system train-to-wayside communication systems.
Wayside Intrusion Detection System Inspection and Testing Rail Transit Systems Signals and Communications Working Group This standard provides procedures for inspecting and testing rail transit wayside intrusion detection systems.
Radio Communication System Inspection and Testing Rail Transit Systems Signals and Communications Working Group This standard provides procedures for inspecting and testing rail transit radio communication systems.
Suspension of Service of a Public Transportation System and Recovery Security &  Emergency Management Security Emergency Management Working Group This recommended practice identifies suspension of service and recovery strategies for transit agencies to employ in the event of security or safety concerns, such as an imminent security threat, terrorist acts, major safety hazard, extreme weather, natural disasters or other conditions identified by the agency.
Transit Climate Resilience Guidelines Sustainability & Urban Design Urban Design Working Group These guidelines are a compendium of climate resilience strategies for designing and operating transit to reduce transit’s risk to climate hazards such as flooding, sea level rise, extreme heat, extreme cold and wildfire.