The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a proposed update to the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program regulation that would build upon existing training requirements for safety professionals in rail transit agencies and ensure that the training curriculum is more responsive to evolving industry needs.

The proposed changes in the NPRM would expand refresher training requirements for mandatory participants and allow for greater flexibility in the curriculum to address changing industry training needs. The NPRM would also streamline administrative requirements to help ensure individuals who serve in designated roles are enrolled in the program and complete training requirements on time.

With the goal of a well-crafted, impactful rule, FTA is seeking public comment for rail transit and state safety oversight agency personnel to help maintain effective, ongoing safety training for the industry. FTA’s proposed changes to the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program regulation would expand training requirements and streamline administrative processes. The proposed changes to the training program were published today in the Federal Register in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

The certification training program sets requirements for safety professionals in rail transit agencies, such as workers in agency safety departments and oversight functions and staff at state safety oversight agencies. The NPRM builds upon the FTA Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program Final Rule, which established a uniform curriculum for safety oversight training by including minimum requirements to enhance the technical proficiency of those who conduct safety audits and examinations and those directly responsible for safety oversight. This program complements safety training requirements for rail and bus transit workers in the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans regulation.

-via Press Release