The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking the input of transit industry personnel, researchers, contractors, government entities, transit users and other interested parties to improve worker safety and security for millions of frontline staff.

FTA has announced a Request for Information (RFI) soliciting public input on potential transit worker safety mitigations, including potential minimum safety standards for Roadway Worker Protection programs and operator assault prevention.

FTA expanded its safety oversight capabilities in 2019, when it established an internal Safety Risk Management (SRM) process to identify, assess, mitigate and monitor safety concerns affecting the transit industry. The SRM process helps FTA determine effective and appropriate risk mitigations, such as technical assistance or regulatory responses, to support transit agencies in cultivating safer environments for their workers and riders.

FTA is calling on transit agencies and those interested in transit worker safety and security to review the RFI, which closes on November 23, 2021, and provide input.