[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 18 (Wednesday, January 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4620-4622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01479]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2014-0009]


National Transit Database: Safety Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final Guidance to the Safety & Security Module in the National 
Transit Database (NTD) Reporting Manual for Safety Information 
Collection.

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SUMMARY: This notice conveys the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) 
response to comments received regarding proposed revisions to the 
Safety & Security Module in the National Transit Database (NTD) 
Reporting Manual for Safety Information Collection.

DATES: Effective Dates: The revisions to the NTD Reporting Manual 
Safety & Security Module will become effective for the 2015 calendar 
year reporting cycle.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith R. Gates, National Transit 
Database Program Manager, (202) 366-1794, Office of Budget and Policy, 
Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., East Building, Washington, DC 20590 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Overview

    FTA is updating the Safety & Security Module in the National 
Transit Database Reporting Manual in order to better align NTD safety 
data collection with data that is collected in the State Safety 
Oversight (SSO) program Rail Transit Event Database.
    On August 21, 2014, FTA issued a notice of request for comments for 
proposed revisions of the National Transit Database Safety Information 
Collection, in the Federal Register (79 FR 49557, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-08-21/pdf/2014-19787.pdf). The comment period closed 
on October 20, 2014. FTA received a total of 37 comments from 12 
stakeholders, including 10 public transportation providers, one trade 
association, and one individual. This notice addresses comments 
received and explains the revisions FTA is making to the NTD Reporting 
Manual. An overview of the comments and the FTA responses are provided 
below.

II. Response to Comments

    Commenters recommended that both FTA and the SSO agencies should 
use the same database and that reports sent to the SSO, FTA, and the 
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) should be collected and 
maintained on one standard reporting form that meets the needs of all 
agencies then disseminated to other agencies as required from the 
assigned federal agency.
    While FTA notes the revisions we propose are meant to be a step in 
that direction, the primary motive for the revisions will align the NTD 
reporting thresholds and definitions with those of the SSO Program 
database, allowing the NTD and the SSO Program to share reports and 
simplify reporting requirements. Additionally, FRA's regulatory 
responsibilities have historically differed from those of FTA. FTA also 
received comments that safety professionals cannot find statistics that 
are based on data provided to the NTD and the SSO Rail Transit Event 
Database. These commenters questioned FTA's need for collecting more 
data and asserted that FTA does not do anything visible with the data 
it collects. The NTD produces a monthly time series of safety data that 
is used extensively by the rail transit industry. The FTA has new 
safety authority pursuant to MAP-21, and as a result its Office of 
Transit Safety and Oversight (TSO) now has additional staff and 
resources that is developing a more active program going forward. In 
the future, we will use the data collected to produce regular products 
and reports for use by the safety community.

1. Reportable Event (clarification)

    Incidents reported to the NTD and the SSO Rail Transit Event 
Database will be called ``events.'' FTA suggested this change because 
other uses of the term ``incident'' are defined as an occurrence that 
is less severe than an accident or imply a security event. ``Event'' in 
this case is intended to include planned and unplanned events that are 
required to be reported to the NTD. This change is necessary to provide 
better alignment with nomenclature used by other transportation modes, 
and to provide clarity during data analysis conducted to identify 
safety trends.
    Comment. One commenter disagreed with the ``events'' classification 
and stated that there would continue to be room for confusion with 
FRA's definition of ``incident.''
    FTA Response. FTA is primarily concerned with using terminology 
that is compatible with usage in the SSO Program. ``Event'' is the 
blanket term for accidents and other incidents that are not accidental 
(such as suicides). Since the NTD also collects information on security 
events, and such usage is compatible with the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) definition, FTA intends to proceed with this proposed 
revision.

2. Change in Location Criteria

    The NTD currently includes events that are ``related to or affect 
revenue service.'' Consistent with data reported to the SSO Program, 
FTA proposed to revise these applicability criteria to ``an event 
occurring on transit right-of-way, in a transit revenue facility, in a 
transit maintenance facility, or involving a transit revenue vehicle, 
excluding occupational safety events occurring in administrative 
buildings.'' Application of these new criteria would mean that 
recipients will no longer report events at bus stops that are not on 
property owned or controlled by the agency, unless the event involves a 
transit vehicle, or boarding/alighting from a transit vehicle.
    Comment. FTA received eight comments to the proposed revision. 
Commenters expressed concern that changing ``affecting revenue service 
standard'' to a ``location-based standard'' would include a number of 
occupational safety events that are normally reported to the 
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Many commenters 
noted that these events are already reported to OSHA, and that this 
proposed revision would require agencies to file multiple reports

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on these incidents. Commenters also noted, correctly, that the new 
policy would include other occupational safety events on transit 
property.
    FTA Response. FTA notes the proposed revision would specifically 
exclude ``occupational safety events occurring in administrative 
buildings.'' FTA further notes occupational safety events are reported 
by phoning the local OSHA office within 24 hours of the event, and only 
the most serious injuries are reported. In addition, telephone 
reporting on this time frame does not result in particularly reliable 
data, and therefore, OSHA-reported data does not meet FTA's reliability 
standards. Furthermore, OSHA data are not made readily available to 
FTA. For these reasons, we have adopted the proposed revision. In 
response to comments, FTA has updated the standard to exclude other 
types of real property in addition to administrative buildings. In 
particular, non-transit property owned by municipalities or authorities 
that also operate transit systems will be excluded.

3. Evacuations

    FTA proposed to revise the definition of evacuation to include 
patron/passenger self-evacuations and evacuations for service or 
maintenance-related issues when passengers are evacuated to locations 
where they potentially could be exposed to hazardous situations, such 
as a rail right-of-way, or a highway shoulder lane. These events will 
require a major event report and are consistent with data reported to 
the SSO Program.
    Comment. FTA received four comments to the proposed revision. Three 
commenters were opposed to the extension of the evacuation reporting to 
all revenue vehicles, making convincing arguments that bus evacuations 
were not sufficiently hazardous to justify a major safety report. The 
remaining commenter stated that it is difficult to capture data on 
self-evacuations.
    FTA Response. FTA concurs with these comments and only will require 
reporting of evacuations on rail vehicles and of passenger facilities. 
The revisions will expand evacuation reporting criteria for rail 
vehicles from evacuations due to life-threatening situations, to any 
evacuation to a potentially hazardous location. Additionally, FTA 
understands it may be difficult to capture data on self-evacuations, 
especially where evacuations are not managed by transit personnel, but 
will still require that the agency do its best to submit an accurate 
report.

4. Derailments

    FTA proposed to expand the mandatory reporting of derailments to 
include yard derailments. Yard derailments will be reportable 
regardless of injuries, fatalities, or property damage.
    Comment. FTA received five comments on this proposal. Commenters 
suggested that derailments of service equipment in maintenance yards 
should not be reportable.
    FTA Response. The FTA understands that derailments of service 
equipment are rare, however, the agency would like to know when these 
derailments occur in an effort to improve the safety of transit agency 
operations and transit agency employees. Therefore, FTA is implementing 
the revision as proposed and derailments of service equipment in 
maintenance yards will be reported.

5. Collisions at Grade Crossings

    FTA proposed to make all collisions at grade crossings reportable 
to the NTD in order to improve event reporting consistency. Transit 
agencies are already required to report and investigate these events 
under the existing SSO Program.
    Comment. FTA received three comments to the proposed revision. 
Commenters requested additional clarification of what constitutes a 
grade crossing and what ``all collisions'' mean.
    FTA Response. FTA defines ``all'' to mean any vehicular collision, 
even if the vehicles are not operated by a transit agency. It includes 
collisions involving pedestrians and bicyclists. ``Grade Crossing'' is 
defined as any place where a rail guideway used for transit operations 
is crossed at grade by a road or path. This reporting requirement will 
ensure that the NTD has reports on all incidents reported to the SSO. 
We realize that the elimination of damage and injury thresholds will 
result in some additional reports beyond what will be reported to the 
SSO Program, however, collection of minor event data will inform FTA 
safety specialists of potential elevated safety risk levels.

6. Collision With an Individual on a Rail Right-of-Way

    FTA proposed to change the NTD thresholds to capture all rail 
collisions with individuals, regardless of injuries or fatalities, as 
collected in the SSO Program. Collisions with individuals that do not 
result in an injury would be reportable to the NTD.
    Comment. FTA received two comments to the proposed revision. 
Commenters stated that there needs to be a minimum train speed to 
eliminate unnecessary reporting events where someone walks/falls into 
the side of a train and also suggested that changes be addressed in 
FTA's upcoming safety rulemakings.
    FTA Response. FTA will modify the requirement so that only events 
involving moving trains are reportable.

7. Rail to Rail Collisions

    FTA proposed to require an NTD event report for every event 
involving a collision between rail vehicles. This would extend the 
existing SSO threshold to the NTD to support improvements in data 
quality and reporting. Transit agencies are already required to report 
and investigate these events under the existing SSO Program. This 
category is not intended to capture normal connection of vehicles.
    Comment. FTA received one comment to the proposed revision. The 
commenter noted that FTA currently collects the proposed information 
through the SSO Program and FTA should take into consideration that 
agencies are double reporting.
    FTA Response. This requirement will ensure that the NTD has reports 
for all incidents reported to the SSO Program. To reduce over 
reporting, FTA will clearly define what ``bump coupling'' means as part 
of the guidance for reporting this data.

8. Addition of ``Tow-Away''

    FTA proposed to add a ``tow-away'' checkbox to the Reportable 
Incident Report form (S&S-40) to make vehicle event reporting 
compatible with the accident reporting threshold used by the Federal 
Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
    Comment. FTA received two comments to the proposed revision. 
Commenters questioned if the reporting requirement would only apply to 
tow-aways resulting from accidents that caused disabling damage to the 
motor vehicle and if it would cover driver-requested tows even though 
the event does not meet the FTA criteria of ``disabling damage.''
    FTA Response. FTA will provide guidance in the reporting manual to 
clarify that this requirement will only apply to vehicles that are not 
safe to operate.

9. Revision to Non-Rail ``Other Motor Vehicle'' and ``Collision Event'' 
Screens

    FTA proposed to add selections for ``other motor vehicle type'' to 
improve the ability of FTA and transit agencies to conduct trend 
analysis of non-rail vehicle collisions. New selections will include: 
Collision with an automobile, moped, scooter, motorcycle, charter bus,

[[Page 4622]]

or school bus as a collision with a Motor Vehicle; collision with 
another agency's transit vehicle as a collision with a Motor Vehicle; 
and collision with another of your transit agency's vehicles as a 
collision with a transit vehicle.
    FTA Response. FTA did not receive any comments to this proposed 
revision and the revision will be adopted as proposed.

10. Revision to Non-Rail ``Type of Fire'' Categories on Fire Event 
Detail Screens

    FTA proposed to add selections for ``type of fire'' to the non-rail 
fire event detail screens to provide better national-level information 
for vehicle fire prevention and mitigation.
    Comment. FTA received two comments to the proposed revision. 
Commenters indicated that ``type of fire'' was often difficult to 
ascertain and could only be identified after a lengthy investigation.
    FTA Response. The NTD allows for event reports to be edited months 
after being reported, thus FTA does not consider this problematic for 
reporters and will adopt the proposed revision as stated.

11. Collect New Data on Geographic Location of Events

    FTA proposed to add fields for latitude and longitude of events. 
This change is necessary for FTA to participate in the U.S. DOT's Open 
Data initiative that will provide for the creation and maintenance of 
high-quality, nationwide transportation data in the public domain.
    Comments. FTA received nine comments to the proposed revision. 
Commenters expressed concern that they are not equipped to provide the 
proposed information.
    FTA Response. FTA will make this new requirement optional for the 
first year to allow time for reporters to develop procedures for 
determining the latitude and longitude for incidents. FTA also will 
provide functionality in the online forms for converting street 
addresses to latitude and longitude automatically.
    Although there is a potential increase in the reporting burden for 
some data elements affected by these revisions, there also are some 
potential reductions in the reporting burden. FTA will monitor these 
and generate a revised reporting burden estimate for our upcoming 
Paperwork Reduction Act application. This application will be completed 
in 2015. At this time the reporting burden is expected to be neutral 
and to remain within the currently approved Paperwork Reduction Act 
collection.

Therese W. McMillan,
Acting Administrator, Federal Transit Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-01479 Filed 1-27-15; 8:45 am]
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