Transit authorities from across the United States were recognized for safety and security efforts this week through the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA’s) 2018 Rail Safety and Security Excellence Awards.
These awards, which are given along four criteria — effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability — are meant to serve as hallmarks for the industry. They showcase the efforts to which other agencies should aspire in their public transit systems. The awards were separated into three categories: Commuter/Intercity Rail, Heavy Rail, and Light Rail.
For Rail Safety in the intercity this year, the GOLD Award went to the Metropolitan Transit Authority-Metro-North Railroad for New York for the launch of a community safety outreach program following a crossing incident in 2016. The result has been a decrease in trespass-related accidents of 33 percent. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority’s METROLINK received a certificate of merit.
Where heavy rails were concerned, it was the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), which took home the gold for improvements made via a track allocation process meant to reduce standby costs and maximize track time. As for light rails, it was the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System so honored for the Anticipate, Recognize, Take Action (ART) program. That program, created in 2016, has been credited with the reduction of accidents between motorists and trolleys, reduced costs and the employment of new safety training.
Finally, Rail Security Excellence this year issued a Gold Award in light rail efforts for the Metro Transit of Minneapolis. They deployed a federally designated Special Event Assessment Rating security for its light rail service during the most recent Super Bowl. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) received a certificate of merit for increased security presence as well.
“Congratulations to these safety and security award winners who are leading the way in creating and maintaining a safe and secure environment in rail travel,” APTA President and CEO Paul Skoutelas said. “The accomplishments of these leaders are setting the stage for the next generation of advances to make safe rail travel even safer.”