december 2021-january 2022 - 20

2021 Transit Safety & Security Report
then rerailed while moving through a
pair of switches two times the day of the
incident before derailing a final time.
NTSB says the Safety Alert identifies
wheelset movement as a problem that
carries " the potential to create a catastrophic
event. "
FTA also issued a safety directive
0,000
0,000
where State Safety Oversight Agencies
had until Dec. 1, 2021, to report
out-of-tolerance wheel gauges on all rail
transit rolling stock in revenue service
and conduct inspections of wheel gauges
at rail fixed guideway public transportation
systems in their jurisdiction.
15,000
15,000
20,000
20,000
25,000
25,000
,000
,000
Security
Transit agencies are working to make their
systems more secure through various avenues.
Bi-State Development, which operates
St. Louis Metro Transit, has developed
a series of partnerships to aid its efforts.
Taulby Roach, president and CEO of BiState
Development, goes into detail of why
these efforts worked on page 12.
Partnerships will also be at the core of
Regional Transportation District (RTD) of
Denver's recent effort to enhance security
at and around the Denver Union Station
area. RTD is supplementing its transit police
operations through partnerships with
the federal Transportation Security Administration's
Visible Intermodal Prevention
and Response (VIPR) teams and the
Guardian Angels nonprofit organization.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan
1,500
1,500
2,000
2,000
2,500
2,500
10,000
10,000
Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro)
recently extended its agreement for system
patrol services with the Los Angeles
Police Department, Los Angeles Sheriff's
Department and the Long Beach Police
Department. L.A. Metro will also utilize
alternative public safety efforts, such as
dispatching police officers or homeless
and mental health outreach workers, depending
on the situation.
Austin's Capital Metropolitan Trans15,000
15,000
20,000
20,000
3,000
3,000
portation
Authority (CapMetro) Board of
Directors approved a more hands-on approach
to transit safety with the approval
of a resolution to establish a dedicated
transit police force at the agency. CapMetro
currently contracts with more than 100
off-duty Austin Police Department officers
to provide security on its system. Gardner
Tabon, CapMetro executive vice president
and chief safety officer, explained the city's
4,000
4,000
5,000
5,000
6,000
6,000
Suicides 2013-2020 (total of intentional acts that resulted in death or injury)*
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
50
50
100
Total number of major security events reported
NTD Safety & Security Time Series Data November 2021
100
150
150
*If you or someone you
know is struggling with
feelings of depression
or suicidal thoughts, the
National Suicide Prevention
Lifeline offers free,
round-the-clock support,
information and resources
for help. Reach the lifeline
at 800-273-8255.
200
200
500
500
1,000
1,000
NTD Safety & Security Time Series Data November 2021
1,500
1,500
2,000
2,000
2,500
2,500
Rail safety trends*
Fatality rate increased 0.7% per
year on average; Injury rate increased
2.5% per year on average
*FTA Rail Safety Data Report 2007-2018
police force is obligated to deploy where the
city needs them, which may not be where
the transit agency needs these resources.
Tabon also explained the authority's
three-pronged approach to public safety,
which includes public safety ambassadors,
intervention specialists and transit police.
The CapMetro Board's approval allows the
authority to proceed with the plans, which
it estimates could take up to 18 months to
implement a transit police unit.
Moving away from protecting physical
assets and toward protecting operational
and business systems, cybersecurity will
continue to develop in scope and focus for
transit agencies. This year saw large and
medium-sized transit agencies, including
TTC and the Ann Arbor Area Transportation
Authority, hit with cyberattacks
and moves by the private sector to bolster
cybersecurity offerings to customers.
Developing improved cybersecurity for
rail transport systems are the focus of an
agreement between Airbus and Alstom,
20 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022
Bus safety trends*
Fatality rate decreased 3.2% per
year on average; Injury rate decreased
1.4% per year on average
*FTA Bus Safety Data Report 2007-2018
as well as an agreement between Siemens
Mobility and UK-based RazorSecure.
In the U.S., the Department of
Homeland Security turned its focus on
rail and transit systems in its latest cybersecurity
sprint. The Transportation
Security Administration issued Safety
Directives that will require higher risk
freight rail, passenger rail and rail transit
operators to designate a cybersecurity
coordinator; report cybersecurity
incidents within 24 hours; develop and
implement a cybersecurity incident response
plan to reduce the risk of an operational
disruption; and complete a cybersecurity
vulnerability assessment to
identify potential gaps or vulnerabilities
in their systems. While the requirements
included in the Security Directives apply
to a select group of rail owners/operators,
TSA also issued an Information
Circular encouraging all owners/operators
to implement the actions laid out
in the Security Directives.
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december 2021-january 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of december 2021-january 2022
