Although transit service is generally safe, recent high-profile accidents on several large rail transit systems notably the June 2009 collision in Washington, D.C., that resulted in nine fatalities and 52 injuries have raised concerns. The Fed. Transit Admin. (FTA) oversees state agencies that directly oversee rail transit agencies' safety practices. FTA also provides assistance to transit agencies, such as funding and training, to enhance safety. This report determined: (1) the challenges the largest rail transit systems face in ensuring safety; and (2) the extent to which assistance provided by FTA addresses these challenges. The author visited eight large rail transit systems and their respective state oversight agencies. Illus. This is a print on demand report.

"Research sponsored by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration."

A multi-disciplinary approach to transportation planning fundamentals The Transportation Planning Handbook is a comprehensive, practice-oriented reference that presents the fundamental concepts of transportation planning alongside proven techniques. This new fourth edition is more strongly focused on serving the needs of all users, the role of safety in the planning process, and transportation planning in the context of societal concerns, including the development of more sustainable transportation solutions. The content structure has been redesigned with a new format that promotes a more functionally driven multimodal approach to planning, design, and implementation, including guidance toward the latest tools and technology. The material has been updated to reflect the latest changes to major transportation resources such as the HCM, MUTCD, HSM, and more, including the most current ADA accessibility regulations. Transportation planning has historically followed the rational planning model of defining objectives, identifying problems, generating and evaluating alternatives, and developing plans. Planners are increasingly expected to adopt a more multi-disciplinary approach, especially in light of the rising importance of sustainability and environmental concerns. This book presents the fundamentals of transportation planning in a multidisciplinary context, giving readers a practical reference for day-to-day answers. Serve the needs of all users Incorporate safety into the planning process Examine the latest transportation planning software packages Get up to date on the latest standards, recommendations, and codes Developed by The Institute of Transportation Engineers, this book is the culmination of over seventy years of transportation planning solutions, fully updated to reflect the needs of a changing society. For a comprehensive guide with practical answers, The Transportation Planning Handbook is an essential reference.

Public Transportation: Transit Agencies' Actions to Address Increased Ridership Demand and Options to Help Meet Future Demand