As a national leader in the development of safety management systems (SMS) for both operators and state regulators in the rail and bus transit industries, TRA has brought its 35 years of consulting experience and expertise to the forefront of transportation safety. This week, TRA joined the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in Denver for its Airport Operations and Technology Symposium, during which the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 139 Rule on Airport SMS was a primary focus. We are excited to see the commonalities in developing effective safety management systems in the different transportation modes and recognize that both industries can share best practices and lessons learned in advancing their safety systems in accordance with Federal regulations and international standards.
Throughout TRA’s history, TRA has understood that the most effective safety programs have been proactive and have incorporated a systems approach to establishing safety through the four elements of SMS: Safety Policy, Safety Risk Management, Safety Assurance, and Safety Promotion. While the industry had developed a robust system safety approach in the preceding 20 years, the time was right to continue this evolution into the proactive approach of SMS. In 2016, the Federal Transit Administration commenced establishment of SMS regulatory requirements, and TRA began applying its own lessons learned in developing safety programs for agencies, administering safety oversight, and conducting safety audits and needs assessments for transportation providers of all sizes throughout North America.
