Resource Center

Working Together for Safer Transit: The Role of Joint Labor-Management Safety Committees

Under the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) regulation, U.S. transit agencies and their frontline unions have formed safety committees comprised of equal numbers of labor and management representatives. This TWC brief explores strategies for effective labor-management collaboration on safety and opportunities for frontline worker training and upskilling facilitated by the joint committee structure.

Transit Workforce Center

April 2026

FTA Safety Bulletin 26-01: Transit Worker Fatigue

Federal Transit Administration

April 2026

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program is an initiative of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) that provides grant funding for projects aimed at improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. The goal of the program is to meet both current and future rail workforce demands by addressing key challenges such as an aging workforce and critical skill gaps. It also aims to prepare the workforce for advanced technology deployments and operational innovations, ultimately contributing to the stabilization and growth of the rail industry workforce. The program includes the Mineta Summer Transportation Academy.

Federal Railroad Administration

Public Transit Workforce Development for Zero-Emission Vehicles

This TCRP report focuses on vehicle maintenance of battery-electric and fuel-cell transit buses, including case studies from transit as well as lessons from the automotive and school transportation industries. Recommendations include assessing workforce skills through skills-gap analysis, building a systematic process for building skills (including through frontline worker engagement and the creation of formalized training programs, e.g., registered apprenticeship), and working proactively on recruitment and retention.

Transit Cooperative Research Program

December 2025

TRB Webinar: Planning Bus Operator Workstation and Barrier Designs for Health and Safety

Well-designed bus operator workstations and barriers can decrease driver risks of low back pain and slowed response time. Improving the health and safety of bus operators’ physical environment makes the job more appealing and drivers more productive. TRB hosted a webinar on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Eastern that discussed how to mitigate the health and safety risks that are present for bus drivers. Presenters shared strategies for addressing these risks and highlighted effective approaches to improve the design and management of bus operator workstations.

Transportation Research Board

October 2025

Ergonomic risks in New York’s public transportation sector

Transit employees, including bus drivers, subway operators, maintenance personnel, and station staff, are routinely exposed to risk factors such as prolonged sitting, awkward postures, repetitive movements, forceful exertions, and vibration exposure. These conditions contribute to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), fatigue, reduced productivity, and long-term health complications. This paper examines the scope of ergonomic hazards within New York’s public transportation sector, highlighting their health, safety, and organizational impacts. It also explores existing gaps in ergonomic interventions and emphasizes the need for targeted strategies, including workplace redesign, training programs, and policy reforms, to reduce risks and improve worker well-being.

September 2025

Mitigation Strategies for Deterring Transit Assaults

TCRP Research Report 258: Mitigation Strategies for Deterring Transit Assaults, from TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program, equips agencies with practical strategies and evidence-based recommendations to enhance safety and security in the transit environment.

Transit Cooperative Research Program

August 2025

Veterans Accommodations Toolkit: Workplace Resources for Disabled Veterans

ODEP partners with DOL sister agencies and supports initiatives to provide job training and employment assistance services to veterans and returning service members, including disabled veterans. This toolkit represents a collaboration between ODEP and the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service to offer tips and strategies for navigating and supporting workplace accommodations.

U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy