written by
Marybeth Luzak, Editor-in-Chief
The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA), under its Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Program, proposes to develop voluntary standards and standards-related best practices, guidance, and tools in safety and other areas to improve public transportation. I am looking for
According to the November 22 version of the FTA’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Federal Gazette (download below), one competitively selected entrant will be offered up to $3 million. The application deadline is January 23, 2023.
“Transportation industry standards are focused on safe operation of transit vehicles, consistent and efficient implementation of innovative mobility models, a commitment to rail/railway safety, increased resilience, and better information for travelers. ensuring data integrity, supporting interoperability of battery-electric buses and charging systems, and improving cybersecurity: implementing integrated toll payment systems, supporting emergency response communications, and worker safety. improved performance, and improved performance in many other areas,” the FTA reported. Federal Gazette“Furthermore, by ensuring that certain performance standards are met and addressed for interoperability and safety, the standard will help manufacturers of public transit products and services, and the transport that purchases those products and services. It provides value to the institution.”
According to the FTA, selected recipients will conduct an industry standards assessment and develop a priority list of standards that require immediate attention. Subject to direction from the FTA, Recipients will develop or modify voluntary standards, best practices, guidance, and tools to assist public transit agencies in adopting these standards. According to the FTA, a broad range of public transportation stakeholders will directly participate in the development of standards, including representatives from federal, state, local, national, public, nonprofit, academic and private sectors. is needed.
Eligible standard areas include, but are not limited to:
- Bus and rail safety.
- Mobility.
- Toll collection.
- Intelligent transportation system.
- accessibility.
- Fair service standards.
- Procurement.
- safety.
- Resilience.
- Asset management to maintain good repair condition.
- operation.
- maintenance.
- Zero emission vehicle.
- charging system.
- maintenance facility.
- bus workstation.
- Traveler Information.
- Interoperable data standards.
- vehicle propulsion.
- Emergency response communication.
- vehicle electronics.
The FTA said it would establish an internal FTA standards working group. This working group will work with selected applicants, their industry partners, working groups and standards development organizations (SDOs) to assess, review, prioritize and select the transport standards to be developed. or changed.
Eligible applicants are:
- Providers of public transportation, including public transit, state or local transportation agencies, and federally recognized Indian tribes.
- Commercial and non-commercial private organizations, or consultants.
- State, city, or local government agencies (including multijurisdictional partnerships), and organizations such as the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
- Other organizations, including research consortia and non-profit industry organizations. Institutions of higher education, including large research universities, especially those with minority service institution status.
- SDOs.
