Celebrating 100 Years of Safety and Security 1914 2014 ............................... PTCommemorativeCvr A Special Commemorative Publication from APTA 100 YEARS OF SAFETY AND SECURITY 9 1 4 Celebrating 100 Years of Safety and Security Innovation BY MICHAEL P. MELANIPHY APTA President & CEO am pleased to present you with this special commemorative issue, proposed permanent provi- which celebrates the 100th anniversary of APTA’s Safety and Security sions to govern FTA’s Safety Increased federal I Awards. In the pages that follow, you will read about the many inno- Certification Training Program, vations that over the past 10 decades have helped shape our industry and proposed updates to its State funding is crucial make it even safer and more secure for our employees and passengers alike. Safety Oversight Program, Many thanks to everyone who submitted these entries to APTA throughout proposed rules to govern to our industry to the past year. both national and individual ensure our systems I am fortunate that my work takes me all over the country where I agency safety plans, and a new am able to see first-hand how these innovations are being implemented. regulation on Transit Asset stay safe and secure. As I tour our members’ facilities, both public and private, I continue to be Management. impressed. The interdependent nature The hard work of our members is truly inspiring. Our industry is of these rules will call on public transit agencies, metropolitan planning demonstrating daily its unwavering commitment to making safety “job organizations, and the businesses that support them to be broadly conver- number one.” Wherever I go, people take this seriously. sant across what may have once been considered disparate disciplines to Our industry is It’s what we do. It’s not the build safe, sustainable, and forward-thinking public transportation systems. other thing we do. We’re also working with FRA on the issue of Positive Train Control that demonstrating daily One of the hallmarks of amends certain Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 regulations. its unwavering our industry is our safety cul- These are just some of the many areas where APTA is working with its ture. And we will continue to partners—and on behalf of its members—to ensure our systems are safe and commitment to make the safety, security, and secure. wellness of our passengers making safety and workforce a top priority. Volunteers and Resources “job number one.” Throughout the history of APTA and its very active safety and security committees, and safety staff, public transportation in North continually create forums such as workshops, seminars, meetings and webi- America, APTA and its member nars so we can help our members better shape their business practices. organizations have consistently advocated safety as a core value. At the same time, we know that we have to have frank discussions when More than 10.7 billion trips were taken on public transportation last things go wrong. This is critical—because it’s the only way we will learn year. We’re clearly proud of that record. But we cannot afford to be com- from our mistakes. Sharing best practices, developing solutions together, placent. At APTA, it is our responsibility to push the envelope, to make sure and continuously innovating are imperative to the success of our industry that we are vocal advocates and active instigators for safety improvements. today—and for tomorrow. This is why APTA’s safety audit program and As I stated in testimony before the House of Representatives last February, peer reviews are such valuable resources. Simply put, if we don’t have the the people involved in the operations and management of commuter and resources to train and maintain, then we cannot sustain. passenger railroads and the professionals working at public transportation So as we celebrate those who have contributed to who we are and where systems in general, are completely committed to the safety of their systems, we are today, we hope you enjoy your journey back in the pages that follow. passengers, and employees. You’ll read about everything from the invention Federal Funding Protects Safety of vacuum-operated windshield wipers to cat’s eye If we don’t have the road reflectors to wheel slip prevention equipment. We need to properly maintain our existing infrastructure in These innovations were the work of many an era of burgeoning ridership. This means that increased resources to train talented, dedicated, and visionary individu- federal funding is crucial to our industry to ensure our sys- tems stay safe and secure. APTA continues to make the case and maintain, then als. Because of their foresight and ambition, our to Congress that investment in public transportation is an industry has made tremendous strides over the investment in America’s future. we cannot sustain. last century. I am confident we will continue this Research is an integral component of a safety culture. legacy over the next 100 years. This is why we are urging Congress to restore the funding it cut for the Transit Cooperative Research Program, which gives our industry a proven way to review and make recommendations on safety issues. A special publication of the Continued federal support is also needed for FTA’s Technical Assistance American Public Transportation Association and Standards Program, which has enabled the industry and its federal part- 1666 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 ners to advance public transportation standards that have improved safety (202) 496-4800 and reduced costs. One of the best ways to ensure these protocols is through www.apta.com the establishment of a nationwide adoption of safety standards. We’ve been working closely with FTA on a number of matters. Building APTA appreciates the submissions, vignettes, facts, photos, illustrations, and other on its comprehensive October 2013 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemak- information for this publication supplied by its members and partners. APTA’s safety ing (ANPRM), FTA anticipates proposing a number of rules related to safety, and security team was instrumental in reviewing and compiling the submissions. transit asset management, and maintaining a state of good repair in the coming year. Among these will likely be an announcement of interim and Cover and page 8 illustrations courtesy of Pullman State Historic Site 2 | American Public Transportation Association 100 YEARS OF SAFETY AND SECURITY 9 1 4 A Brief History of APTA’s Safety & Security Awards From Industrialists to Celebrities, Safety Takes Center Stage he 100-year history of APTA’s Bus 1917-25 because of World War I. lose his life in a car accident. Lowell and Rail Safety & Security Awards The program broadened to include In 1914, following Brady’s death in 1913, Thomas, a famous newsman of the T began with Anthony Nicholas both bus and rail systems in 1927 his family authorized the American time, narrated both that film and its Brady, an American businessman who and split the entries into three successor, “Driven to Kill.” Thomas acquired Brooklyn Rapid Transit and classes based on size: Gold medal, Museum of Safety to award a gold received a plaque for his participa- became an important figure in the trans- more than 5 million vehicle miles medal annually to the American electric tion in this program at the 1948 portation systems of major U.S. cities, per year; Silver medal, between 1 American Transit Safety Awards including Philadelphia and Washington, million and 5 million vehicle miles railway company that had done Banquet. Bob Hope also received D.C. (See innovation 89 on page 5.) per year; and Bronze medal, fewer recognition from ATA for narrating a In 1914, following Brady’s death in than 1 million vehicle miles per the most during the year for the safety safety film titled “Chain Reaction.” 1913, his family authorized the Ameri- year. and health of the public and its employees. In 1991, APTA presented the Bus can Museum of Safety to award a gold In 1930, the bronze medal Safety Awards in six competitive medal annually to the American electric was divided into two categories, … This initiative marked the divisions, each named after past railway company that had the most one for systems with a popula- DOT secretaries and based on the positive efforts during the year for the tion of 300,000 or more and one beginning of APTA’s awards program. service characteristics and operat- safety and health of the public and its for systems with a population of ing environment of the public employees. In doing so, the museum 300,000 or fewer. added to the program in 1943. transit systems. Classifying variables worked with the American Electric Rail- In 1941, the American Transit In 1946, the American Transit Asso- included weather, population, number way Association, a predecessor organiza- Safety Awards superseded the American ciation (ATA, predecessor to APTA) of buses in service, bus vehicle miles tion of APTA, to appoint a committee Museum of Safety and the Anthony began producing safety-themed mov- operated, and the general traffic condi- from its own membership to formulate N. Brady Memorial Awards. The award ies that encouraged the public to drive tions of the service area. the conditions of competition. This ini- was changed to a silver plaque with six safely on America’s roadways. The first From 1993-1999, APTA also presented tiative marked the beginning of APTA’s categories based on population, rang- movie, titled “It’s Wanton Murder,” awards program. ing from 600,000 or more to 30,000- featured a serviceman who had served APTA’S SAFETY & SECURITY AWARDS The program went on hiatus from 100,000. Honorable mentions were his country only to come home and CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 100 Years of Safety, 100 Safety Innovations Honoring the Legacy of Safety in Public Transportation hroughout the history of public transportation in North America, APTA, its predecessor organizations, and its members have consistently made safety a core value and top priority T of the industry.