FTA Safety Management Inspection Response
As the MBTA responds to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Safety Management Inspection (SMI) report, we'll share our progress here. Over time, this page will grow into an interactive dashboard.
On pages about the MBTA's SMI response, CAP progress graphics track action items at different stages of progress:
- Not yet submitted: The action item has not been completed.
- Under FTA review: The MBTA completed the action item and submitted documentation to the FTA. The FTA is reviewing the MBTA's submission.
- Resubmissions in progress: The MBTA completed the action item and submitted documentation to the FTA. The FTA requested additional information from the MBTA.
- Submissions accepted by the FTA: The MBTA completed the action item and submitted documentation to the FTA. The FTA accepted the MBTA’s submission.
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About the FTA’s Inspection and Report
The FTA completed a Safety Management Inspection of the MBTA from April 14 – June 30, 2022. During that time, the FTA:
- Requested and reviewed documents
- Hosted a series of virtual interviews
- Conducted three weeks of on-site inspections at MBTA rail transit facilities
- Engaged in extensive follow-up to identify areas of improvement to ensure the continued safety of our passengers, workers, and system infrastructure
On August 31, 2022, the FTA released their SMI report, which covered all rail transit and safety disciplines. The report included a review of rail transit operations, training, vehicle maintenance, signals and train control, and track access. It also covered capital project delivery, traction power, facilities, and safety management.
Quality, Compliance & Oversight
Improvement Areas
As we follow the direction of the FTA, we’re focusing on improving in four categories across the MBTA:
- Managing the impact of operations, maintenance, and capital projects requirements on the available workforce
- Prioritization of data, systems, and communication
- Effectiveness of quality management
- Policies, rules, procedures, and operating conditions
To address these areas, we are responding to the FTA's SMI findings and required actions in a series of FTA Special Directives (SDs).
Corrective Action Plans (CAPs)
The MBTA developed CAP documents that describe the action items we will complete to implement improvements across the organization.
On May 26, 2023, the FTA extended due dates for 14 action items and eliminated 1 action item to enable the MBTA to prioritize a response to the April 18, 2023 immediate action letter.
On June 26, 2023, the MBTA testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Transportation about our response to the FTA’s SMI and the work undertaken by the Authority to improve safety since the inspection was completed in August 2022.
On November 6, 2023, the FTA extended due dates for 45 action items and conditionally approved due dates for an additional 19 action items.
The MBTA’s plans address the following areas.
