Guidance Center
Welcome to the FTA Guidance Center. The guidance documents contained herein are not legally binding in their own right, and FTA will not rely upon them as a separate basis for affirmative enforcement actions or other administrative penalty. Conformity with these documents (as distinct from existing statutes and regulations) is voluntary only, and nonconformity will not affect rights and obligations under existing statutes and regulations.
Environment
- NEPA Re-Evaluation Guidance
- Efficient Environmental Reviews for Project Decisionmaking (Section 1304) Questions and Answers
- Revised Environment Process Review for Public Comment
- FTA Final Guidance on the Application of 49 U.S.C. 5323(q) to Corridor Preservation for a Transit Project
- Guidance for Implementation of FTA's Categorical Exclusions (23 CFR 771.118)
- Categorical Exclusions for Actions Within Existing Operational Rights of Way Webinar
- Categorical Exclusions for Emergency Actions Webinar
- Categorical Exclusions and Streamlining Webinar
- FTA Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment Manual
- Section 106 Program Comment to Exempt Consideration of Effects to Rail Properties Within Rail Rights of Way Webinar
- Section 106 Program Comment for Rail ROW – Property-Based Approach Guidance
- Optional Property-Based Approach to Exempt Consideration of Effects to Rail Properties Within Rail Rights of Way Webinar
Charter Service
Transit Asset Management
- TAM Plan Self-Assessment Tool
- TAM Decision Support Tool State of the Practice Synthesis
- TAM Investment Prioritization State of the Practice Synthesis
- Transit Asset Management Systems Handbook
- Transit Asset Management: Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions
- Performance Management
- TAM Infrastructure Performance Measure Reporting Guidebook
- Asset Inventory Module Reporting Guide
- Transit Asset Management: Archived Questions and Answers
- Final TAM Performance Measure Guidebooks Webinar
- TAM Facility Performance Measure Reporting Guidebook
- Advancing Performance Management: Establishing Measures and Targets
- Let's Talk Performance: Lessons Learned from Target Setting Coordination
- TAM Plans
- Group Plan Sponsor Workbook
- Asset Management Guide Supplement: Asset Category Overviews & Lifecycle Management - Update
- Transit Asset Management Guide
- Transit State of Good Repair: Beginning the Dialogue
- SGR Roundtable 4: FTA Updates
- SGR Roundtable 3: Feedback Session Results
- SGR Roundtable 3: Transit Asset Management Framework Research
- SGR Roundtable 2: Addressing the Challenge: Formulating a Definition of SGR for a Federal Program
- SGR Roundtable 2: State of Good Repair Potential Concepts
- SGR Roundtable 2: Supply Chain/Logistics Management from the DoD Perspective
- SGR Roundtable 1: International Perspectives on Asset Management and SGR
- SGR Roundtable 1: Perspectives on Reauthorization
- SGR Roundtable 1: State of Good Repair Research
- TAM NPRM Webinar
- TAM NPRM Webinar Series Q & A
- TAM NPRM Webinar Series FAQ
- TAM NPRM Listening Session Notes (DC)
- TAM NPRM Listening Session Notes (APTA)
- TAM NPRM Listening Session Notes (National RTAP)
- MPO Responsibilities for the TAM Rule FAQs
- Innovative Financing Options for SGR Investments
- TERM Lite Overview
- TERM Lite Quick Start Guide
Buy America
- Buy America Fact Sheet
- Third Party Procurement Buy America FAQs
- FTA Guidance Letter on Buy America Small Purchase Waivers
- Implementation of the Phased Increase in Domestic Content Under the Buy America Waiver for Rolling Stock
- Miles and Stockbridge Guidance Letter
- Nova Bus Guidance Letter
- Security Industry Association Guidance Letter
- MTA Guidance Letter
- Indygo Guidance Letter
- Santa Cruz Metro Guidance Letter
- Delta Composites LLC Guidance Letter
- KONE Elevators Guidance Letter
- Bob Hope Airport Guidance Letter
- Sacramento Regional Transit District Guidance Letter
- Southern California Edison Guidance Letter
- Otis Elevator Guidance Letter
- LACMTA Guidance Letter
- Charlotte Area Transit System Guidance Letter
- NYMTA Guidance Letter
- New Starts Working Group Guidance Letter
- KONE Inc. Guidance Letter
- Golden Gate Bridge, Highway, and Transportation District Guidance Letter
- MBTA Guidance Letter
- San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District Guidance Letter
- Kansas City Area Transportation Authority Guidance Letter
- Detroit Diesel Corp. Guidance Letter
- Alta Bicycle Share Guidance Letter
- San Francisco Municipal Railway Guidance Letter
- Yonkers Contracting Guidance Letter
- Buy America Handbook
Project Management Oversight
- FTA Project and Construction Management Guidelines
- Quality Management System Guidelines
- Construction Management Handbook
- Project Management Oversight Lessons Learned
- Cost Estimation for FTA Funded Transit Projects
- Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide
- FTA Market Conditions Research
- Managing Capital Costs of Major Federally Funded Public Transportation Projects: Contractor's Final Report
- Estimating Soft Costs for Major Public Transportation Fixed Guideway Projects
Safety & Oversight
- Lessons Learned from Voluntary Agency Safety Plan Reviews
- Agency Safety Plan Lessons Learned
- Certifying Compliance with the Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Regulation
- PTASP Certification Fact Sheet
- Understanding the Agency Safety Plan Review, Approval, and Certification Process
- Sample Small Public Transportation Provider Agency Safety
- Sample Bus Transit Provider ASP
- PTASP Agency Safety Plan Review, Approval, and Certification Webinar
- PTASP Safety Performance Targets Fact Sheet
- PTASP Safety Performance Targets Webinar
- Safety Risk Management Agency Safety Plan Section Lessons Learned Webinar
- Guide to Developing the Safety Assurance Component of a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan
- Monitoring Compliance and Sufficiency of Operations and Maintenance Procedures
- Safety Assurance Agency Safety Plan Section Lessons Learned Webinar
- PTASP Management of Change Webinar
- Compliance Monitoring Webinar
- Understanding PTASP Safety Training and Communication Requirements
- Safety Promotion ASP Section Lessons Learned Webinar
- Safety Program Fact Sheet (Section 5329)
- Alcohol and Controlled Substances Fact Sheet (Section 5331)
- 2019 PTASP: One Year to Compliance
- Drug and Alcohol Testing FAQs
- Safety Advisory 16-2: Third Rail Data Collection
- PTSCTP Training Rule FAQs
- PTSCTP Training Rule Guidance
- Public Transportation Safety Program Final Rule Webinar Presentation
- Public Transportation Safety Program Final Rule FAQs
- PTASP Frequently Asked Questions
- Safety Management Systems & Transit Asset Management Graphic
- Safety Advisory 16-1: Stop Signal Overruns
- Safety Advisory 15-1: Audit All Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation Systems (RFGPTS) with Subway Tunnel Environments
- Safety Advisory 14-3: Vintage/Heritage Trolley Vehicle B and K Operating Controllers
- Safety Advisory 14-2: Verification of Rail Vehicle Safe Stopping Distances in Terminal Stations
- Update FTA 10-4-13 Urgent Safety Advisory
- Safety Advisory 14-1: Right-of-Way Worker Protection December 2013
- Urgent Safety Advisory - Unintended Train Movements
- FTA Safety Bulletin 19-01
- FTA Safety Bulletin 19-02
- Program Standard Technical Assistance Guide
- State Safety Oversight Program Certification Toolkit
- Two-Hour Accident Notification Guide
- Webinar: Guide to Meeting Technical Training Plan Requirements for State Safety Oversight Agencies
- State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program Overview, March 18, 2014
- Frequently Asked Questions: State Safety Oversight Formula Grant Program
- Urgent Safety Advisory: Enhanced Protections for Wayside Workers
- Tunnel Ventilation Assessment Checklist
- Drug and Alcohol Publications
- Drug and Alcohol Technical Assistance
- Drug and Alcohol Tools and Resources
- Effective Practices in Bus Transit Safety: Emergency Response
- PTSCTP Final Rule Webinar - August 2, 2018
- PTSCTP Final Rule Webinar - August 16, 2018
- PTSCTP Final Rule Webinar - September 18, 2018
- Safety Conference Presentations
- Safety Frequently Asked Questions
- National Public Transportation Safety Plan
- Implementation Guidelines for Drug and Alcohol Regulations in Mass Transit
- Best Practices Manual: FTA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
- Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications Tool Kit
- Sensitive Security Information
- Agency Safety Plan Review
- PTASP Final Rule Fact Sheet
- PTASP Next Steps Fact Sheet
- Key Points for Developing Agency Safety Plans
- Guide to Opting Out of an Agency Safety Plan Developed by a State Department of Transportation
- Sample Agency Safety Plan Development Timeline for Bus Transit Providers
- PTASP Template for Bus Transit
- PTASP Template for Bus Transit Reference Tool
- PTASP Checklist for Bus Transit
- Sample List of Documented Safety Risk Management and Safety Assurance Process Elements
- Roadmap to Drafting an ASP for Bus Transit Agencies
- PTASP Workshop
- PTASP Mini-Workshop SWTA 2019
- 2019 APTA Annual PTASP Workshop: SMS for Executives Preparing for July 20, 2020
- FTA Final Safety Rules Overview Webinar 1
- FTA Final Safety Rules Overview Webinar 2
- PTASP Webinar for Multimodal Agencies
- PTASP Bus-Only Agencies Webinar
- PTASP State DOTs Webinar
- PTASP Webinar for Multimodal Agencies
- PTASP Webinar for Bus Agencies
- PTASP Bus Guidance and Template Webinar
- PTASP Bus Guidance and Template Webinar 2
- PTASP Contractors and Other External Service Providers Webinar
- PTASP Rule Refresher Webinar
- PTASP Agency Highlights Webinar
- Introduction to Safety Performance Indicators and Targets
- Safety Performance Targets Guide
- CSO SMS Executive Fact Sheet
- Safety Management Policy Fact Sheet
- Role of the CSO in PTASP Implementation
- Developing the Safety Management Policy Statement
- PTASP Safety Management Policy and Safety Promotion Webinar
- PTASP Employee Safety Reporting Programs
- Safety Risk Management Fact Sheet
- Sample Hazard Classification System
- Hazard Management vs. Safety Risk Management Guide
- Potential Sources of Hazard Information for Bus Transit Operations
- Sample Safety Risk Assessment Matrices for Bus Transit Agencies
- Guide to the Sample Safety Risk Register for Bus Transit Agencies
- PTASP Hazards and Consequences Self-Guided Learning Tool
- Safety Risk Management Webinar
- PTASP Safety Promotion Fact Sheet
- Safety Training Resources for Bus Transit Agencies
- Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program and Agency Safety Plan Training Requirements
- PTASP Safety Management Policy and Safety Promotion Webinar
- Employee Safety Reporting Programs
- Safety Risk Mitigations and Corrective Actions Guide
- Sample Safety Risk Assessment Matrices for Rail Transit Agencies
- Guide to the Sample Safety Risk Register for Rail Transit Agencies
- PTASP Applicability Webinar
- Sample Agency Safety Plan Development Timeline for State DOTs
- State DOTs Webinar
- State DOTs Webinar
- Transition Roadmap Guidance on Using SSPPs to Develop PTASPs
- RTA and SSOA PTASP Review Checklist
- Sample Agency Safety Plan Development, Review, and Approval Timeline for RTAs and SSOAs
- ASP Review Checklist for RTAs and SSOAs
- 2019 FTA Joint SSO and RTA Workshop Participant Guide
- SSOA Webinar
- SSOA Webinar
- MPO FAQs
- PTASP and Asset Management in Performance-Based Planning and Programming
- FTA’s National Public Transportation Safety Plan: Safety Performance Measures Excerpt
- Effective Practices in Bus Transit Safety: Emergency Response
Civil Rights/ADA
- Managing Your Civil Rights Program
- Managing Your Civil Rights Program (webinar recording)
- DOT Official Q&As on the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Requirements
- ADA Section 37.43(a) Legal Opinion May 2016
- DOT ADA Requirements for Station Alteration Policy Statement
- Light Rail Vehicle Between-Car Barrier Requirements
- DOT Disability Law Guidance
- Departmental Guidelines on Emergency Preparedness and Individuals with Disabilities
- "Premium Charges" for Paratransit Services
- Question and Answer Concerning FTA’s Circular 4702.1B, “Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for FTA Recipients”
- No Change to US DOT ADA Regulations for Service Animals and Mobility Devices
- DOT's LEP Guidance
- Tips and Tools for Reaching LEP Communities in Emergency Preparednes
- Title VI Emergency Preparedness Guidance
- DBE Guidance
- EEO Guidance
- ADA Training
- Title VI Training
- DBE Training
- TVM Training
- Civil Rights/ADA Frequently Asked Questions
- ADA Guidance
- Title VI Guidance
Program Oversight
- FY 19 Comprehensive Review Guide
- Triennial Review Workshop - Fiscal Year 2019
- Art and Non-Functional Landscaping in Federally Funded Public Transit Projects Frequently Asked Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Transit Providers in New Urbanized Areas and Transportation Management Areas (MS Word)
- PSR Guide (currently off the site)
- Milestone Progress Report and Federal Financial Report Submissions
- Risk-Based Reporting Policy
Transportation Planning
- TAM Performance Target Policy Statement
- Metropolitan, Statewide & Non-Metropolitan Planning Fact Sheet (Sections 5303-5304-5305)
- Planning Resource Library
- Best Planning Practices: Metropolitan Transportation Plans
- Performance-Based Planning and Programming Guidebook
- Planning for Transportation in Rural Areas
- Traffic Assignment and Feedback Research to Support Improved Travel Forecasting
- Transit at the Table: A Guide to Participation in Metropolitan Decisionmaking
- Transit at the Table II: A Guide to Participation in Metropolitan Transportation Decisionmaking for Transit Agencies in Small- and Medium-Sized Metropolitan Areas
- Transit at the Table III: A Guide to Effective Participation in Statewide Decision-Making for Transit Agencies in Non-Urbanized Areas
- Transportation Planning Implications of Transportation Management Area Designations
- Dots & Dashes: Piecing together Transit's Future
- Summary of FTA Programs under the FAST Act
- 2016 Technical Assistance Program Case Study: PDRTA Commuter Feasibility Study
- 2016 Technical Assistance Program Case Study: Pullman Transit
- Building a Coordinated Transportation System - Self-Assessment Tool
- Coordinated Transportation Planning Information Brief
- NADO Report - Integrating Economic Resilience into Performance-Based Transportation Planning
- Metropolitan Planning Organization Responsibilities for the Transit Asset Management Rule FAQs
- Implications of Census 2010 on Transportation Planning and FTA Formula Grants
- Apportionment Resources
- Performance-Based Planning Resources
- Performance-Based Planning Report to Congress
- Performance-Based Planning and Programming Roundtable Series Summary
- Training & Technical Assistance Resources
- Before and After Study of New Starts Projects
- STOPS: FTA’s Simplified Trips-on-Project Software
Region 1
Region 4
Circulars
- 4702.1B Title VI Requirements and Guidelines
- 4704.1A Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Act Guidance
- 4710.1 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Guidance
- 4220.1F Third Party Contracting Guidance
- 5010.1E Award Management Requirements
- 5200.1A Full Funding Grant Agreement Guidance
- 5300.1 State of Good Repair Grant Program Guidance and Application Instructions
- 5800.1 Safety and Security Management Guidance for Major Capital Projects
- 6100.1E Research, Technical Assistance and Training Programs: Application Instructions and Program Management Guidance
- 8100.1D Program Guidance for Metropolitan Planning and State Planning and Research Program Grants
- 9030.1E Urbanized Area Formula Program: Guidance and Application Instructions
- 9040.1G Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program Guidance and Application Instructions
- 9070.1G Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities: Program Guidance and Application Instructions
- 9300.1B Capital Investment Program Guidance and Application Instructions
- 9500.1 Intergovernmental Review of FTA Planning, Capital, and Operating Programs and Activities
Procurement
- Section 7613 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 FAQs
- Guide for Procurement System Reviews
- Best Practices Procurement & Lessons Learned Manual (Report 0105)
- Third Party Procurement FAQs
- Pricing Guide for FTA Grantees
- Procurement System Self-Assessment Guide
- Procurement Systems Review Guide (PowerPoint)
- Evaluation Criteria for Transit Research and Technology Experts
- Innovative Procurement & Leasing Fact Sheet (Section 3019)
National Transit Database (NTD)
- 2020 NTD Reporting Policy Manual
- 2020 NTD Reduced Reporting Policy Manual
- 2020 NTD Safety and Security Reporting Policy Manual
- Guide: COVID-19 and NTD Reporting
- Uniform System of Accounts
- NTD Sampling Manual
- NTD Sampling Template
- NTD Sampling Template with Data
- 2019 NTD Reporting Policy Manual
- 2019 NTD Reduced Reporting Policy Manual
- 2019 Safety and Security Policy Manual
- NTD Glossary
- NTD Annual Reporting User Guide
- FTA FACES User Guide (User Management)
- NTD Validation Module User Guide
- NTD Data Users Guide (ppt)
- Asset Inventory Expansion Final Requirements Q&A Transcript
- 2018 - NTD Reporting for State DOTs
- 2017 - National Tribal Transportation Conference Presentation
- 2017 - 17th Biennial FTA State Programs Meeting
- 2016 - Report Year 2016 State Reporting Webinar
- 2015 - 16th Biennial FTA State Programs Meeting
- 2015 - Proposed Uniformed System of Accounts Updates
- 2015 - Report Year 2015 State Reporting Webinar
- 2015 - Report Year 2015 Tribe Reporting Webinar
- 2015 - NTD Federal Register Notice
- 2015 - SE Regional Transit Conference
- Local System User Managers Kicking off the NTD
- NTD 2.0 Monthly Ridership Webinar, October 2014
- Tribal Transit NTD Presentation, September 2014
- Intro to NTD 2.0 Online Reporting for Full Urban Reporters
- Intro to NTD 2.0 Online Reporting for SSW Urban Reporters
- Intro to NTD 2.0 Online Reporting for SSW Tribe Reporters
- Intro to NTD 2.0 Online Reporting for State DOT Reporters
- 2014 - Aug 28-29 webinar presentation on 2014 NTD Federal Register notices
- 2014 - Webinar Q & A 8-28 (rtf)
- 2014 - Webinar Q & A 8-29 (rtf)
- 2014 - Webinar Q & A 9-10 (rtf)
- 2012 - NTD Updates - Atlanta 2012 (.pptx)
- 2012 - Rural NTD Training Webinar
- NTD Data Users Guide by John D. Giorgis
- 2019 - Annual Reporting Changes
- 2019 - NTD Reporting Fundamentals
- 2019 - Annual State DOT Reporting
- 2019 - Annual Reporting for State DOT Subrecipients
- 2019 - Annual Tribal Transit Reduced Reporting
- 2019 - Annual Urban Reduced Reporting
- 2019 - NTD Reporting Changes Webinar Video
- 2019 - NTD Reporting Changes Webinar Presentation
- 2019 - NTD Webinar Poll Results
- 2018 - Safety and Security (S&S) Reporting: Rail
- 2018 - Safety and Security (S&S) Reporting: Non-Rail
- 2017 - FACES User Management Webinar Video
- 2017 - FACES User Management Webinar Presentation
- Asset Inventory Module: Reporting Initial Performance Measure Targets (A-90 Form)
- 2016 - APC Certification Process Update Webinar, January 25, 2017
- 2016 - Proposed USOA and APC Certification Changes Webinar, February 18, 2016 Video
- 2016 - Proposed USOA and APC Certification Changes Webinar, February 18, 2016 Transcript
- 2015 - Proposed USOA Changes Webinar - PowerPoint presentation
- 2010 - Census Webinar
Certifications & Assurances
Joint Development
Grant Programs
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Emergency Relief Manual: A Reference Manual for States & Transit Agencies (49 U.S.C. 5324)
- Capital Investment Grants Program Policy Statement
- “Lump Sum” Insurance Settlements Policy Statement
- Hurricane Sandy Insurance Proceeds Policy Statement
- FAST Act Program Sheets
- TrAMS Guidance and Training
- Expedited Project Delivery Fact Sheet (Section 3005(b))
- Urbanized Area Formula Program Fact Sheet (Section 5307)
- Capital Investment Grant Fact Sheet (Section 5309)
- Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & People with Disabilities Fact Sheet (Section 5310)
- Formula Grants for Rural Areas Fact Sheet (Section 5311)
- Public Transportation Innovation (Research) Fact Sheet (Section 5312)
- Technical Assistance and Workforce Development Fact Sheet (Section 5314)
- Emergency Relief Program Fact Sheet (Section 5324)
- State of Good Repair Fact Sheet (Section 5337)
- Bus and Bus Facilities Fact Sheet (Section 5339)
- TrAMS User Guide
- User Guide for Federal Access Control and Entry System (FACES)
- TrAMS Basic Training for Recipients (webinar recording)
- Login on to TrAMS, Navigation, Workflow and Task (webinar recording)
- Recipient Profile Management & Migrated TEAM Information (webinar presentation)
- Understanding and Using TrAMS Data Reports
- FACES User Management Training (recording)
- FHWA and FRA Categorical Exclusion Information
- Guidance on Combining Multiple Funding Sources in a Single Application
- Executive Summary Questions - Update to the TrAMS Application Format (webinar recording)
- New TrAMS Applications/Super Grants (webinar recording)
- TEAM Budget Revisions Stakeholder Session (webinar recording)
- Initial FFR Report system changes
- Closeouts in TrAMS - External Session
- Closeouts in TrAMS - Session 1 (webinar recording)
- Closeouts in TrAMS - Session 2 (webinar recording)
- Initial Federal Financial Reports (FFR) Correction to Line E
- Dear Colleague Letter on Risk-Based Reporting Policy
- Milestone and Financial Reports (webinar recording)
- User Guide for Federal Access Control and Entry System (FACES)
- FY 2020 TrAMS User Recertification Webinar Presentation and Recorded Session
- User Manager Template
- How to Manage TrAMS Emails
- Delegation of Authority for PIN User Roles
- Frequently Asked Questions About Establishing a User Manager
- ECHO-Web User Manual
- ECHO-Web Training (recording)
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Reporting TrAMS Update
- Pilot Program for TOD Planning Fact Sheet (Section 2008(b))