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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

FTA Special Directives

FTA may issue special directives to one or more named recipients of FTA funding when it: 

  • believes that a recipient is engaging in conduct, or there is evidence of a pattern or practice of a recipient’s conduct, in violation of the Public Transportation Safety Program or any regulation or directive issued under those laws for which the Administrator exercises enforcement authority for safety; 
  • determines that an unsafe condition or practice, or a combination of unsafe conditions and practices, exists such that there is a substantial risk of death or personal injury, or damage to property or equipment; or 
  • determines that the public interest requires the avoidance or mitigation of a hazard or risk through immediate compliance.  

Table of Contents

Special Directives to Rail Transit Agencies* 

  • Special Directive 24-6: Required actions for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit (NYCT) to take action to address an escalating pattern of safety incidents and concerns affecting NYCT transit workers.
  • Special Directive 24-3: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority related to bus and rail safety issues contributing to safety events. (July 2024)
  • Special Directive 24-2: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority related to SEPTA’s System Safety Division’s and Control Center’s capacity to ensure safe operations. (July 2024)
  • Special Directive 24-1: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority related to worker safety. (July 2024)
  • Special Directive 22-12: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to operating conditions and policies, procedures, and training (August 31, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-11: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to the effectiveness of safety communication (August 31, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-10: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to prioritization of safety management information (August 31, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-9: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to managing the impact of operations, maintenance, and capital project requirements on the existing workforce (August 31, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-7: Required actions to address findings from Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to lapsed certifications (June 15, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-6: Required actions to address findings from Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to the operations control center (June 15, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-5: Required actions to address findings from Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to vehicle securement of disabled trains (June 15, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-4: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority related to track maintenance (June 15, 2022)
  • Special Directive 18-3:  Special Directive to Chicago Transit Authority and the Illinois Department of Transportation to address risks associated with the proximity of third rail to highway-railroad grade crossings (March 30, 2018)
  • Special Directive 18-2: Required actions to address safety findings identified by the Tri-State Oversight Committee Triennial Reviews of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail (January 19, 2018)
  • Special Directive 17-1: Required actions to address traction power electrification system issues at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail (December 9, 2016)
  • Safety Directive 16-6: Required actions to address vehicle securement issues at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail (August 24, 2016)
  • Safety Directive 16-5: Required actions to address stop signal overruns at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail (August 15, 2016)
  • Safety Directive 16-4: Required actions to address track integrity at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail (August 8, 2016)
  • Safety Directive 16-3: Required actions to address persistent critical open safety findings at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail (May 7, 2016)
  • Safety Directive 16-2: Required actions by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail to address open safety findings issued by Tri-State Oversight Committee (December 15, 2015)
  • Safety Directive 16-1: Safety oversight for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail system conducted by the Federal Transit Administration (October 26, 2015)
  • Safety Directive 15-1: Required action by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to conduct public transportation safety improvements to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Metrorail and Metrobus systems (June 17, 2015)

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Special Directives to State Safety Oversight Agencies

  • Special Directive 24-7: Required actions for the New York Public Transportation Safety Board to perform additional oversight activities to address an escalating pattern of safety incidents and concerns affecting transit workers at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit.
  • Special Directive 24-5: Required actions by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to address findings from the Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority related to the need for enhanced State Safety Oversight of SEPTA (July 2024)  
  • Special Directive 24-4: Required actions by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to address findings from the Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority related to State Safety Oversight staffing and resources at PennDOT (July 2024) 
  • Special Directive 23-1: Required actions by the Illinois Department of Transportation to address a pattern of insufficient staffing (October 26, 2023)
  • Special Directive 22-13: Required actions by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to address findings from the Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (August 31, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-8: Required actions by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to address findings from the Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (June 15, 2022)  
  • Special Directive 22-1: Required actions to close corrective actions from the Georgia Department of Transportation Allegations of Noncompliance Investigation of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority and Allegations of Conflict of Interest Claim with the Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner (April 5, 2022)
  • Special Directive 18-3: Required action by the Chicago Transit Authority and the Illinois Department of Transportation to address risks associated with the proximity of third rail to highway-railroad grade crossings (March 30, 2018)  
  • Special Directive 18-1: Required actions to address findings from the Federal Transit Administration State Safety Oversight Audit at the New York State Department of Transportation, Public Transportation Safety Board (November 2, 2017)  

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Special Directives on Required Actions Regarding Transit Worker Assault

  • Special Directive 22-14: Required actions by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-15: Required actions by the Chicago Transit Authority to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-16: Required actions by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-17: Required actions by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-18: Required actions by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-19: Required actions by the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-20: Required actions by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-21: Required actions by the Metro Transit to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-22: Required action by the City of Albuquerque Transit Department to submit documentation regarding how the transit agency has assessed and is mitigating and monitoring transit worker assault safety risk in their transit system (October 4, 2022)

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Special Directives on Risk-Based Inspection Programs

  • Special Directive 22-23: Required actions by the Arizona Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022)
  • Special Directive 22-24: Required actions by the Arkansas Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-25: Required actions by the California Public Utilities Commission to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-26: Required actions by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-27: Required actions by the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-28: Required actions by the Florida Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-29: Required actions by the Georgia Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-30: Required actions by the Hawaii Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-31: Required actions by the Illinois Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-32: Required actions by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-33: Required actions by the Maryland Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-34: Required actions by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-35: Required actions by the Michigan Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-36: Required actions by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-37: Required actions by the Missouri Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-38: Required actions by the New Jersey Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-39: Required actions by the New York Public Transportation Safety Board to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-40: Required actions by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-41: Required actions by the Ohio Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-42: Required actions by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-43: Required actions by the Oregon Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-44: Required actions by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022)  
  • Special Directive 22-45: Required actions by the Puerto Rico State of Emergency and Disaster Management Agency to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-46: Required actions by the Tennessee Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-47: Required actions by the Texas Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022)  
  • Special Directive 22-48: Required actions by the Utah Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-49: Required actions by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-50: Required actions by the Washing Metrorail Safety Commission to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-51: Required actions by the Washington State Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-52: Required actions by the West Virginia Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 
  • Special Directive 22-53: Required actions by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (October 21, 2022) 

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*As a result of the FTA Public Transportation Safety Program Final Rule (September 2016), the term 'Special Directive' replaces the term 'Safety Directive' with no change in its purpose. In addition, a Special Directive may be issued to a combination of rail transit agencies and/or state safety oversight agencies.

Last updated: Wednesday, August 14, 2024