The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) regulation at 49 C.F.R. Part 673.25(b)(1) requires transit agencies to “establish methods or processes to identify hazards and the consequences of hazards” as part of their overall Safety Management System (SMS).

This document introduces a sample classification system for hazards in the transit environment. It suggests categories, groups them by type, and provides examples of specific transit safety hazards in each. The purpose of this document is not to prescribe a one-size-fits-all approach but rather to provide a model for transit agencies to consider in the initial stages of SMS development and implementation. It may also be useful for rail and bus transit agencies and State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) with more advanced SMS implementation or oversight processes to promote common understanding. This document does not address security threats or vulnerabilities.