Most transit properties in this country are not obligated to follow the guidelines of the FRA because they are not connected to the General Railway System. Those transit properties have developed their own set of Safety Standards. Most follow the general outline of the FRA.
APTA has now taken the lead for establishing Safety Standards within the Transit and Light Rail communities. In order to understand the principles of the Safety Standards, an employee must have a good knowledge of track criteria such as gauge, alignment, surface and components. In order to achieve a higher level of understanding, the worker should be able to answer questions such as:
- Why we must take extra precautions at approaches?
- Why should we never tamp the middle of the railroad tie?