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Approval of the 2026 RTA Agency Safety Plan
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DESCRIPTION: Approval of the 2026 RTA Agency Safety Plan |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
To approve and adopt the 2026 revision to RTA’s Agency Safety Plan (“ASP”) as written and recommended by staff, to satisfy Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD, in the capacity of RTA’s State Safety Oversight Agency) safety plan requirements.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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A formally approved revision of the ASP is required annually by LADOTD, serving in the capacity of RTA’s State Safety Oversight Agency under Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”) Part 674, and by FTA. Typically, this revision is presented to the Board of Commissioners for consideration annually. Staff is recommending that the Board of Commissioners approve the revised ASP to be immediately executed by management and staff pursuant to federal and state requirements. The ASP is the foundational policy document that defines roles, responsibilities, and processes for managing safety and provides guidance to staff on Safety Management System (SMS) principles, including: how to identify hazards, assess corresponding safety risk, develop and implement safety risk mitigations, and monitor mitigations to ensure they are properly implemented and effective.
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DISCUSSION:
The RTA Board of Commissioners has previously approved each of six (6) prior iterations of the ASP since 2020, specifically on the following dates: July 28, 2020, March 23, 2021, January 25, 2022, December 13, 2022, January 23, 2024, and January 28, 2025. The latter is the version that is currently in effect. This revision for 2026 includes continued enhancements to multiple sections, reflects changes to RTA’s organizational structure, incorporates new required elements for Risk-Based Inspections (RBI) and for Roadway Worker Protection (RWP), and includes updated safety performance and “risk reduction program” targets as required by FTA. A full tracked changes version of the document is included for review. LADOTD has reviewed the draft ASP and provided their written, tentative concurrence as of December 15, 2025 (a copy of which is attached). Subsequently, as is now required by FTA, RTA’s Labor-Management Safety Committee, consisting of 50% labor and 50% management representatives, voted to approve the plan as written on January 31, 2026. RTA’s ASP meets or exceeds all relevant federal and state requirements. Staff will continue to develop and refine the ASP in subsequent revisions to ensure it remains actionable, has the full support of the executive leadership, reflects collaboration between RTA and its labor unions, and drives continuous improvement throughout the agency.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
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NEXT STEPS:
Upon formal adoption, the Chief Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Officer will send a final copy to LADOTD to satisfy reporting requirements. Staff will disseminate and commence execution of the plan, providing periodic implementation updates upon request. All departments share responsibilities for Plan implementation, as outlined in Section 1 of the Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. 2026 Agency Safety Plan
3. 2026 Agency Safety Plan (tracked changes version)
4. Tentative approval from LADOTD via e-mail, dated December 15, 2025
Prepared By: Ivana Butler
Title: Administrative Analyst - Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
Reviewed By: Michael J. Smith
Title: Chief Safety, Security & Emergency Management Officer
2/4/2026
Lona Edwards Hankins Date
Chief Executive Officer