The use of standards in the public transportation industry has grown significantly in recent years. At APTA, more than 30 committees and 800 transit industry professionals are actively participating in five major voluntary standards development programs. These programs cut across all modes and are focused on key elements of transit operations and maintenance including the design of bus and rail vehicles; the development of operating practices; inspection and maintenance guidelines for vehicles and facilities; the interoperability and interchangeability of component systems and parts; as well as the adoption of definitions for data structures so that electronic components can exchange information.
The reasons for this growing support for and participation in standards development programs at APTA is simple - "It makes good business sense." Standards improve safety, increase productivity and efficiency, reduce costs and avoid unnecessary government regulation. More than 160 standards and best practice guidelines have been developed by APTA's modal standards groups to date, and more will be published soon. These standards will help to improve the safety and performance of participating transit systems, foster innovation and competition among their suppliers and most importantly add value to their customers.
APTA's Executive Committee recently completed an extensive analysis of the industry's current standards development programs and an evaluation of future needs and interests. From this effort several key strategies emerged.
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First, to officially declare APTA as a Standards Development Organization (SDO). This action has been taken enabling APTA to gain recognition among other SDOs and to compete for federal funds
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Second, to build a standards development infrastructure serving all sectors and interests in the industry. A Standards Development Oversight Council (SDOC) has been appointed and procedures and processes have been put in place to guide future development activities and programs.
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Third, under the direction of the SDOC a permanent funding mechanism has been established to support these programs. A $1 million grant for APTA’s FY’06 program from the Federal Transit Administration to support the standards activities of SDOC.
What Are Standards?