The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) recently hosted the webinar Transit Worker Fatigue and Developing Fatigue Risk Management Programs, bringing together industry leaders to discuss fatigue-related safety risks and practical approaches to mitigating them. The webinar featured presentations by Ethan Novak, Program Analyst in FTA’s Office of Transit Safety Oversight; Lisa Staes, Associate Director for the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR); and Sofia Dellis, Human Factors Program Specialist at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
Novak opened the session with an overview of transit worker fatigue, its impact on employee performance and safety, and the key findings of FTA’s newly issued Safety Bulletin 26-01: Transit Worker Fatigue. He discussed fatigue-related incidents across the transit industry and outlined recommended actions that agencies can take to reduce fatigue risks, including the development of Fatigue Risk Management Programs (FRMP) and fatigue reporting processes.
Representing CUTR, Staes provided an in-depth look at the science and operational realities of transit worker fatigue and examined proven methods for identifying, evaluating, and mitigating fatigue-related risks. Her presentation focused on the essential components of an effective FRMPs, including organizational policies, employee education, hazard identification, risk assessment, reporting mechanisms, and continuous monitoring. Staes emphasized the importance of integrating fatigue management into an agency’s existing Safety Management System (SMS), enabling transit agencies to proactively address fatigue before it contributes to workplace incidents or operational disruptions.
The webinar concluded with WMATA’s Sofia Dellis sharing practical insights from the agency’s implementation of a mature FRMP. Dellis discussed how WMATA addresses fatigue in both rail and bus operations and highlighted lessons learned that can help other transit agencies strengthen their fatigue management efforts.
As fatigue continues to be recognized as a critical safety issue across the transportation industry, the webinar highlighted the value of comprehensive, data-driven fatigue management strategies. Through its leadership in transit safety research, training, and workforce development, CUTR remains committed to advancing best practices that help transit agencies improve safety performance and support employee well-being.
- Watch the webinar recording
- View the presentation slides
