Safety & Security

APTA recognizes four systems with 2022 Rail Safety and Security Excellence Awards

June 8, 2022

Rail systems in Miami, Washington, D.C., New Orleans and Vancouver, British Columbia, earned accolades for their innovative and proactive safety and security initiatives.

Mischa Wanek-Libman

Kevin Hozendorf presents 2022 Rail Safety Gold Award to British Columbia Rapid Transit Company, left, and the 2022 Rail Security Gold Award to Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Miami-Dade Transit.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognized its 2022 Rail Safety and Security Excellence Awards on June 7 at the association’s annual rail conference, which is being held in San Diego, Calif.

The awards recognize transit providers who have implemented “innovative and proactive safety and security programs.” APTA says its Rail Safety and Security Excellence Awards “help to build the industry by benchmarking successful initiatives so other systems can implement and fine-tune their programs based on the findings of their peers.”

APTA explains nominations for the awards are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation and transferability. The top honor is the Gold Award, which is presented to organizations with the best example of a safety or security program. A Certificate of Merit is given to organizations in recognition of exceptional achievement in safety or security.

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority earned a Certificate of Merit in Safety and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority earned a Certificate of Merit in Security.

The Gold Award in safety went to the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company in Vancouver, British Columbia, for its Zero Harm initiative that has resulted in reduced lost time incidents, improved reporting and better accountability.

The Gold Award in security went to Miami-Dade County Department of Transportation and Public Works, Miami-Dade Transit, which has reduced crime on its system by 30 percent in part by working closely with its partners in the Miami Police Department.

“Each and every day, our rail professionals closely work together to provide safe, efficient and comfortable transportation to all Americans. The industry constantly seeks new avenues of addressing security and safety needs, implementing fixes and sharing the results with their colleagues across the country. I want to congratulate those being honored for their contributions to the industry,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “Their work provides the bulwark that makes public transportation more efficient and safer for their passengers, employees, and communities nationwide.”

The association recognized bus systems with safety and security awards at APTA Mobility 2022, which was held in Columbus, Ohio, in May 2022.

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Editor in Chief

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the magazine’s editorial direction and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.