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Environmental and Sustainability Management Systems

FTA encourages project sponsors to minimize the impact of their operations and construction through environmentally sound practices. An Environmental and Sustainability Management System (ESMS) is a set of processes and practices that enables an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase operating efficiency. The environmental benefits of implementing an ESMS include the enhanced ability to analyze, control, and reduce environmental impacts, such as air emissions and oil in waste water, and an associated reduction in the number, type, and severity of compliance incidents. Additionally, transit agencies have reported business benefits, including more efficient and controlled operations, cost savings, and improved relationships with employees, regulators, systems users, and the general public.

ESMS Resources and Trainings

FTA ESMS Training and Technical Assistance Program

FTA’s ESMS assistance program helps transit agencies develop and implement an ESMS at their facilities. Participants in the program receive training, on-site technical support visits, electronic materials and resources, and consultation to help develop an ESMS using standard 14001 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Transit agencies from across the country have participated in the program, ranging from medium sized agencies with bus and paratransit services to agencies with large, complex operations including ferry services, heavy rail, commuter rail, and bus rapid transit.

Note: FTA is not currently accepting participants for in-person training or technical assistance under this program, but refer to this web page for future program updates.

Technical Assistance Final Reports

See the final reports below from each completed round of the program for more details about each participant’s ESMS and the benefits they achieved from implementing an ESMS: