USA Banner

Official US Government Icon

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Site Icon

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Bus-to-Person Collisions Safety Advisory 23-1

Overview

Bus-to-Person Collisions Safety Advisory Image
Source: Improving Safety for Pedestrians and Bicyclists Accessing Transit Report

On September 19, 2023, FTA issued Safety Advisory 23-1: Bus-to-Person Collisions to recommend that transit agencies that provide bus service consider mitigation strategies to reduce bus-to-person collisions to help reduce the likelihood and severity of bus collisions with pedestrians, bicyclists and micromobility users.

Data from the National Transit Database shows that bus-to-person collisions remain a top safety concern accounting for 15 percent of fatalities from 2008 to 2021, with left turns as a predominant risk focus area.

To improve bus safety, bus transit agencies should identify specific hazards that may cause or contribute to bus-to-person collisions, assess the associated safety risk and implement appropriate mitigations to reduce the likelihood and severity of those collisions. At a minimum, agencies should consider the following bus operator vision impairment when conducting their safety risk assessments.

As a part of its safety risk assessment, FTA identified the following hazards that may result in bus-to-persons collisions:

  • Bus operator vision impairment due to components of the bus design
  • Bus operator vision impairment due to obstructions and activity outside of the bus
  • Entry into the bus path by pedestrians, bicyclists and other micromobility users
  • Limited space at bus stops and adjacent sidewalks 

FTA will roll out resources and engage with the industry on this topic area over the next several years. FTA will post bus-to-person collision resources on this website and send notifications once these resources are available. 

For further questions regarding this Safety Advisory, please email FTASystemSafety@dot.gov.

What's New

Webinar

Data from the National Transit Database shows that bus-to-person collisions remain a top safety concern accounting for 15 percent of fatalities from 2008 to 2021. FTA issued Safety Advisory 23-1 on September 19, 2023, recommending transit agencies that provide bus service consider mitigation strategies to reduce bus-to-person collisions. This webinar will review key elements from the Safety Advisory, share resources available to assist transit agencies with safety risk assessments and mitigation implementation pertaining to bus-to-person collisions and will feature a transit agency guest speaker who will share their experience with addressing risks associated with bus-to-person collisions, including mitigation strategies and lessons learned. 

FTA Safety Advisory 23-1: Bus-to-Person Collisions
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Presentation | Recording

Safety Risk Management Bus-to-Person Collisions Mitigations

From 2008 to 2021, bus modes reported to the National Transit Database (NTD) 7,298 bus-to-person collisions. This accounted for 537 fatalities, or 15 percent of all transit fatalities, and 7,329 injuries.  
From 2008 to 2021, bus modes reported to the National Transit Database (NTD) 7,298 bus-to-person collisions. This accounted for 537 fatalities, or 15 percent of all transit fatalities, and 7,329 injuries.  
Between 2017 and 2021, the National Transit Database (NTD) suggests 42% of bus-to-person collisions have occurred in roadway intersections, 38% in mid-block of roadway and 15% at bus stops.
From 2017-2021, the National Transit Database (NTD) suggests 42% of bus-to-person collisions have occurred in roadway intersections, 38% in mid-block of roadway and 15% at bus stops.
From 2017-2021 most collisions occur at roadway intersections (42 percent), and from that set, approximately 54 percent occurred at a crosswalk.
From 2017-2021 most collisions occur at roadway intersections (42 percent), and from that set, approximately 54 percent occurred at a crosswalk.
Of the 513 injuries and fatalities which occurred at intersections with crosswalk pedestrians, the above chart shows the movement of the bus involved in those events. Note that 53 percent of those collisions occurred when the bus was turning left.
Of the 513 injuries and fatalities which occurred at intersections with crosswalk pedestrians, the above chart shows the movement of the bus involved in those events.  Note that 53 percent of those collisions occurred when the bus was turning left.
Of the collisions that occurred at mid-block of roadways, bicyclists were predominantly struck from the side (62 percent), while pedestrians were predominantly struck head-on or in the front (60 percent).
Of the collisions that occurred at mid-block of roadways, collisions with bicyclists predominantly occurred on the side of the bus (62%), while pedestrians crossing the street outside of crosswalks were predominantly hit head-on or in the front (60 percent) by buses.
An overall risk rating of 4D is recommended. Because this rating falls within a red tile, the SRM program is required to recommend mitigations to address a hazard. 

Resources

Federal Highway Administration

Federal Highway Administration
Federal Transit Administration

Federal Transit Administration
Mineta Transportation Institute

Mineta Transportation Institute
Rutgers, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

Rutgers, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)

Transportation Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)
United States Department of Transportation

United States Department of Transportation
Virginia Department of Transportation

Virginia Department of Transportation