The Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) regulation establishes minimum standards to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems and prevent injuries and fatalities for transit workers. Rail transit agencies nationwide are required to create programs and processes that focus on safety for workers who work on or near the rails in an area known as the track roadway. 

The rule applies to rail transit agencies in the State Safety Oversight (SSO) program, State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs), and transit workers who access the roadway to perform work.     

FTA published the RWP regulation on October 31, 2024. Rail transit agencies have until December 2, 2025 to establish an SSOA-approved RWP Program to improve worker safety consistent with the final rule. It is critical that transit agencies coordinate with their SSOAs to develop the RWP programs and set reasonable timeframes for completing their work. 

The rule mandates RWP program elements, including: 

• The creation of an RWP manual and track access guide 
• Requirements for on-track safety and supervision 
• Job safety briefings 
• Good-faith safety challenges and reporting unsafe acts and conditions and near-misses 
• Development and implementation of risk-based redundant protections for workers 
• Establishment of RWP training and qualification and RWP compliance monitoring activities 

Rail transit agencies are expected to use these Federal standards as a baseline and apply safety management system (SMS) processes to determine additional mitigations appropriate to address risks. SSOAs will oversee and enforce implementation of the RWP program requirements. 

Resources

Webinars 

Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection Final Rule Overview Webinar
FTA hosted a webinar to provide more information about the RWP regulation.
Presentation | Recording

Past Presentations

Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) in Rail Transit: FTA, Agency and Business Member Perspectives
June 2024 | Presentation

Overview of the Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
April 2024 | Presentation | Recording