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State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program

Safety officers attend demonstration at Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore

The purpose of the State Safety Oversight program is to oversee safety at rail transit systems. The SSO program is administered by eligible states with rail transit systems in their jurisdiction. FTA provides federal funds through the SSO Formula Grant Program for eligible states to develop or carry out their SSO programs. Under 49 U.S.C. Section 5329(e), as amended by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), FTA is required to certify each state’s program to ensure compliance with MAP-21. Review the list of SSO agencies.

What's New

2025 FTA Joint SSO and RTA Workshop

Registration is now open for the 2025 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Joint State Safety Oversight (SSO) and Rail Transit Agency (RTA) Workshop at the Hyatt Regency, in Arlington, Virginia, from Tuesday, May 6 through Thursday, May 8, 2025, for the following audiences:

  • Tuesday, May 6: In-person for FTA and State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) only; no sessions for RTAs.
  • Wednesday, May 7: In-person for both SSOAs and RTAs.
  • Thursday, May 8: In-person for both SSOAs and RTAs.

Please register for the workshop to receive hotel and additional save the date information.

State Safety Oversight Final Rule Updates

FTA has published updates to the State Safety Oversight (SSO) regulation in the Federal Register to further strengthen the existing SSO program. These updates implement new requirements of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, remove outdated references, clarify existing requirements and simplify notification requirements. Effective January 1, 2025.

On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, FTA hosted a webinar about updates to the SSO Final Rule and presenters addressed questions submitted by attendees.

Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

On Monday, March 25, 2024, FTA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register proposing minimum safety standards for Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection (RWP). The public comment period closed on May 24, 2024.

State Safety Oversight Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

On November 15, 2023, FTA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register proposing updated requirements for the State Safety Oversight regulation. The public comment period closed on Thursday, February 15, 2024.

State Safety Oversight Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Overview Webinar
Thursday, November 30, 2023
Presentation | Recording

Risk-Based Inspection Programs

On October 21, 2022, FTA issued special directives to all State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOA), the agencies that oversee safety at rail transit systems, to develop and implement a risk-based inspection program in accordance with changes to FTA’s Public Transportation Safety Program as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. A risk-based inspection program uses qualitative and quantitative data analysis to inform inspection activities and is designed to prioritize safety concerns and hazards associated with the highest levels of risk. Learn more about risk-based inspection programs.

SSO Certification

State Safety Oversight Final Rule

Training

Webinar: Guide to Meeting Technical Training Plan Requirements for SSO Agencies (June 10, 2015)

SSO Formula Grant Program

Advisories and Technical Assistance

Last updated: Wednesday, January 8, 2025