Transit and Mobility in Rural Transportation Safety

On September 17-18, the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) participated in a U.S. Department of Transportation peer exchange related to rural transportation safety. NADO Associate Director Carrie Kissel shared information on how rural transit and mobility interventions function in a safe multimodal transportation network.

1. Transit & Mobility in Rural Transportation Safety Carrie Kissel Rural Safety Peer Exchange Atlanta, GA | September 17-18, 2024

2. Presentation topics About NADO/NADORF Why multimodal safety matters Transit safety requirements Transit as a safe mode More resources

3. About NADO National association for 540 regional development organizations, including emerging network of Rural Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs or RPOs). Promote public policies that strengthen local governments, communities and economies through the regional strategies, coordination efforts and program expertise of the nation’s regional development organizations. Through the NADO Research Foundation , provide information, training, capacity building, and technical assistance for regional development organizations and their partners.

4. Why safety matters Residents and visitors to rural communities need safe access and reliable mobility options to Employment Training Shopping Services Social events

5. Building safety culture Transit agency managers are responsible for: Vehicle safety Driver safety Drug & alcohol; driver training; pre-trip vehicle inspections; etc. Passenger safety Safe boarding & deboarding; securing mobility devices Emergency procedures Recipients of FTA 5307 urban transit funding must complete a Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan Some states apply this to rural 5311 sub-recipients

6. On-board with safety

7. Transit is a safe mode Vehicle Type Total Percent Passenger Cars 20049 33.1 Light Trucks 25807 42.7 Large Trucks 5837 9.6 Motorcycles 6359 10.5 Buses 213 0.4 Other/Unknown 2236 3.7 Total 60501 100 Buses 213 0.4 School Bus 91 0.2 Intercity Bus 14 0.0 Transit Bus 74 0.1 Other Bus 34 0.1 Note: There were 39,221 total fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2022 Source: NHTSA, FARS 2022, Vehicles involved in fatal crashes by vehicle type, https://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Vehicles/VehiclesAllVehicles.aspx

8. Transit & mobility as a safety intervention

9. Transit operates best in a safe system

10. Resources & Contact Info Carrie Kissel, Associate Director [email protected] 202-643-9560 www.NADO.org www.Rural Transportation.org