REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form Approved 

OMB No. 0704-0188 

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Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington, DC 20503. 

1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 

December 2001 

3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED 

Final Report 

January 2000–December 2000 

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 

Drug and Alcohol Testing Results 2000 Annual Report 

5. FUNDING NUMBERS 

TM259/U2139 

6. AUTHOR(S) 

Richard Anderson,* Brian Baker,** Rene Buchanan, Suzanne Chen, Randy Clarke,* Charity 

Coleman,* Jessica Paddock,* Michael Redington, and Eve Rutyna* 

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Research and Special Programs Administration 

John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 

55 Broadway 

Cambridge, MA 02142-1093 

8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 

REPORT NUMBER 

DOT-VNTSC-FTA-02-01 

9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Federal Transit Administration 

Office of Safety and Security 

Washington, DC 20590 

10. SPONSORING/MONITORING 

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER 

FTA-MA-26-5010-02-1 

11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 

* EG&G Technical Services, Inc. **Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 

55 Broadway 150 CambridgePark Drive, Suite 4000 

Cambridge, MA 02142-1093 Cambridge, MA 02140 

12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 

This document is available to the public through the National Technical Information Service, 

Springfield, VA 22161 

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE 

13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words) 

The Drug and Alcohol Testing Results 2000 Annual Report is a compilation and analysis of drug and alcohol testing results 

reported by transit systems in the United States during 2000. The report covers results for the following drug types: marijuana 

(THC), cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), opiates, and amphetamines. The drug test types covered are: pre-employment, random, 

post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up. The report also covers testing results for alcohol for the 

following test types: random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up. Now that there are 5 years 

worth of data, the report has an increased focus on trend analysis. 

14. SUBJECT TERMS 

alcohol testing, drug testing, FTA-covered employees, random testing, safety-sensitive, violation 

rate 

15. NUMBER OF PAGES 

96 

16. PRICE CODE 

17.SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 

OF REPORT 

Unclassified 

18.SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 

OF THIS PAGE 

Unclassified 

19. SECURITY 

CLASSIFICATION OF THIS 

ABSTRACT 

Unclassified 

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT 

Unlimited 

NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)

Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18 

298-102
PREFACE 

This annual report represents the cooperative efforts of many people. Extensive 

appreciation is extended to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal 

Transit Administration, the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, and 

the following individuals who were instrumental in guiding this project and 

contributing to its success: 

Mark A. Snider 

Drug and Alcohol Program Manager 

Federal Transit Administration 

James A. Harrison 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 

Michael R. Redington 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

Volpe National Transportation Systems Center 

iii 2000 Annual Report 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Section Page 

1. INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Who Must Report.......................................................................................... 1-1 

1.2 Employees Who Must be Tested .................................................................. 1-2 

1.3 Types of Tests............................................................................................... 1-3 

1.4 Drug Testing Program Overview.................................................................. 1-4 

1.5 Alcohol Testing Program Overview ............................................................. 1-4 

1.6 Drug and Alcohol MIS Data Quality and Validation ................................... 1-5 

1.7 Availability of Drug and Alcohol MIS Documentation ............................... 1-5 

1.8 Organization of this Report........................................................................... 1-5 

2. GENERAL INFORMATION ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL FORMS 

2.1 Distribution of Transit Systems and Contractors.......................................... 2-2 

2.2 Drug and Alcohol Forms Received by Region............................................. 2-3 

2.3 FTA-Covered Employees ............................................................................. 2-3 

2.4 Federal Funds................................................................................................ 2-9 

3. DRUG TEST RESULTS 

3.1 Positive Drug Rates for 2000........................................................................ 3-2 

3.2 Drug Test Results by FTA Region................................................................ 3-3 

3.3 Results of Drug Tests Presented by Test Types............................................ 3-4 

3.4 Post-Accident Testing................................................................................... 3-9 

3.5 Distribution of Positive Drug Test Results by Type of Drug ..................... 3-11 

3.6 Drug Test Refusals...................................................................................... 3-16 

3.7 Return-to-Duty Positive Rate...................................................................... 3-17 

3.8 Results of Drug Tests Presented by Employee Category ........................... 3-17 

4. ALCOHOL TEST RESULTS 

4.1 Alcohol Tests by FTA Region ...................................................................... 4-4 

4.2 Results of Alcohol Testing by Test Type and Employee Category.............. 4-5 

4.3 Alcohol Testing Refusals............................................................................ 4-14 

4.4 Employees Returned to Duty...................................................................... 4-14 

4.5 Accidents..................................................................................................... 4-15 

4.6 Post-Accident Positives .............................................................................. 4-16 

4.7 Violation Rate ............................................................................................. 4-16 

4.8 Other Violations.......................................................................................... 4-18 

v 
TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) 

Section Page 

5. TREND ANALYSIS 

5.1 Drug and Alcohol Reports Received ............................................................ 5-1 

5.2 Positive Drug and Alcohol Test Results ....................................................... 5-3 

5.3 Violation Rates and Test Refusals ................................................................ 5-5 

5.4 Drug and Alcohol Test Positives by Employment Category and Test 

Type .............................................................................................................. 5-7 

5.5 Drug and Alcohol Test Positives – Regional Comparisons........................ 5-10 

APPENDICES 

A-Glossary ...................................................................................................................... A-1

B-FTA Regions................................................................................................................B-1 

vi 
LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure Page 

1-1. FTA Federal Funding Sources............................................................................. 1-1 

2-1. Number of Drug and Alcohol Forms Received ................................................... 2-2 

2-2. Drug and Alcohol Forms Received by Employer Size........................................ 2-2 

2-3. Number of FTA Drug and Alcohol Forms Received by Region......................... 2-3 

2-4. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Employee Category............................ 2-4 

2-5. Percent of FTA-Covered Employees in Each Employee Category-Transit 

System.................................................................................................................. 2-4 

2-6. Percent of FTA-Covered Employees in Each Employee Category-Contractors. 2-5 

2-7. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Employee Category-Large, Small, and 

Rural Systems ...................................................................................................... 2-5 

2-8. Percent of All FTA-Covered Employees for Large Operators ............................ 2-6 

2-9. Percent of All FTA-Covered Employees for Small Operators ............................ 2-6 

2-10. Percent of All FTA-Covered Employees Reporting for Rural Operators............ 2-7 

2-11. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Employer Size .................................... 2-7 

2-12. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Region ................................................ 2-8 

2-13. FTA-Covered Employees by Region/Size........................................................... 2-8 

2-14. Percentage of FTA Funding Recipients Who Receive Specific Funding............ 2-9 

2-15. Number of Transit Systems that Received Federal Funds by Source of Funding 

and by FTA Region.............................................................................................. 2-9 

3-1. Random Drug Test Results by FTA Region........................................................ 3-3 

3-2. Percent of Positives by FTA Region.................................................................... 3-4 

3-3. Percentage of Drug Types Detected for All Positive Specimens ...................... 3-12 

3-4. Number of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug for Each Employer Type ..... 3-12 

3-5. Percent of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug for Each Employer Type....... 3-13 

3-6. Percent of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug and Operator Size ................. 3-13 

3-7. Number and Type of Drug by FTA Region....................................................... 3-14 

3-8. Percent of Positive Specimens by FTA Region and Type of Drug ................... 3-14 

3-9. Number of Positive Specimens by Employee Category and Type of Drug ...... 3-15 

3-10. Percent of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug and Employee Category........ 3-15 

3-11. Drug Test Refusals............................................................................................. 3-17 

4-1. Consequences of an Alcohol Test for FTA-Covered Employees........................ 4-2 

4-2. Positive Alcohol Rates by Region ....................................................................... 4-4 

4-3. Positive Random Alcohol Rates by Region......................................................... 4-4 

4-4. Alcohol Test Refusals........................................................................................ 4-14 

4-5. Alcohol Violation Rate by Region..................................................................... 4-17 

5-1. Drug and Alcohol Reports Received ................................................................... 5-2 

5-2. Comparison of Verified Positive Random Drug Test Results............................. 5-3 

5-3. Comparison of Random Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 ......................................... 5-4 

5-4. Percent of Verified Drug Test Positives .............................................................. 5-4 

5-5. Percentage of All Alcohol Screening Test Results > 0.04................................... 5-5 

5-6. Violation Rate (Alcohol)...................................................................................... 5-6 

vii
LIST OF FIGURES (cont.) 

Figure Page 

5-7. Alcohol Test Refusals.......................................................................................... 5-6 

5-8. Drug Test Refusals............................................................................................... 5-7 

5-9. Drug Test Results by Test Type, 1996 to 2000 ................................................... 5-8 

5-10. Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 by Test Type, 1996 to 2000.................................. 5-10 

5-11. Comparison of Verified Test Positives by Drug Type, 1996 to 2000 ............... 5-10 

5-12. Random Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 by Region............................................... 5-10 

5-13. Verified Positive Random Drug Tests by Region.............................................. 5-11 

5-14. Percent of Verified Positive Random Drug Tests by Drug Type ...................... 5-11 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table Page 

ES-1. 1996 to 2000 Positive Random Drug Test Results ............................................ES-4 

ES-2. 1996 to 2000 Random Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 ..........................................ES-5 

ES-3. 1996 to 2000 Percent of Positive Drug Test Results .........................................ES-5 

ES-4. 1996 to 2000 Percent of Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 .......................................ES-5 

ES-5. 1996 to 2000 Percent of Positive Drug Test Results/Employee Category ........ES-6 

ES-6. 1996 to 2000 Alcohol Test Results > 0.04/Employee Category........................ES-6 

3-1. 2000 Positive Rate ............................................................................................... 3-2 

3-2. 2000 Random Drug Test Results ......................................................................... 3-2 

3-3. Random Drug Test Results by Operator Size ...................................................... 3-3 

3-4. Drug Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category................................... 3-5 

3-5. Drug Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Size ...................... 3-7 

3-6. Accidents Which Resulted in a Post-Accident Positive ...................................... 3-9 

3-7. Accidents Which Resulted in a Post-Accident Positive by Operator Size ........ 3-10 

3-8. Accidents Which Resulted in a Post-Accident Positive by Region................... 3-10 

3-9. Post-Accident Drug Test Positives by Employee Category .............................. 3-10 

3-10. Multiple Drug Combinations ............................................................................. 3-16 

3-11. Number of Covered Employees Who Returned-to-Duty................................... 3-17 

3-12. Drug Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Transit System and 

Contractor .......................................................................................................... 3-18 

3-13. Drug Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Size .................... 3-20 

4-1. Percent of Alcohol Forms Received for 2000 with at Least One Positive Test 

Result ................................................................................................................... 4-3 

4-2. Random Alcohol Test Results at Both Levels for Transit Systems and 

Contractors........................................................................................................... 4-3 

4-3. Random Alcohol Test Results at Both Levels by Size ........................................ 4-3 

4-4. Random Alcohol Test Results at Both Levels by Region.................................... 4-5 

viii 
LIST OF TABLES (cont.) 

Table Page 

4-5. Alcohol Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Transit System 

and Contractor...................................................................................................... 4-6 

4-6. Alcohol Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Size ................. 4-8 

4-7. Alcohol Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Transit System

and Contractor.................................................................................................... 4-10 

4-8. Alcohol Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Size ............... 4-12 

4-9. Number of Covered Employees Who Returned-to-Duty................................... 4-14 

4-10. Accidents with Alcohol Positives ...................................................................... 4-15 

4-11. Accidents with Alcohol Positives by Size ......................................................... 4-15 

4-12. Post-Accident Alcohol Positives........................................................................ 4-16 

4-13. Violation Rate by Transit System/Contractor.................................................... 4-17 

4-14. Violation Rate by Employer Size ...................................................................... 4-17 

4-15. Violation Rate by FTA Region.......................................................................... 4-18 

4-16. Other Alcohol Violations................................................................................... 4-18 

5-1. Percent of Drug Reports with a Verified Positive and Alcohol Reports with a 

Test Result > 0.04 ................................................................................................ 5-2 

5-2. Drug Positive Rate for 1996 to 2000 ................................................................... 5-3 

ix 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

INTRODUCTION 

This annual report presents the results of mandatory drug and alcohol testing conducted by 

transit systems and their contractors who receive funds from the Federal Transit Administration 

(FTA). Under the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act passed by Congress in 1991, 

the FTA was required to establish regulations for drug and alcohol testing of transit employees 

performing safety-sensitive functions. These regulations require that each recipient of FTA 

funds: (1) implement an anti-drug program to deter and detect the use of prohibited drugs, (2) 

establish a program to prevent the misuse of alcohol, and (3) report the results of its programs to 

FTA annually. The 2000 Annual Report is the sixth annual report summarizing the reported 

results of drug and alcohol tests from all such transit systems. 

Compliance with FTA’s drug and alcohol testing program is a condition of federal assistance. 

Failure of a recipient to establish and implement a drug and alcohol testing program − either in 

its own operations or in those of an entity operating on its behalf − may result in the suspension 

of federal transit funding to the recipient. Because a recipient may not always directly provide 

mass transit services, the FTA uses the term “operator” or “employer” to describe those who 

actually provide transit services. The direct recipient of FTA funds, however, is the entity 

legally responsible to the FTA for compliance. 

DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSIT SYSTEMS AND CONTRACTORS 

The FTA received drug and alcohol MIS reporting forms for calendar year 2000 from 2,657 

individual employers representing 1,700 transit systems and 957contractors. Of the individual 

employers, 869 were large operators, 372 were small operators, and 1,416 were rural operators. 

A total of 1,657 of all employers reported being a member of a consortium. Approximately 74 

percent of all employers reported no positive drug test results, and 97 percent of employers 

reported no alcohol test results ≥ 0.04 percent. The number of contractors who had at least one 

positive drug test result was 33.8 percent, compared to 21.6 percent of transit systems. The 

number of contractors who submitted forms with at least one alcohol test result > 0.04 percent 

was 3.2 percent, compared to 21.6 percent of transit systems. 

Employers reported a total of 249,733 employees performing safety-sensitive functions: 78.5 

percent of these employees are employed at transit systems and 21.5 percent are employed by 

contractors. The average transit system employs more than twice as many safety-sensitive 

employees than the average contractor, 115 to 56. Large operators employ an average of 226 

safety-sensitive employees compared to 52 for small operators and 26.4 for rural. The largest 

number of employees performing safety-sensitive functions are engaged in revenue vehicle 

operation (70 percent) followed by revenue vehicle and equipment maintenance (18.9 percent). 

Revenue vehicle control/dispatch, CDL/non-revenue vehicle employees, and armed security 

personnel combined make-up less 11.0 percent of the overall labor force (7.6 percent, 1.9 

percent, and 1.5 percent respectively). 

ES-1 2000 Annual Report 
The largest number of contract employees were involved in revenue vehicle operation at 77.2 

percent, followed by revenue vehicle and equipment maintenance at 12.9 percent. For rural 

operators, contractors comprise a relatively small percent of the total number of FTA-covered 

employees at 19.9 percent; for large operators, contractors comprise a slightly higher total at 20.8 

percent. Contractors comprise 31.9 percent of the total number of FTA-covered employees for 

small contractors. 

ELECTRONIC REPORTING 

Electronically reporting Drug and Alcohol MIS results became an option for FTA-covered 

employers in 1998. Electronic software was developed with help and validation capabilities in 

an effort to lessen the reporting burden. In 2000, 707 employers (27 percent) reported 

electronically in 2000, versus 568 (22 percent) in 1999. 

DRUG TEST RESULTS 

The 2000 drug-testing program performed by large, small, and rural FTA-covered employers 

revealed the following major findings: 

• A total of 121,668 specimens were collected for random drug testing: 1,151 of these 

specimens tested positive for one or more of the five prohibited drugs. Random drug 

testing accounted for 0.54 percent of the total specimens collected and .32 percent of the 

total positive specimens. 

• The positive random test rate was 1.05 percent industry-wide. Positive test rates were 

0.85 percent for transit systems, and 1.85 percent for contractors. 

• A total of 226,679 specimens were collected for all six types of drug testing. Of that 

figure, 3,583 specimens tested positive for one or more of the five prohibited drugs. 

Transit systems accounted for 72 percent of all drug tests conducted, with contractors 

accounting for the remaining 28 percent of the total drug tests. The overall percentage 

(transit systems and contractors combined) of positive drug tests was 1.59 percent. 

• Of the six drug test types (pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, 

return-to-duty, and follow-up), the highest percent of positive specimens was for 

reasonable suspicion testing (5.5 percent). Contractors reported positive results at a 

higher rate than did transit systems in all test types. The lowest percentage of positive 

specimens was for random testing (0.95 percent). 

• Marijuana and cocaine were detected most frequently in the specimens that tested 

positive for drugs. Of 1,151 random positive specimens, 60.08 percent tested positive for 

marijuana and 35.56 percent tested positive for cocaine. Marijuana was also detected 

most frequently in all 10 regions. Forty-five specimens tested positive for multiple drugs; 

the most common multiple-drug combination was marijuana and cocaine, with 20 

positive results. 

2000 Annual Report ES-2 
• There were 240 qualifying accidents that resulted in a positive post-accident drug test 

(126 from transit systems and 114 from contractors). There was one fatality resulting 

from these accidents. Marijuana was detected in 50 percent of all positive post-accident 

drug tests; cocaine was second at 43.3 percent. 

ALCOHOL TEST RESULTS 

Employers are required to establish and conduct an alcohol misuse prevention program in which 

employees performing safety-sensitive functions are tested for the misuse of alcohol and 

supervisors are trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol misuse. Employees are 

subject to five types of alcohol tests: random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, 

and follow-up. In addition, employers may not allow safety-sensitive employees to consume 

alcohol under four specific circumstances: (1) 4 hours before performing a safety-sensitive 

function; (2) while performing a safety-sensitive function; (3) after a fatal accident, unless the 

employee has received a post-accident test or 8 hours have elapsed, whichever occurs first; or (4) 

after a non-fatal accident unless the employee's involvement was completely discounted as a 

contributing factor to the accident, the employee has been tested, or 8 hours have elapsed. 

An employee with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater, but less than 0.04, must be 

removed from duty for 8 hours or until a retest shows an alcohol concentration of less than 0.02. 

An employee with an alcohol concentration ≥ 0.04 must be prohibited from performing any 

safety-sensitive duties, removed from his/her safety-sensitive position, and be evaluated by a 

substance abuse professional. If the employer has a second-chance policy, the employee must 

properly complete a course of treatment prescribed by the substance abuse professional, and pass 

a return-to-duty alcohol test prior to returning to a safety-sensitive position. 

The 2000 alcohol-testing program performed by large, small, and rural transit employers 

revealed the following: 

• Of the total 41,002 random alcohol-screening tests conducted, 42 confirmation test 

results that were ≥ 0.04 were documented (0.10 percent). The percentage of random 

positive results for transit systems was 0.10 percent, while the percentage of random 

positive results for contractors was 0.12 percent. 

• The FTA alcohol-testing rule includes a definition for the violation rate. The violation 

rate means the sum of the annual number of results from random alcohol tests conducted 

that have alcohol concentrations of 0.04 or greater, plus the annual number of refusals to 

submit to alcohol tests, divided by the sum of the annual number of random alcohol tests, 

plus the annual number of refusals to submit to a drug test. The violation rate for 2000 

for all employers (transit systems and contractors) was 0.15 percent. 

• The percent of total alcohol screening results that were ≥ 0.04 for all test types was 0.20 

percent industry-wide. The percent for transit systems was 0.18 percent, versus 0.28 

percent for contractors. 

ES-3 2000 Annual Report 
• Transit systems conducted 80 percent of the 69,005 total screening tests; contractors 

conducted 20 percent of the total. 

• Of the 5 required alcohol test types, the highest percent of test results that were ≥ 0.04 

was for reasonable suspicion testing at 7.77 percent. Contractors had nearly double the 

number of alcohol concentrations at ≥ 0.04 for reasonable suspicion testing than transit 

systems at 12.02 percent. 

• Of the 5 employee categories, the highest percent of test results that were 

≥ 0.04 was tied between revenue vehicle control dispatch and CDL/non-revenue vehicle 

at 0.26 percent. Armed Security Personnel had zero test results ≥ 0.04. 

• There were 6 accidents reported that resulted in a post-accident alcohol test result of 0.04 

or greater. There were no fatalities resulting from these accidents. Transit systems 

accounted for all 6 of the post-accident test results ≥ 0.04. 

• There were 51 alcohol test refusals: 25 for transit systems and 26 for contractors. 

Twenty-one refusals were for random tests and 30 were for non-random tests. 

• There were 26 reported “other” alcohol violations — 3 of the 4 additional specific 

circumstances in which employers may not allow their safety-sensitive employees to 

consume alcohol, as mentioned previously. 

TRENDS: 1996 THROUGH 2000 

The number of FTA drug and alcohol reporting forms received between 1996 and 2000 increased 

by 16.18 percent. The greatest gain has been in the number of contractor reports received: 

reports received from contractors have jumped by 35.40 percent while transit systems have 

increased by 7.06 percent. 

From 1996 to 2000, the number of reported safety-sensitive employees has increased by 12.46 

percent for transit systems, and 36.43 percent for contractors. The percent of contracted FTAcovered employees out of the total pool (i.e., including transit systems), increased from 18.44 

percent in 1996 to 25.16 percent in 2000. 

Overall, the percent of positive random drug test results and the percent of random alcohol test 

results ≥ 0.04 decreased each year for the 5-year period (see “Totals” column in Tables ES-1 and 

ES-2). 

Table ES-1. 1996 to 2000 Positive Random Drug Test Results 

Employer 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Transit 

Systems 1.42% 1.06% 0.93% 0.83% 0.77% 

Contractors 1.84% 1.92% 1.69% 1.72% 1.64% 

Totals 1.50% 1.21% 1.07% 1.00% 0.95 

2000 Annual Report ES-4 
Table ES-2. 1996 to 2000 Random Alcohol Test Results ≥ 0.04 

Employer 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Transit 

Systems 0.17% 0.15% 0.13% 0.10% 0.10% 

Contractors 0.11% 0.09% 0.14% 0.05% 0.12% 

Totals 0.16% 0.14% 0.13% 0.09% 0.10% 

As with random testing, the percent of positive drug test results decreased overall each year for 

the 5-year period from 1996 to 2000. Transit systems showed a significant decrease in total 

positive drug tests, whereas the percent of total positive drug tests for contractors showed no 

trend. See Table ES-3 below for the percentages. See Table ES-4 for the percent of total alcohol 

test results ≥ 0.04 for both transit systems and contractors. 

Table ES-3. 1996 to 2000 Percent of Positive Drug Test Results 

Employer 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Transit 

Systems 1.75% 1.41% 1.28% 1.20% 1.12% 

Contractors 2.75% 3.01% 2.87% 2.66% 2.78% 

Totals 2.00% 1.77% 1.67% 1.59% 1.58% 

Table ES-4. 1996 to 2000 Percent of Alcohol Test Results ≥ 0.04 

Employer 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Transit 

Systems 0.26% 0.23% 0.24% 0.18% 0.18% 

Contractors 0.27% 0.28% 0.56% 0.33% 0.28% 

Totals 0.26% 0.24% 0.29% 0.21% 0.20% 

See Table ES-5 and ES-6 for positive drug and alcohol tests > 0.04 for all 5 employee category 

types over the last 5 years. 

ES-5 2000 Annual Report 
Table ES-5. 1996 to 2000 Percent of Positive Drug Test Results/ 

Employer 

Employee Category 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Operation 

2.06% 1.87% 1.79% 1.70% 1.72% 

Revenue Veh. 

And Equip. 

Maint. 

1.95% 1.69% 1.45% 1.46% 1.32% 

Revenue Veh. 

Control/Disp. 

1.20% 0.91% 0.85% 0.97% 0.80% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

Vehicle 

2.55% 2.05% 2.06% 1.02% 1.13% 

Armed 

Security 

Personnel 

0.73% 0.28% 0.60% 0.53% 0.41% 

Totals 2.00% 1.77% 1.67% 1.59% 1.58% 

Table ES-6. 1996 to 2000 Alcohol Test Results ≥ 0.04/ 

Employer 

Employee Category 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Operation 

0.23% 0.20% 0.26% 0.17% 0.21% 

Revenue Veh. 

And Equip. 

Maint. 

0.33% 0.34% 0.39% 0.33% 0.19% 

Revenue Veh. 

Control/Disp. 

0.20% 0.30% 0.47% 0.30% 0.26% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

Vehicle 

0.61% 0.48% 0.42% 0.26% 0.26% 

Armed 

Security 

Personnel 

0.06% 0.06% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 

Totals 0.26% 0.24% 0.29% 0.21% 0.20% 

2000 Annual Report ES-6
1. INTRODUCTION 

This annual report presents the results of mandatory drug and alcohol testing conducted by transit 

systems that receive funds from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Under the Omnibus 

Transportation Employee Testing Act passed by Congress in 1991, the FTA was required to 

establish regulations for drug and alcohol testing of transit employees who perform safetysensitive functions. The purpose of requiring transit agencies to implement drug and alcohol 

programs is to achieve a drug- and alcohol-free work force in the interest of the health and safety 

of transit employees and the traveling public. This report covers the testing results from the 

calendar year 2000, as well as trend analysis dating back to the program’s inception. 

The FTA regulations require that recipients of specific FTA funds implement an anti-drug 

program to deter and detect the use of prohibited drugs by transit employees, and to establish a 

program to prevent prohibited alcohol use. Covered under these regulations are employees of 

transit systems who receive grant funds, and employees of contractors to those transit systems. 

Large operators (i.e., those providing transit services in urbanized areas of 200,000 or more in 

population) were required to begin their drug and alcohol testing programs for calendar year 

1995. Small operators (i.e., those providing transit services in areas of less than 200,000) were 

required to begin their drug and alcohol testing programs for calendar year 1996. 

1.1 Who Must Report 

Transit systems that receive funding from 

the FTA sources listed in Figure 

1-1 are required to have drug and alcohol 

testing programs. Under FTA regulations, 

all recipients must implement the required 

drug and alcohol testing programs and 

must report the results of their programs 

to the FTA annually. The results must be 

submitted to the FTA on specific 

Management Information System (MIS) 

forms or data diskettes. For the 2000 

Section 5307 (Section 9). Formula Program 

Section 5309 (Section 3). Capital Program 

Section 5310 (Section 16). Elderly and Disabled 

Program 

Section 5311 (Section 18). Non-urbanized Area 

Program 

Figure 1-1. FTA Federal Funding Sources 

reporting year, a sample of transit agencies reported over the Internet, testing this next reporting 

option, which will be available for 2001 reporting. Recipients of 5310 funds only are not 

required to comply with FTA drug and alcohol testing requirements, unless they provide contract 

services to recipients receiving Section 5307, 5309, and 5311 funds. In those instances, they 

must report as contractors. 

Section 5307 refers to block grants for capital projects and to finance the planning, improvement, 

and operating costs of equipment, facilities, and associated capital maintenance items for use in 

mass transportation. Section 5309 refers to discretionary grants and loans for capital projects, 

new and existing fixed guideway systems, an efficient mass transportation system coordinated 

with other transportation systems, the introduction of new technologies, the enhancement of 

urban economic development or the incorporation of private investment, and mass transportation 

1-1 2000 Annual Report 
projects to meet the needs of the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Section 5310 refers to 

grants and loans for the special needs of the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Section 

5311 refers to financial assistance for non-urbanized areas. 

Some recipients provide mass transit services directly. Others rely on additional public or private 

entities to provide services in whole or in part. In these cases, the direct recipient of FTA funds 

is legally responsible for assuring that any entity operating on its behalf is in compliance with 

FTA testing rules. 

Transit systems that receive funding directly from the FTA must certify annually that they are in 

compliance with the drug and alcohol testing regulations. States must certify regulatory 

compliance on behalf of the transit systems that receive FTA funding through a state agency. 

Failure of a recipient to establish and implement a drug and alcohol testing program, either in its 

own operations or in those of an entity operating on its behalf, may result in the suspension of 

federal transit funding to the recipient. Because a recipient may not always provide transit 

services directly, the FTA uses the term “operator” or “employer” to describe those who actually 

provide transit services and who therefore, must implement the FTA requirements. 

1.2 Employees Who Must be Tested 

Under the FTA’s drug and alcohol testing regulations, employees and supervisors who perform 

any of the following functions are considered safety-sensitive employees: 

1. Operate a revenue service vehicle, including when not in revenue service (includes employees 

who operate a passenger vehicle, whether or not a fare is collected); 

2. Maintain revenue service vehicles or equipment used in revenue service (except 5311 

recipients’ contractors); 

3. Dispatch or control revenue service vehicles; 

4. Operate a non-revenue service vehicle (e.g., ancillary vehicle), which requires a Commercial 

Drivers License (CDL), and is not already covered by another employee category; and/or 

5. Provide security and carry a firearm. 

Maintenance contractors (except for 5311 recipients’ contractors) who perform routine, ongoing 

repair or maintenance work for FTA recipients and subrecipients must comply with the 

regulations if their employees perform any of the identified safety-sensitive functions. In 

addition, supervisors who perform, or could be called upon to perform, any of the safetysensitive functions are also included. 

2000 Annual Report 1-2 
1.3 Types of Tests 

Employees who perform safety-sensitive functions are subject to six different types of tests: 

1) Pre-employment testing for drugs is performed on each prospective employee, including 

individuals who are being transferred into safety-sensitive positions, or who are returning 

following an absence that resulted in being removed from the random pool. Employees may not 

be hired unless they have a verified negative drug test result. (This is no longer applicable for 

alcohol — the FTA suspended required pre-employment testing for alcohol on May 10, 1995, as 

a result of a U.S. Court of Appeals decision.) 

2) Random testing must be unannounced and unpredictable. The tests must be based on a 

scientifically valid random-number selection method. All safety-sensitive employees must have 

an equal chance of being selected for testing each time a selection is made. They must also be 

included in the selection pool, and must remain in the pool after being tested. For 2000, the 

number of random tests conducted must equal at least 50 percent (for drugs) and 10 percent (for 

alcohol) of the average number of safety-sensitive employees in the random pool at the time of 

the random draws. Transit systems have the option of joining a consortium; an entity that 

arranges testing services and that acts on behalf of the employers. If a transit system joins a 

consortium for random testing, the testing rate applies to the total number of safety-sensitive 

employees within the random testing pool of the consortium. As a result, some individual transit 

operators may not appear to meet the random testing requirement. 

3) Post-accident testing is required for accidents where there is loss of human life. For non-fatal 

accidents that meet FTA-defined conditions, testing is required unless the covered employee’s 

performance can be completely discounted as a causative or contributing factor. When an 

accident occurs, safety-sensitive employees operating the vehicle must be tested, as well as any 

other safety-sensitive personnel not in the vehicle whose performance could have contributed to 

the accident. Tests must be administered as soon as possible, but no later than 8 hours after the 

accident for alcohol, and 32 hours post-accident for drugs. 

4) Reasonable suspicion testing is conducted when an employer suspects that an employee has 

used a prohibited drug or has misused alcohol as defined in the regulations. Reasonable 

suspicion determinations are made by trained supervisors and must be based on specific, 

contemporaneous, articulated observations concerning the appearance, behavior, speech, or body 

odor of the safety-sensitive employee. 

5) Return-to-duty testing occurs when an employer’s policy statement permits an employee 

who violated the regulations (i.e., tested positive for drugs, had an alcohol result of ≥ 0.04, 

refused to submit to a test) to return to duty to perform a safety-sensitive function after 

completion of rehabilitation. The employee must, however, be evaluated by a Substance Abuse 

Professional (SAP) and pass a return-to-duty test prior to performing a safety-sensitive function. 

6) Follow-up testing occurs after an employee has returned to duty following a positive drug or 

alcohol test. The employee is subject to unannounced follow-up testing for at least 12, but no 

1-3 2000 Annual Report 
more than 60 months as recommended by the SAP. Follow-up testing is separate from, and in 

addition to, random testing. 

1.4 Drug Testing Program Overview 

Transit systems must establish an anti-drug program that focuses on testing safety-sensitive 

employees and training for supervisors. FTA regulations specify that safety-sensitive employees 

may not use any of the 5 following prohibited substances (or their metabolites): marijuana; 

cocaine; opiates (e.g., heroin, morphine, codeine); amphetamines (e.g., racemic, amphetamine, 

extroamphetamine, and methamphetamine); or phencyclidine (PCP). Testing for any other drugs 

must be performed separately from the FTA test. 

If an FTA-covered employee has a verified positive drug test result, the employee must be 

removed from their safety-sensitive position, be informed of the available educational and 

treatment programs, and be referred to a SAP. To return to a safety-sensitive position, the 

employee must complete a course of treatment prescribed by the SAP and take a return-to-duty 

drug test with a verified negative result. 

1.5 Alcohol Testing Program Overview 

Transit systems are required to establish and conduct an alcohol misuse prevention program in 

which employees performing safety-sensitive functions are tested for alcohol misuse. In 

addition, supervisors must receive specific training to recognize the signs and symptoms of 

possible alcohol misuse. There are four specific circumstances under which an employee is 

prohibited from consuming alcohol: 

1. Four hours before performing a safety-sensitive function; 

2. While performing a safety-sensitive function; 

3. After a fatal accident, unless a post-accident test has been administered, or 8 hours have 

elapsed (whichever occurs first); and/or 

4. After a non-fatal accident, unless the employee’s involvement can be completely discounted 

as a contributing factor to the accident, the employee has been tested, or 8 hours has elapsed. 

An employee with an alcohol concentration of 0.02 or greater but less than 0.04 for a 

confirmation test must be removed from duty for at least 8 hours or until a re-test conducted by 

the employer shows an alcohol concentration of less than 0.02. If an employer elects to remove 

the employee from duty for 8 hours, the employer is not required to administer an alcohol test 

before the employee resumes performing a safety-sensitive function, unless the employee 

exhibits signs of alcohol misuse upon returning to work. 

2000 Annual Report 1-4 
A safety-sensitive employee with an alcohol concentration of ≥ 0.04 must be prohibited from 

performing any safety-sensitive functions, removed from his or her safety-sensitive position, and 

be referred to a SAP. 

1.6 Drug and Alcohol MIS Data Quality and Validation 

The Drug and Alcohol MIS data submitted to the FTA by transit operators and their contractors 

are subjected to extensive analysis and validation, both manual and automated. The process 

entails detailed examination of each MIS report, identification of errors or questionable entries, 

and the resolution of these problems in conjunction with the reporting agencies. 

Despite extensive efforts, it should be noted that data validation primarily encompasses a review 

of the consistency and reasonableness of the reported data. Errors of significant magnitude have 

been detected and corrected, but some statistically minor errors may remain. 

1.7 Availability of Drug and Alcohol MIS Documentation 

Copies of reporting guidance and MIS reporting forms and diskettes are available from the Drug 

and Alcohol MIS Project Office at (617) 494-6336. The FTA Safety and Security Clearinghouse 

can be reached at (617) 494-2108 for additional copies of this report, as well as previously 

published annual reports. Other technical assistance materials including the Implementation 

Guidelines for Drug and Alcohol Regulations in Mass Transit, may be acquired from the FTA’s 

Office of Safety & Security at (202) 366-2896. Further information can also be found on the 

Office of Safety and Security’s Web site at the following address: http://transitsafety.volpe.dot.gov/damis. 

1.8 Organization of this Report 

This report contains five chapters and two appendices. Chapter 2 provides general information 

on the reporting process, including how many employers reported testing results to the FTA. 

Chapters 3 and 4 present drug and alcohol testing results, respectively. Chapter 5 presents a 

trend analysis of testing results from 1996 through 2000. A glossary of terms used throughout 

this report comprises Appendix A, and Appendix B provides a list of FTA regions. 

Last year, an additional size category (rural) was introduced and another size category (small) 

was, therefore, redefined. “Large” systems are located in urbanized areas of 200,000 or more in 

population. “Small” systems are located in urbanized areas of less than 200,000, but greater than 

or equal to 50,000. “Rural” systems are located in areas of less than 50,000 in population. 

1-5 2000 Annual Report 

2. GENERAL INFORMATION ON DRUG AND ALCOHOL FORMS 

This chapter graphically presents the data submitted on the 2000 FTA Drug and Alcohol MIS 

forms. Among the data presented are the number of paper MIS Data Collection forms versus 

data diskettes* received, and the number of forms received by employer size and region. Also 

shown are the number of FTA-covered employees by employee category, break outs for transit 

systems and contractors, and the percent of FTA-covered employees by employer size. 

SUMMARY FINDINGS FOR 2000 REPORTING: 

Ο A total of 2,657 MIS Data Collection forms were collected from transit 

systems and contractors combined, of which 1,950 were in paper form while 

707 were reported using the reporting software and submitted on data disk. 

Ο A total of 869 forms were received from large systems, 372 from small systems, and 

1,416 from rural systems (transit systems and contractors combined). 

Ο Region 4 had the largest number of employers reporting Drug and Alcohol testing 

results. 

Ο Region 2 had the highest number of FTA-covered employees, including both transit 

systems and contractors, while Region 8 had the lowest number. 

*Beginning in 1998, reporters had the option to report on either paper forms or by using the electronic reporting system and submitting results 

on a data disk. 

2-1 2000 Annual Report 
2.1 Distribution of Transit Systems and Contractors 

0 

500 

1000 

1500 

2000 

2500 

3000 

Transit Systems 1,189 511 1,700 

Contractors 761 196 957 

Totals 1,950 707 2,657 

MIS Data 

Collection 

MIS Data Disks Total 

Figure 2-1. Number of Drug and Alcohol Forms Received 

0 

200 

400 

600 

800 

1000 

1200 

1400 

1600 

Transit Systems 313 237 1,150 

Contractors 556 135 266 

Large Small Rural 

Figure 2-2. Drug and Alcohol Forms Received by Employer Size 

2000 Annual Report 2-2 
 2.2 Drug and Alcohol Forms Received by Region 

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

Transit Systems 126 64 102 349 333 169 300 95 98 64 

Contractors 70 95 71 178 183 62 47 34 153 64 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Figure 2-3. Number of FTA Drug and Alcohol Forms Received by Region 

2.3 FTA-Covered Employees 

Following are a variety of break outs for FTA-covered employees: by employee category, by 

transit system versus contractor, percent of employees for large, small, and rural employers, and 

finally by region. 

2-3 2000 Annual Report 
FTA-Covered Employees By Employee Category 

0 25000 50000 75000 100000 125000 150000 175000 

Rev. Vehicle Op. 

Vehicle and Equip. Maint. 

Rev. Vehicle Cntrl/Dsptch 

CDL/Non-Revenue 

Armed Security Personnel 

Transit Systems 133,409 40,436 14,761 4,205 3,166 

Contractors 41,487 6,920 4,111 578 660 

Totals 174,896 47,356 18,872 4,783 3,826 

Rev. Vehicle 

Op. 

Vehicle and 

Equip. Maint. 

Rev. Vehicle 

Cntrl/Dsptch 

CDL/NonRevenue Armed 

Security 

Figure 2-4. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Employee Category 

Armed Security 

Personnel 

2% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

2% 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Operation 

67% 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Control/Disp. 

8% 

Vehicle and 

Equip. 

Maintenance 

21% 

Figure 2-5. Percent of FTA-Covered Employees in Each Employee Category-Transit 

System 

2000 Annual Report 2-4 
Armed Security 

Personnel 

1% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

1% 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Operation 

77% 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Control/Disp. 

8% 

Vehicle and 

Equip. 

Maintenance 

13% 

Figure 2-6. Percent of FTA-Covered Employees in Each Employee Category-Contractors 

0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000 

Re v. Vehicle Op. 

Vehicle and Equip. Maint. 

Rev. Vehicle Cntrl/Dsptch 

CDL/Non-Revenue 

Arm ed Security Personnel 

Large 132,884 42,536 13,367 3,876 3,749 

Small 14,153 2,658 1,739 392 77 

Rural 27,859 2,162 3,766 515 0 

Rev. Vehicle 

Op. 

Vehicle and 

Equip. Maint. 

Rev. Vehicle 

Cntrl/Dsptch 

CDL/NonRevenue Armed 

Security 

Figure 2-7. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Employee Category–Large, Small, and 

Rural Systems 

2-5 2000 Annual Report 
Armed Security 

Personnel 

2% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

2% 

Revenue Vehicle 

Operation 

67% 

Revenue Vehicle 

Control/Disp. 

7% 

Vehicle and 

Equip. 

Maintenance 

22% 

Figure 2-8. Percent of All FTA-Covered Employees for Large Operators 

Armed Security 

Personnel 

0% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

2% 

Revenue Vehicle 

Operation 

75% 

Revenue Veh. 

Control/Disp. 

9% Veh. and Equip. 

Maintenance 

14% 

Figure 2-9. Percent of All FTA-Covered Employees for Small Operators 

2000 Annual Report 2-6 
Armed Security 

Personnel 

0% 

CDL/NonRevenue 

1% 

Revenue Vehicle 

Operation 

81% 

Revenue Veh. 

Control/Disp. 

12% Veh. and Equip. 

Maintenance 

6% 

Figure 2-10. Percent of All FTA-Covered Employees Reporting for Rural Operators 

0 40000 80000 120000 160000 200000 

Large 

Small 

Rural 

Transit Systems 155,565 12,940 27,472 

Contractors 40,847 6,079 6,830 

Totals 196,412 19,019 34,302 

Large Small Rural 

Figure 2-11. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Employer Size 

2-7 2000 Annual Report 
0 

5,000 

10,000 

15,000 

20,000 

25,000 

30,000 

35,000 

40,000 

45,000 

50,000 

Transit Systems 10,692 39,714 24,465 22,356 31,588 16,142 10,001 6,167 25,976 8,876 

Contractors 3,411 9,349 3,945 6,616 7,175 2,383 1,216 1,339 14,636 3,686 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Figure 2-12. Number of FTA-Covered Employees by Region 

0 

5,000 

10,000 

15,000 

20,000 

25,000 

30,000 

35,000 

40,000 

45,000 

50,000 

Rural 1,057 2,909 3,206 7,324 5,222 3,145 6,159 1,904 2,297 1,079 

Small 2,326 508 1,815 3,041 4,788 1,680 852 774 2,122 1,113 

Large 10,720 45,646 23,389 18,607 28,753 13,700 4,206 4,828 36,193 10,370 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Figure 2-13. FTA-Covered Employees by Region/Size 

2000 Annual Report 2-8 
2.4 Federal Funds 

As mentioned in Chapter 1, transit systems are required to report the sources of FTA funds they 

receive (that is, Sections 5309, 5307, 5310, and 5311). Some of the transit systems receive 

funding under multiple sections. 

The following charts depict the percentage of FTA funding recipients who receive specific 

funding, and transit systems receiving FTA funds by funding source, as well as by FTA region. 

27.8% 

30.8% 

21.3% 

72.1% 

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 

5309 

5307 

5310 

5311 

Figure 2-14. Percentage of FTA Funding Recipients Who Receive Specific Funding 

0 

100 

200 

300 

400 

500 

600 

5311 52 49 68 272 230 120 269 80 58 49 

5310 35 13 21 79 35 49 73 33 12 18 

5307 88 26 42 99 114 52 29 14 48 20 

5309 38 17 34 83 77 45 111 25 28 23 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Figure 2-15. Number of Transit Systems that Received Federal Funds by Source of 

Funding and by FTA Region 

2-9 2000 Annual Report 

3. DRUG TEST RESULTS 

Chapter 3 provides background information for drug testing results and summarizes drug test results for 

FTA-funded transit systems and contractors throughout the Administration’s regions for 2000. The 

chapter explains and quantifies the results of testing safety-sensitive employees for prohibited drugs such 

as marijuana, cocaine, PCP, opiates, and amphetamines. 

Six types of tests are administered: pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, 

return-to-duty, and follow-up. Of the 226,679 urine specimen collected, 3,583 or 1.59 percent 

generated verified positive results. To better understand the employers’ testing results, the 

following determinants are charted and graphed for further analysis: 

• transit systems versus contractors 

• large systems versus small or rural systems 

• regional comparisons 

• employee categories 

• drug type comparisons 

• test type comparisons 

The results of random drug testing provide the best indication of the overall level of drug usage 

among FTA-covered transit employees. 

SUMMARY OF DRUG TEST RESULTS: 

Ο 1.59% of all specimens collected resulted in a verified positive result. 

Ο The positive rate for random drug tests was 1.04%. 

Ο The percent of random drug test positives was 0.95%. 

Ο Regions 5, 8, and 9 have the highest percentage of verified positive 

random drug tests at 1.23%, 1.63%, and 1.33%, respectively. 

Ο Regions 6, 8, and 9 have the highest percentage of verified positive drug 

tests at 2.00%, 2.43%, and 2.20%, respectively. 

Ο Of the total positive results for drug type, THC was present in 

58.62% of the specimens collected. 

3-1 2000 Annual Report 
3.1 Positive Drug Rates for 2000 

Table 3-1 shows the positive rate results of transit systems and contractors. Table 3-2 illustrates 

the random drug test results of transit systems and contractors. The positive rate is 1.05%; 0.95% 

of all random specimens collected resulted in a verified positive result. Positive rate means the 

sum of the annual number of positive results for random drug tests conducted, plus the annual 

number of refusals to submit to a random drug test, divided by the sum of the annual number of 

random drug tests conducted, plus the annual number of refusals to submit to a random drug test. 

Random Drug Positives + Random Refusals ____________________________________________________ 

Random Drug Tests + Random Refusals 

Table 3-3 demonstrates a more in-depth break out of the operator size of the transit systems and 

contractors based upon the test results. The population that surrounds the transit organization 

determines the size of operation for each agency. Large, small, and rural organizations are 

categorized by a population of 200,000 or more, 200,000-50,000, and less than 50,000, 

respectively. 

Table 3-1. 2000 Positive Rate 

Employer 

Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Number 

Positive 

Number of 

Random 

Refusals 

Positive Rate 

Transit 

Systems 97,185 73 0.85% 

Contractors 24,483 53 1.85% 

Totals 121,668 1,151 126 1.05% 

749 

402 

Table 3-2. 2000 Random Drug Test Results 

Employer 

Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Number 

Positive 

Percent 

Positive 

Transit 

Systems 97,185 749 .77% 

Contractors 24,483 402 1.64% 

Totals 121,668 1,151 .95% 

2000 Annual Report 3-2 
Table 3-3. Random Drug Test Results by Operator Size 

Operator 

Size 

Number of 

Specimens 

Number 

Positive 

Percent 

Positive 

Large 96,847 920 .95% 

Small 8,963 115 1.28% 

Rural 15,858 116 .73% 

Totals 121,668 1,151 .95% 

3.2 Drug Test Results by FTA Region 

Figures 3-1 and 3-2 demonstrate the positive results for random and overall tests, respectively. As 

shown in Figure 3-1, of the ten FTA regions, Regions 8 and 9 had the highest percent of random 

specimens testing positive for one or more drugs. Figure 3-2 shows the percentage of drug 

positives in each category by FTA region. Regions 8 and 9 had the highest percent of drug 

positives overall. 

Figure 3-1. Random Drug Test Results by FTA Region 

3-3 2000 Annual Report 
Figure 3-2. Percent of Positives by FTA Region 

3.3 Results of Drug Tests Presented by Test Types 

Table 3-4 illustrates the drug tests results by comparing transit systems and contractors. The table 

further categorizes the results by test type and employee category. 

Table 3-5 also exhibits the results of the drug tests; however, the data compares employer size, and 

sorts the results by test type and employee category. 

2000 Annual Report 3-4 
Table 3-4. Drug Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category 

3-5 2000 Annual Report 

Transit Systems Contractors T

Test Type Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number 

of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Nu

P

R

TOTALS BY TEST TYPE, ALL EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES Pre-Employment 44,437 777 1.75% 34,062 1,167 3.43% 78,499 Random 97,185 749 0.77% 24,483 402 1.64% 121,668 Post-Accident 11,772 126 1.07% 3,240 114 3.52% 15,012 Reasonable Suspicion 822 29 3.53% 252 30 11.90% 1,074 Return-to-Duty 910 28 3.08% 142 7 4.93% 1,052 Follow-Up 8,666 127 1.47% 708 27 3.81% 9,374 TOTALS 163,792 1,836 1.12% 62,887 1,747 2.78% 226,679 

Transit Systems Contractors T

Employee Category 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number 

of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Nu

P

R

PRE-EMPLOYMENT Revenue Vehicle Operation 35,781 647 1.81% 30,737 1,081 3.52% 66,518 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 6,210 102 1.64% 1,784 58 3.25% 7,994 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 1,579 14 0.89% 946 24 2.54% 2,525 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 382 9 2.36% 70 0 0.0% 452 Armed Security Personnel 485 5 1.03% 525 4 0.76% 1,010 RANDOM Revenue Vehicle Operation 65,210 498 0.76% 18,877 323 1.71% 84,087 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 21,010 200 0.95% 3,177 46 1.45% 24,187 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 7,205 26 0.36% 1,793 28 1.56% 8,998 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 2,332 24 1.03% 266 4 1.50% 2,598 Armed Security Personnel 1,428 1 0.07% 370 1 0.27% 1,798 
Table 3-4. Drug Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category (continued) 

2000 Annual Report 3-6 Transit Systems Contractors 

Test Type Number of Specimens Collected Number of Positive Results Percent Positive Number of Specimens Collected Number of Positive Results Percent Positive Number of Specimens Collected N

POST-ACCIDENT Revenue Vehicle Operation 10,791 114 1.06% 3,101 112 3.61% 13,892 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 672 11 1.64% 111 2 1.80% 783 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 149 0 0.00% 20 0 0.00% 169 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 93 1 1.08% 7 0 0.00% 100 Armed Security Personnel 67 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 68 REASONABLE SUSPICION Revenue Vehicle Operation 667 23 3.45% 225 23 10.22% 892 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 115 5 4.35% 20 6 30.00% 135 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 24 0 0.00% 6 1 16.67% 30 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 14 1 7.14% 0 0 0.00% 14 Armed Security Personnel 2 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 3 RETURN-TO-DUTY Revenue Vehicle Operation 654 22 3.36% 110 5 4.55% 764 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 202 6 2.97% 21 1 4.76% 223 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 36 0 0.00% 10 1 10.00% 46 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 17 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 18 Armed Security Personnel 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 1 FOLLOW-UP Revenue Vehicle Operation 5,033 84 1.67% 479 21 4.38% 5,512 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 2,730 38 1.39% 140 4 2.86% 2,870 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 320 2 0.63% 83 1 1.20% 403 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 540 2 0.37% 6 1 16.67% 546 Armed Security Personnel 43 1 2.33% 0 0 0.00% 43 
Table 3-5. Drug Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Size 

Large Small R

Test Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Nu

P

R

TOTALS BY TEST TYPE, ALL EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES Pre-Employment 58,905 1,606 2.73% 6,436 143 2.22% 13,158 Random 96,847 920 0.95% 8,963 115 1.28% 15,858 Post-Accident 12,898 209 1.62% 1158 17 1.47% 956 Reasonable Suspicion 980 48 4.90% 35 6 17.14% 59 Return-to-Duty 889 24 2.70% 77 7 9.09% 86 Follow-Up 9,022 133 1.47% 262 15 5.73% 90 TOTALS 179,541 2,940 1.64% 16,931 303 1.79% 30,207 

Large Small R

Employee Category 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number 

of Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Nu

P

R

PRE-EMPLOYMENT Revenue Vehicle Operation 49,181 1,436 2.92% 5,563 116 2.09% 11,774 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 6,894 132 1.91% 630 21 3.33% 470 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 1,541 22 1.43% 206 6 2.91% 778 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 290 7 2.41% 26 0 0.00% 136 Armed Security Personnel 999 9 0.90% 11 0 0.00% 0 RANDOM Revenue Vehicle Operation 64,637 648 1.00% 6,633 84 1.27% 12,817 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 21,933 210 0.96% 1,262 24 1.90% 992 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 6,408 41 0.64% 844 6 0.71% 1,746 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 2,101 19 0.90% 194 1 0.52% 303 Armed Security Personnel 1,768 2 0.11% 30 0 0.00% 0 

2000 Annual Report 
2000 Annual Report 3-8 

Table 3-5. Drug Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Size (continued

Large Small 

Test Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

N

POST-ACCIDENT Revenue Vehicle Operation 11,930 198 1.66% 1,060 14 1.32% 902 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 668 10 1.50% 85 3 3.53% 30 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 144 0 0.00% 11 0 0.00% 14 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 88 1 1.14% 2 0 0.00% 10 Armed Security Personnel 68 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 REASONABLE SUSPICION Revenue Vehicle Operation 815 39 4.79% 27 3 11.11% 50 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 121 8 6.61% 7 3 42.86% 7 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 30 1 3.33% 0 0 0.00% 0 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 11 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 2 Armed Security Personnel 3 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 RETURN-TO-DUTY Revenue Vehicle Operation 638 21 3.29% 61 3 4.92% 65 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 196 2 1.02% 13 4 30.77% 14 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 37 1 2.70% 3 0 0.00% 6 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 17 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 1 Armed Security Personnel 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 FOLLOW-UP Revenue Vehicle Operation 5,254 91 1.73% 198 11 5.56% 60 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 2,794 36 1.29% 60 4 6.67% 16 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 386 2 0.52% 3 0 0.00% 14 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 545 3 0.55% 1 0 0.00% 0 Armed Security Personnel 43 1 2.33% 0 0 0.00% 0 
3.4 Post-Accident Testing 

In cases of certain mass transit accidents, the FTA mandates post-accident testing. Testing is 

required only when there is a loss of life and when non-fatal accidents occur and employees’ 

performance is a contributing factor. 

In order for an incident to be labeled as an accident, the FTA requires four conditions to be met. 

One, an individual suffers a bodily injury and immediately receives medical attention away from 

the scene of the accident. Two, the mass transit vehicle or other vehicles involved incur disabling 

damage as the result of the occurrence and are transported away from the scene by a tow truck or 

other vehicle. Three, the mass transit vehicle involved is a rail car, trolley car, trolley bus, or 

vessel, and is removed from revenue service due to the incident. Lastly, the accident renders a 

loss of life. 

Table 3-6 reveals the relationship between the drug positive rates and the number of fatal and 

non-fatal accidents that have occurred. The results of transit systems and contractors are 

compared in this table. 

Table 3-7 also notes the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents with positive drug results. In 

this table, however, the operators’ sizes are compared. 

Table 3-8, again, illustrates the amount of accidents that render positive test results. The table 

further breaks out the results by each FTA region. 

Table 3-9, similar to Table 3-5, demonstrates the number of accidents with positive drug test 

results while comparing transit systems with contractors. The table also provides a comparison 

of results between employee categories. 

Table 3-6. Accidents Which Resulted in a Post-Accident 

Positive 

Employer 

Number of 

Non-Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatal 

Accidents 

Number 

of 

Fatalities 

Transit 

Systems 

125 1 

Contractors 114 0 

Totals 239 1 1 

1 

0 

3-9 2000 Annual Report 
Table 3-7. Accidents Which Resulted in a Post-Accident 

Positive by Operator Size 

Operator 

Size 

Number of 

Non-Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatalities 

Large 209 0 

Small 16 1 

Rural 14 0 

Totals 239 1 1 

0 

1 

0 

Table 3-8. Accidents Which Resulted in a PostAccident Positive by Region 

Region 

Number of 

Non-Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatal 

Accidents 

Number 

of 

Fatalities 

1 6 0 

2 29 1 

3 22 0 

4 20 0 

5 41 0 

6 22 0 

7 10 0 

8 10 0 

9 60 0 

10 19 0 

Totals 239 1 1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

Table 3-9. Post-Accident Drug Test Positives by Employee Category 

Employer 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Operations 

Vehicle and 

Equip. 

Maint. 

Rev. Vehicle 

Cntl/Dsptch 

CDL/Non 

Revenue 

Armed 

Security 

Personnel 

Transit 

Systems 

114 0 1 0 

Contractors 112 0 0 0 

Totals 226 13 0 1 0 

11 

2 

2000 Annual Report 3-10 
3.5 Distribution of Positive Drug Test Results by Type of Drug 

Section 3.5 presents the distribution of positive drug test results for employees who tested 

positive for one or more of the five prohibited drugs. To be recorded as a positive result, an 

employee may have tested positive for one drug or a combination of drugs (e.g., marijuana and 

cocaine). In order to appreciate the seriousness of testing positive for one or more prohibited 

drugs, this section also describes the effects of each drug and how it inhibits the activities of 

safety-sensitive employees. 

Marijuana is derived from the hemp plant and comes in a variety of colors such as green, brown, 

and a gray mixture of leaves. THC or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is the primary active 

chemical in the drug. The drug has adopted the acronym THC for testing purposes. 

THC is absorbed quickly into fatty tissues and stored for a long time. The potency and strength 

of the chemical causes people to use the drug for the mildly tranquilizing, mood and perceptionaltering effects it produces. 

Cocaine is an addictive substance that comes from coca leaves, or is made synthetically. This 

drug acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system. Cocaine appears as a white powder 

substance that is inhaled, injected, freebased (smoked), or applied directly to the nasal membrane 

or gums. Cocaine gives the user a feeling of exhilaration. The chemicals contained in cocaine 

trick the brain into feeling it has experienced pleasure, when in fact it has not. 

Opiates are derived from a sap taken from a seedpod of the plant "papaver somniferum," or 

poppy plant. Another name used for opiates is narcotic analgesics. General effects of narcotic 

analgesics include: sedation, slowed reflexes, raspy speech, sluggish movements, slowed 

breathing, cold skin, and possible vomiting. Its synthetic form known as "designer drug” is even 

more deadly and addictive. 

Phencyclidine or PCP was originally developed as an anesthetic, but adverse side effects 

prevented its use except as a tranquilizer for large animals. In humans, the drug causes people to 

experience a feeling of disassociation, where the mind feels separated from the body. This can be 

very upsetting to some people. Some people panic when their own bodily perceptions become 

distorted. PCP acts as both a depressant and a hallucinogen, and sometimes as a stimulant. 

Amphetamines are potent stimulants that may be sniffed, swallowed, snorted, or injected. They 

induce exhilarating feelings of power, strength, energy, self-assertion, focus, and enhanced 

motivation. The need to sleep or eat is diminished. The drug induces a sense of aroused euphoria, 

which may last several hours. Unlike cocaine, the body does not readily break down 

amphetamines. Thus, feelings are intensified and ephemeral. Subsequently, there is an intense 

feeling of mental depression and fatigue. 

3-11 2000 Annual Report 
Figures 3-3 to 3-10, and Table 3-10 provide details on the distribution of test results by type of 

drug. 

- 300 600 900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,100 2,400 

THC 

Cocaine 

PCP 

Opiates 

Amphetamines 

Percent Positives 58.62% 33.24% 0.46% 2.42% 5.25% 

Positives 2,153 1,221 17 89 193 

THC Cocaine PCP Opiates Amphetamines 

Figure 3-3. Percentage of Drug Types Detected for All Positive Specimens 

- 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 

THC 

Cocaine 

PCP 

Opiates 

Amphetamines 

Transit Systems 1,136 624 6 41 79 

Contractors 1,017 597 11 48 114 

THC Cocaine PCP Opiates Amphetamines 

Figure 3-4. Number of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug for Each Employer Type 

2000 Annual Report 3-12 
0.0% 

10.0% 

20.0% 

30.0% 

40.0% 

50.0% 

60.0% 

70.0% 

Transit Systems 60.2% 33.1% 0.3% 2.2% 4.2% 

Contractors 56.9% 33.4% 0.6% 2.7% 6.4% 

THC Cocaine PCP Opiates Amphetamines 

Figure 3-5. Percent of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug for Each Employer Type 

0.0% 

10.0% 

20.0% 

30.0% 

40.0% 

50.0% 

60.0% 

70.0% 

80.0% 

Large 56.3% 35.7% 5.0% 2.3% 5.2% 

Small 70.7% 22.5% 0.3% 2.6% 3.9% 

Rural 67.6% 21.7% 0.3% 3.7% 6.8% 

THC Cocaine PCP Opiates Amphetamines 

Figure 3-6. Percent of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug and Operator Size 

3-13 2000 Annual Report 
0 

50 

100 

150 

200 

250 

300 

350 

400 

450 

500 

THC 67 223 203 269 389 208 79 119 438 158 

Cocaine 27 200 154 156 194 117 36 58 232 47 

PCP 0 0 

Opiates 3 5 16 5 13 6 2 4 0 5 

Amphetamines 1 20 7 132 12 

1 7 10 

7 1 0 2 2 0 5 0 

1 2

2 3 5 3 8 

2 3 4 5 6 8 9 

Figure 3-7. Number and Type of Drug by FTA Region 

0.0% 

20.0% 

40.0% 

60.0% 

80.0% 

100.0% 

120.0% 

THC 68.4% 49.9% 53.8% 61.8% 64.7% 58.9% 63.7% 63.0% 53.0% 71.2% 

Cocaine 27.6% 44.7% 40.8% 35.9% 32.3% 33.1% 29.0% 30.7% 28.1% 21.2% 

PCP 0.0% 1.6% 0.3% 0.0% 0.3% 0.6% 0.0% 0.0% 0.6% 0.0% 

Opiates 3.1% 3.4% 4.2% 1.1% 2.2% 1.7% 1.6% 2.1% 2.4% 2.3% 

Amphetamines 1.0% 0.5% 0.8% 1.1% 0.8% 5.7% 5.6% 4.2% 16.0% 5.4% 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

Figure 3-8. Percent of Positive Specimens by FTA Region 

and Type of Drug 

2000 Annual Report 3-14 
0 

100 

200 

300 

400 

500 

600 

700 

800 

900 

1000 

1100 

1200 

1300 

1400 

1500 

1600 

1700 

1800 

RVO 1765 1022 13 73 157 

RVM 300 155 2 10 20 

RVCM 55 29 1 4 10 

CDL 24 13 0 2 6 

ASP 9 1 0 

THC Cocaine PCP Opiates Amphetamines 

2 0 

Figure 3-9. Number of Positive Specimens by Employee Category 

and Type of Drug 

0.0% 

10.0% 

20.0% 

30.0% 

40.0% 

50.0% 

60.0% 

70.0% 

80.0% 

THC 58.3% 61.6% 55.6% 53.3% 75.0% 

Cocaine 33.7% 31.8% 29.3% 28.9% 16.7% 

PCP 0.4% 0.4% 0.1% 0.0% 8.3% 

Opiates 2.4% 2.1% 4.0% 4.4% 0.0% 

Amphetamines 5.2% 4.1% 10.1% 13.3% 0.0% 

RVO RVM RVCD CDL ASP 

Figure 3-10. Percent of Positive Specimens by Type of Drug and Employee Category 

3-15 2000 Annual Report 
Table 3-10. Multiple Drug Combinations 

Drug Combination Number of 

Specimens 

THC/Cocaine 20 

THC/PCP 1 

THC/Opiates 3 

THC/Amphetamines 5 

Cocaine/Opiates 3 

Cocaine/Amphetamines 2 

Amphetamines/PCP 1 

THC/Cocaine/Opiates 5 

THC/Cocaine/Amphetamines 1 

THC/Opiates/Amphetamines 1 

Opiates/Amphetamines 2 

PCP/Amphetamines 1 

Totals 45 

3.6 Drug Test Refusals 

Drug test refusals are based upon the number of employees, who when directed to provide 

specimens for testing, refuse to be tested. In 2000, there were 126 reported cases of covered 

employees refusing random drug testing and 69 cases of a covered employee refusing a nonrandom drug test. These refusals reflect .09 percent of the total number of drug tests attempted. 

For more information, see Figure 3-11. 

2000 Annual Report 3-16 
0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

70 

80 

Random Test Refusals 73 53 

Non-Random Test Refusals 33 36 

Percent of Random Tests 0.06% 0.04% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Figure 3-11. Drug Test Refusals 

3.7 Return-to-Duty Positive Rate 

Table 3-11 represents the total number of employees who returned to duty after receiving a 

positive drug test or after refusing to take a drug test. The consequences of refusing a drug test 

and for testing positive are synonymous. 

Table 3-11. Number of Covered Employees Who 

Employer 

Type 

Returned-to-Duty 

Returned-toDuty Percent of 

Total 

Transit 

Systems 

415 84.0 

Contractors 79 16.0 

Totals 494 100.0 

3.8 Results of Drug Tests Presented by Employee Category 

Tables 3-12 and 3-13 illustrate the drug test results by employee category. Specifically, Table 

3-12 compares the results of transit systems and contractors. Table 3-13 presents drug test 

results by employee category for large, small, and rural systems. 

3-17 2000 Annual Report 
2000 Annual Report Table 3-12. Drug Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Transit System and C

Transit Systems Contractors 

Employee Category Number of Specimens Collected Number of Positive Results Percent Positive Number of Specimens Collected Number of Positive Results Percent Positive Number of Specimens Collected Nu

P

R

TOTALS BY EMPLOYEE CATEGORY, ALL TEST TYPES Revenue Vehicle Operation 118,136 1,388 1.17% 53,529 1,565 2.92% 171,665 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 30,939 362 1.17% 5,253 117 2.23% 36,192 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 9,313 42 0.45% 2,858 55 1.92% 12,171 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 3,378 37 1.10% 350 5 1.43% 3,728 Armed Security Personnel 2,026 7 0.35% 897 5 0.56% 2,923 TOTALS 163,792 1,836 1.12% 62,887 1,747 2.78% 226,679 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Test Type Number of Specimens Collected Number of Positive Results Percent Positive Number of Specimens Collected Number of Positive Results Percent Positive Number of Specimens Collected Nu

P

R

REVENUE VEHICLE OPERATOR Pre-Employment 35,781 647 1.81% 30,737 1,081 3.52% 66,518 Random 65,210 498 0.76% 18,877 323 1.71% 84,087 Post-Accident 10,791 114 1.06% 3,101 112 3.61% 13,892 Reasonable Suspicion 667 23 3.45% 225 23 10.22% 892 Return-to-Duty 654 22 3.36% 110 5 4.55% 764 Follow-Up 5,033 84 1.67% 479 21 4.38% 5,512 REVENUE VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Pre-Employment 6,210 102 1.64% 1,784 58 3.25% 7,994 Random 21,010 200 0.95% 3,177 46 1.45% 24,187 Post-Accident 672 11 1.64% 111 2 1.80% 783 Reasonable Suspicion 115 5 4.35% 20 6 30.00% 135 Return-to-Duty 202 6 2.97% 21 1 4.76% 223 Follow-Up 2,730 38 1.39% 140 4 2.86% 2,870 
2000 Annual Report 3-19 Table 3-12. 

D

rug Test R

esults by Employe

e C

ategory and Test Type by Transit Syst

e

m and C

ont

r

a

c

Transit Systems Contractors 

Test Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

N

P

REVENUE VEHICLE C

ONTROL/ DISPATCH 

Pre-Employment 1,579 14 0.89% 946 24 2.54% 2,525 Random 7,205 26 0.36% 1,793 28 1.56% 8,998 Post-Accident 149 0 

0.00% 20 0 

0.00% 169 

Reasonable Suspicion 24 0 

0.00% 6 1 16.67% 30 

Return-to-Duty 36 0 

0.00% 10 1 10.00% 46 

Follow-Up 320 2 

0.63% 83 1 1.20% 403 

CDL/NON-REVENUE VEHICLE Pre-Employment 382 9 2.36% 70 0 

0.00% 452 

Random 2,332 24 1.03% 266 4 1.50% 2,598 Post-Accident 93 1 1.08% 7 0 0.00% 100 Reasonable Suspicion 14 1 7.14% 0 0 0.00% 14 Return-to-Duty 17 0 

0.00% 1 0 0.00% 18 

Follow-Up 540 2 0.37% 6 1 16.67% 546 ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL Pre-Employment 485 5 1.03% 525 4 0.76% 1,010 Random 1,428 1 0.07% 370 1 0.27% 1,798 Post-Accident 67 0 

0.00% 1 0 0.00% 68 

Reasonable Suspicion 2 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 3 Return-to-Duty 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 1 Follow-Up 43 1 2.33% 0 0 0.00% 43 
3-20 2000 Annual Report 

Table 3-13. Drug Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Size 

Large Small 

Employee Category 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

N

P

TOTALS BY EMPLOYEE CATEGORY, ALL TEST TYPES Revenue Vehicle Operation 132,455 2,433 1.84% 13,542 231 1.71% 25,668 Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 34,606 398 1.22% 2,057 59 2.87% 1,529 Revenue Veh. Control/Disp. 8,546 67 0.78% 1,067 12 1.12% 2,558 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 3,052 30 0.98% 224 1 0.45% 452 Armed Security Personnel 2,882 12 0.42% 41 0 0.00% 0 TOTALS 179,541 2,940 1.64% 16,931 303 1.79% 30,207 

Large Small 

Test Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

N

P

REVENUE VEHICLE OPERATOR Pre-Employment 49,181 1,436 2.92% 5,563 116 2.09% 11,774 Random 64,637 648 1.00% 6,633 84 1.27% 12,817 Post-Accident 11,930 198 1.66% 1,060 14 1.32% 902 Reasonable Suspicion 815 39 4.79% 27 3 11.11% 50 Return-to-Duty 638 21 3.29% 61 3 4.92% 65 Follow-Up 5,254 91 1.73% 198 11 5.56% 60 REVENUE VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Pre-Employment 6,894 132 1.91% 630 21 3.33% 470 Random 21,933 210 0.96% 1,262 24 1.90% 992 Post-Accident 668 10 1.50% 85 3 3.53% 30 Reasonable Suspicion 121 8 6.61% 7 3 42.86% 7 Return-to-Duty 196 2 1.02% 13 4 30.77% 14 Follow-Up 2,794 36 1.29% 60 4 6.67% 16 
2000 Annual Report 3-21 

Table 3-13. Drug Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Size (continued

Large Small 

Test Type 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

Number of 

Positive 

Results 

Percent 

Positive 

Number of 

Specimens 

Collected 

N

P

REVENUE VEHICLE CONTROL/ DISPATCH Pre-Employment 1,541 22 1.43% 206 6 2.91% 778 Random 6,408 41 0.64% 844 6 0.71% 1,746 Post-Accident 144 0 0.00% 11 0 0.00% 14 Reasonable Suspicion 30 1 3.33% 0 0 0.00% 0 Return-to-Duty 37 1 2.70% 3 0 0.00% 6 Follow-Up 386 2 0.52% 3 0 0.00% 14 CDL/NON-REVENUE VEHICLE Pre-Employment 290 7 2.41% 26 0 0.00% 136 Random 2,101 19 0.90% 194 1 0.52% 303 Post-Accident 88 1 1.14% 2 0 0.00% 10 Reasonable Suspicion 11 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 2 Return-to-Duty 17 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 1 Follow-Up 545 3 0.55% 1 0 0.00% 0 ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL Pre-Employment 999 9 0.90% 11 0 0.00% 0 Random 1,768 2 0.11% 30 0 0.00% 3 Post-Accident 68 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 Reasonable Suspicion 3 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 Return-to-Duty 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 Follow-Up 43 1 2.33% 0 0 0.00% 0 

4. ALCOHOL TEST RESULTS 

Chapter 4 provides background information on the alcohol testing procedures and a summary of 

the 2000 alcohol test results. The chapter also discusses results of random alcohol testing for 

transit systems and contracts, by employer size, and by region. 

SUMMARY OF ALCOHOL TESTS RESULTS 

Ο In 2000, there were a total of 69,005 alcohol tests conducted. 

Ο There were 41,002 random tests conducted in 2000. 

Ο There were six non-fatal accidents with positive alcohol results, and 

one fatal accident in 2000. 

Ο The alcohol violation rate was 0.15% for 2000. 

Ο Regions 5,7, and 8 represent had the highest violation rates of 0.22%, 0.39%, 

and 0.32%, respectively. 

4-1 2000 Annual Report 
Employees of FTA-funded agencies are 

prohibited from using alcohol while 

performing safety-sensitive functions. 

Specifically, employees who hold safetysensitive functions must not consume alcohol 

4 hours prior to reporting to work. In cases 

when employees violate this regulation and 

the employer is aware of it, the agency must 

give the employee the opportunity to 

acknowledge use of alcohol at the time he or 

she arrives to duty. An alcohol test must be 

administered if the employee claims to be 

able to perform his or her safety-sensitive 

functions. In the case of a FTA-defined 

accident, an employee cannot drink alcohol 

for 8 hours following the incident unless they 

have been tested prior to this 8-hour time 

period. 

A post-accident test is required for prohibited 

An employee with an alcohol concentration 

of ≥ 0.02 but < 0.04 must be removed from 

his or her safety-sensitive position for 8 

hours or until a re-test shows an alcohol 

concentration of < 0.02. 

An employee with an alcohol concentration 

of ≥ 0.04 must be removed from his or her 

safety-sensitive position, be told about 

educational and treatment programs 

available, and be referred to a substance 

abuse professional. 

Figure 4-1. Consequences of an Alcohol 

Test for FTA-Covered Employees 

drugs and alcohol, following certain mass transit accidents. These accidents include those in 

which a death occurs, medical treatment away from the scene of the incident is required, or one 

or more of the vehicles involved incurs disabling damage. 

The FTA provides different sets of consequences (see Figure 4-1) should an alcohol confirmation 

test show that an employee’s alcohol concentration is (1) ≥ 0.02 but < 0.04, or (2) ≥ 0.04. 

The alcohol concentration level is the amount of alcohol in a volume of breath expressed in terms 

of grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. Alcohol tests are conducted in two parts: a 

screening test, followed by a confirmation test for those employees for whom the screening test 

result indicates an alcohol concentration ≥ 0.02. 

The data collected by the FTA from transit systems and contractors includes information on the 

number of screening tests conducted, the number of confirmation tests conducted, and the results 

from these confirmation tests. In this report, the alcohol test results are derived from the number 

of screening tests conducted that are found to be ≥ 0.04. The number of screening tests is used to 

better reflect accurate testing percentages. Because confirmation tests are only performed once a 

screening test has resulted in ≥ 0.02, to report results ≥ 0.04 of confirmation tests would result in 

high and misleading percentages. 

Table 4-1 shows the percent of alcohol forms submitted by transit systems and contractors with 

at least one positive test result in 2000. 

2000 Annual Report 4-2 
Table 4-1. Percent of Alcohol Forms Received for 2000 with at Least One Positive 

Test Result 

Employer 

Type 

Number of 

Employers 

Number 

0.02 - 0.04 

Percent with a 

Test 0.02 – 0.04 

Number 

> 0.04 

Percent with 

a Positive 

Transit 

Systems 1,700 38 2.24% 58 3.41% 

Contractors 957 12 1.25% 31 3.24% 

Totals 2,657 50 1.88% 89 3.35% 

Table 4-2 shows the results of random alcohol testing for transit systems and contractors. 

Random alcohol testing was the type of test conducted most frequently; 41,002 tests out of 

69,005 total tests. Although Table 4-2 shows the number of random “positives” for alcohol tests 

≥ 0.02 but < 0.04, for reporting purposes verified positives are considered ≥ 0.04. Table 4-3 

provides random alcohol test results at both levels by size. The positive random alcohol test rate 

in 2000 was 0.10%. 

Table 4-2. Random Alcohol Test Results at Both Levels for Transit Systems and 

Contractors 

Employer Type Total 

Screens 

Number 

0.02 - 0.04 

Number 

≥ 0.04 

Percent 

0.02 - 0.04 

Percent 

≥ 0.04 

Transit Systems 33,300 33 0.09% 0.10% 

Contractors 7,702 9 0.08% 0.12% 

Totals 41,002 36 42 0.09% 0.10% 

30 

6 

Table 4-3. Random Alcohol Test Results at Both Levels by Size 

Size Total 

Screens 

Number 

0.02 - 0.04 

Number 

≥ 0.04 

Percent 

0.02 - 0.04 

Percent 

≥ 0.04 

Large 33,241 34 0.11% 0.10% 

Small 2,709 1 0.04% 0.04% 

Rural 5,052 7 0.00% 0.14% 

Totals 41,002 36 42 0.09% 0.10% 

35 

1 

0 

4-3 2000 Annual Report 
4.1 Alcohol Tests by FTA Region 

This section reports alcohol test results by FTA region. A list of the states in each FTA region 

can be found in Appendix A. As shown in Figure 4-2, of the 10 FTA regions, Regions 7 and 8 

had the highest percent of specimens that tested positive for alcohol. Regions 5 and 8 had the 

highest percent of positive random alcohol rates, as shown in Figure 4-3. Table 4-4 provides the 

actual numbers for random alcohol test results at both levels by region. 

Figure 4-2. Positive Alcohol Rates by Region 

Figure 4-3. Positive Random Alcohol Rates by Region 

2000 Annual Report 4-4 
Table 4-4. Random Alcohol Test Results at Both Levels by Region 

Region Total 

Screens 

Number 

0.02 - 0.04 

Number 

≥ 0.04 

Percent 

0.02 - 0.04 

Percent 

≥ 0.04 

1 1 3 0.06% 0.17% 

2 7 8 0.08% 0.09% 

3 6 9 0.09% 0.14% 

4 0 3 0.00% 0.05% 

5 9 9 0.18% 0.18% 

6 3 3 0.07% 0.07% 

7 0 1 0.00% 0.13% 

8 0 2 0.00% 0.21% 

9 9 2 0.18% 0.04% 

10 1 2 0.06% 0.13% 

Totals 41,002 36 42 0.09% 0.10% 

1,787 

8,448 

6,486 

6,470 

5,079 

4,550 

761 

937 

4,905 

1,579 

4.2 Results of Alcohol Testing by Test Type and Employee Category 

Alcohol test information was required from transit systems and their contractors for five test 

types: random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up. Although the 

requirement to conduct pre-employment testing was suspended by the FTA as of May 10, 1995, 

some employers still provide the test and the results. 

Table 4-5 presents the alcohol test results by test type and by employee category for transit 

systems and contractors, and identifies the combined totals. Table 4-6 presents the alcohol test 

results by test type and employee category for large, small, and rural systems. Table 4-7 presents 

alcohol testing information by employee category and test type for transit systems, contractors, 

and totals. Table 4-8 presents the alcohol test results by employee category and test type for 

large, small, and rural systems and their combined totals. 

4-5 2000 Annual Report 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

Table 4-5. Alcohol Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Transit System and C

Transit Systems Contractors 

Test Type 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

TOTALS BY TEST TYPE, ALL EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES Pre-Employment 3,745 2 0.05% 2,351 0 0.00% 6,096 Random 33,300 33 0.10% 7,702 9 0.12% 41,002 Post-Accident 11,179 5 0.04% 2,604 0 0.00% 13,783 Reasonable Suspicion 809 53 6.55% 233 28 12.02% 1,042 Return-to-Duty 546 0 0.00% 52 0 0.00% 598 Follow-Up 5,962 9 0.15% 522 1 0.19% 6,484 TOTALS 55,541 102 0.18% 13,464 38 0.28% 69,005 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Employee Category 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT Revenue Vehicle Operations 3,107 2 0.06% 2, 030 0 0.00% 5,137 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 389 0 0.00% 166 0 0.00% 555 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 159 0 0.00% 87 0 0.00% 246 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 57 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 58 Armed Security Personnel 33 0 0.00% 67 0 0.00% 100 RANDOM Revenue Vehicle Operations 22,039 19 0.09% 5,715 6 0.10% 27, 754 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 7,052 7 0.10% 1,185 3 0.25% 8,237 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 2,122 4 0.19% 588 0 0.00% 2, 710 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 1,399 3 0.21% 53 0 0.00% 1,452 Armed Security Personnel 688 0 0.00% 161 0 0.00% 849 

2000 Annual Report 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

2000 Annual Report

Table 4-5. Alcohol Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Transit System and Contra

 4-7 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Employee Category 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

POST-ACCIDENT Revenue Vehicle Operations 10,239 4 0.04% 2, 492 0 0.00% 12, 731 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 638 0 0.00% 96 0 0.00% 734 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 143 0 0.00% 11 0 0.00% 154 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 92 1 1.09% 4 0 0.00% 96 Armed Security Personnel 67 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 68 REASONABLE SUSPICION Revenue Vehicle Operations 659 40 6.07% 217 24 11.06% 876 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 112 9 8.04% 9 2 22.22% 121 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 23 3 13.04% 7 2 28.57% 30 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 13 1 7.69% 0 0 0.00% 13 Armed Security Personnel 2 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 2 RETURN-TO-DUTY Revenue Vehicle Operations 380 0 0.00% 37 0 0.00% 417 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 138 0 0.00% 13 0 0.00% 151 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 16 0 0.00% 2 0 0.00% 18 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 11 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 11 Armed Security Personnel 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 1 FOLLOW-UP Revenue Vehicle Operations 3,457 8 0.23% 328 1 0.30% 3,785 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 1,923 1 0.05% 133 0 0.00% 2, 056 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 251 0 0.00% 61 0 0.00% 312 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 300 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 300 Armed Security Personnel 31 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 31 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

Table 4-6. Alcohol Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Size 

Large Small 

Test Type 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

TOTALS BY TEST TYPE, ALL EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES Pre-Employment 4,016 1 0.02% 944 0 0.00% 1, 136 Random 33,241 34 0.10% 2,709 1 0.04% 5, 052 Post-Accident 12,062 4 0.03% 997 0 0.00% 724 Reasonable Suspicion 960 65 6.77% 34 7 20.59% 48 Return-to-Duty 564 0 0.00% 18 0 0.00% 16 Follow-Up 6,369 10 0.16% 65 0 0.00% 50 TOTALS 57,212 114 0.20% 4,767 8 0.17% 7,026 

Large Small 

Employee Category 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT Revenue Vehicle Operations 3,382 1 0.03% 779 0 0.00% 976 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 401 0 0.00% 115 0 0.00% 39 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 107 0 0.00% 39 0 0.00% 100 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 26 0 0.00% 11 0 0.00% 21 Armed Security Personnel 100 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 RANDOM Revenue Vehicle Operations 21,705 21 0.10% 2, 012 0 0.00% 4,037 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 7,493 8 0.11% 398 1 0.25% 346 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 1,926 3 0.16% 244 0 0.00% 540 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 1,269 2 0.16% 54 0 0.00% 129 Armed Security Personnel 848 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 0 

2000 Annual Report 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

2000 Annual Report 4-9 Table 4-6. Alcohol Test Results by Test Type and Employee Category by Size (continue

Large Small 

Employee Category Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests POST-ACCIDENT Revenue Vehicle Operations 11,136 3 0.03% 913 0 0.00% 682 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 638 0 0.00% 73 0 0.00% 23 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 134 0 0.00% 11 0 0.00% 9 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 86 1 1.16% 0 0 0.00% 10 Armed Security Personnel 68 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 REASONABLE SUSPICION Revenue Vehicle Operations 804 51 6.34% 32 7 21.88% 40 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 115 10 8.70% 1 0 0.00% 5 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 28 3 10.71% 0 0 0.00% 2 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 11 1 9.09% 1 0 0.00% 1 Armed Security Personnel 2 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 RETURN-TO-DUTY Revenue Vehicle Operations 390 0 0.00% 16 0 0.00% 11 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 145 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 5 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 17 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% 0 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 11 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 Armed Security Personnel 1 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 FOLLOW-UP Revenue Vehicle Operations 3,702 9 0.24% 37 0 0.00% 46 Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance 2, 026 1 0.05% 26 0 0.00% 4 Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch 310 0 0.00% 2 0 0.00% 0 CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 300 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 Armed Security Personnel 31 0 0.00% 0 0 0.00% 0 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

Table 4-7. Alcohol Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Transit System and C

2000 Annual Report Transit Systems Contractors 

Employee Category Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests TOTALS BY EMPLOYEE CATEGORY, ALL TEST TYPES Revenue Vehicle Operations 39,881 73 0.18% 10,819 31 0.29% 50,70Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 10,252 17 0.17% 1,602 5 0.31% 11,8Revenue Veh. Control/Dispatch 2,714 7 0.26% 756 2 0.26% 3,4CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 1,872 5 0.27% 58 0 0.00% 1,9Armed Security Personnel 822 0 0.00% 229 0 0.00% 1,0TOTALS 55,541 102 0.18% 13,464 38 0.28% 69,00

Transit Systems Contractors 

Test Type Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests REVENUE VEHICLE OPERATIONS Pre-Employment 3,107 2 0.06% 2, 030 0 0. 00% 5,1Random 22,039 19 0.09% 5, 715 6 0. 10% 27,7Post-Accident 10,239 4 0.04% 2,492 0 0. 00% 12,7Reasonable Suspicion 659 40 6.07% 217 24 11.06% 8Return-to-Duty 380 0 0.00% 37 0 0.00% 4Follow-Up 3,457 8 0.23% 328 1 0. 30% 3,7REVENUE VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Pre-Employment 389 0 0.00% 166 0 0.00% 5Random 7,052 7 0.10% 1,185 3 0.25% 8,2Post-Accident 638 0 0.00% 96 0 0.00% 7Reasonable Suspicion 112 9 8.04% 9 2 22.22% 1Return-to-Duty 138 0 0.00% 13 0 0.00% 1Follow-Up 1,923 1 0.05% 133 0 0.00% 2,0
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

Table 4-7. 

Alc

ohol Test R

esults by Employe

e C

ategory and Test Type by Transit Syst

e

m and C

ont

r

a

2000 Annual Report 4-11 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Test Type 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

REVENUE VEHICLE C

ONTROL/DISPATCH 

Pre-Employment 159 0 

0.00% 87 0 0.00% 246 

Random 2,122 4 0.19% 588 0 0.00% 2,710 Post-Accident 143 0 

0.00% 11 0 0.00% 154 

Reasonable Suspicion 23 3 13.04% 7 2 28.57% 30 Return-to-Duty 16 0 

0.00% 2 0 0.00% 18 

Follow-Up 251 0 

0.00% 61 0 0.00% 312 

CDL/NON-REVENUE VEHICLE Pre-Employment 57 0 

0.00% 1 0 0. 00% 58 

Random 1,399 3 0.21% 53 0 0. 00% 1,452 Post-Accident 92 1 1.09% 4 0 0. 00% 96 Reasonable Suspicion 13 1 7.69% 0 

0 0. 00% 13 

Return-to-Duty 11 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0. 00% 11 

Follow-Up 300 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0. 00% 300 

ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL Pre-Employment 33 0 

0.00% 67 0 0.00% 100 

Random 688 0 

0.00% 161 0 0.00% 849 

Post-Accident 67 0 

0.00% 1 0 0.00% 68 

Reasonable Suspicion 2 0 0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 2 

Return-to-Duty 1 0 0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 1 

Follow-Up 31 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 31 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

Table 4-8. Alcohol Test Results by Employee Category and Test Type by Size 

2000 Annual Report Large Small 

Employee Category Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number o

Screening Tests 

TOTALS BY EMPLOYEE CATEGORY, ALL TEST TYPES Revenue Vehicle Operations 41,119 85 0.21% 3, 789 7 0.18% 5, 7Revenue Veh. and Equip. Maint. 10,818 19 0.18% 614 1 0.16% 4Revenue Veh. Control/Dispatch 2,522 6 0.24% 297 0 0.00% 6CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle 1,703 4 0.23% 66 0 0.00% 1Armed Security Personnel 1,050 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% TOTALS 57,212 114 0.20% 4,769 8 0.17% 7,0

Large Small 

Test Type Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number of Screening Tests Number of Results ≥ 0.04 Percent ≥ 0.04 Number o

Screening Tests 

REVENUE VEHICLE OPERATIONS Pre-Employment 3,382 1 0.03% 779 0 0.00% 9Random 21,705 21 0.10% 2,012 0 0.00% 4,0Post-Accident 11,136 3 0.03% 913 0 0.00% 6Reasonable Suspicion 804 51 6.34% 32 7 21.88% Return-to-Duty 390 0 0.00% 16 0 0.00% Follow-Up 3,702 9 0.24% 37 0 0.00% REVENUE VEHICLE AND EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Pre-Employment 401 0 0.00% 115 0 0.00% Random 7,493 8 0.11% 398 1 0.25% 3Post-Accident 638 0 0.00% 73 0 0.00% Reasonable Suspicion 115 10 8.70% 1 0 0.00% Return-to-Duty 145 0 0.00% 1 0 0.00% Follow-Up 2,026 1 0.05% 26 0 0.00% 
≥ ≥ ≥ ≥ 

2000 Annual Report 4-13 

Table 4-8. 

Alc

ohol Test R

esults by Employe

e C

ategory and Test Type by Siz

e (

continue

Large Small 

Test Type 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

Number of 

Results ≥ 

0.04 

Percent ≥ 

0.04 

Number of 

Screening 

Tests 

REVENUE VEHICLE C

ONTROL/DISPATCH 

Pre-Employment 107 0 

0.00% 39 0 0.00% 100 

Random 1,926 3 0.16% 244 0 0.00% 540 Post-Accident 134 0 

0.00% 11 0 0.00% 9 

Reasonable Suspicion 28 3 10.71% 0 

0 0.00% 2 

Return-to-Duty 17 0 

0.00% 1 0 0.00% 0 

Follow-Up 310 0 

0.00% 2 0 0.00% 0 

CDL/NON-REVENUE VEHICLE Pre-Employment 26 0 

0.00% 11 0 0.00% 21 

Random 1,269 2 0.16% 54 0 0.00% 129 Post-Accident 86 1 1.16% 0 

0 0.00% 10 

Reasonable Suspicion 11 1 9.09% 1 0 0.00% 1 Return-to-Duty 11 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 

Follow-Up 300 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 

ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL Pre-Employment 100 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 

Random 848 0 

0.00% 1 0 0.00% 0 

Post-Accident 68 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 

Reasonable Suspicion 2 0 0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 

Return-to-Duty 1 0 0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 

Follow-Up 31 0 

0.00% 0 

0 0.00% 0 
4.3 Alcohol Testing Refusals 

The FTA regulations stipulate that no employer shall permit an employee to perform safety-sensitive 

functions if the employee refuses a required alcohol test. The number of employees who refused to 

be tested was 51, as shown in Figure 4-4. 

0 

2 

4 

6 

8 

10 

12 

14 

16 

18 

20 

Random Test Refusals 13 8 

Non-Random Test Refusals 12 18 

Percent of Random Tests 0.05% 0.09% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Figure 4-4. Alcohol Test Refusals 

4.4 Employees Returned to Duty 

For 2000, 97 employees who had previously engaged in alcohol misuse or who had refused to take 

an alcohol test were returned to duty. Each individual had to undergo a return-to-duty test indicating 

a result of an alcohol concentration < 0.02. ees who returnedto-duty. 

Table 4-9. Number of Covered Employees Who 

Returned-to-Duty 

Employer Returned-toDuty Percent of Total 

Transit 

Systems 

79 

Contractors 18 

Totals 97 100.0% 

Table 4-9 shows the number of employ

81.4% 

18.6% 

2000 Annual Report 4-14 
4.5 Accidents 

FTA regulations require testing for drugs and alcohol following an accident in which there is a loss 

of human life. For non-fatal accidents meeting FTA-defined conditions, testing is required unless 

the covered employee’s performance can be discounted completely as a causative or contributing 

factor. The definition of an accident can be found in Section 3.4. 

Post-accident drug tests must be performed within 32 hours of an accident meeting the abovedescribed conditions; post-accident alcohol tests must be performed within 8 hours. According 

to the regulations, employers should be conducting an equal number of drug and alcohol postaccident tests (i.e., with each accident requiring testing, both a drug and alcohol post-accident test 

should be performed). If both tests are not conducted, the reason should be documented. 

Tables 4-10 and 4-11 present the 2000 accident data for non-fatal and fatal accidents with alcohol 

positives, by both transit systems and contractors and by size, respectively. 

Table 4-10. Accidents with Alcohol Positives 

Employer 

Number of 

Non-Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatalities 

Transit 

Systems 

6 0 

Contractors 0 0 

Totals 6 0 0 

0 

0 

Table 4-11. Accidents with Alcohol Positives by Size 

Employer 

Number of 

Non-Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatal 

Accidents 

Number of 

Fatalities 

Large 4 0 

Small 1 0 

Rural 1 0 

Totals 6 0 0 

0 

0 

0 

4-15 2000 Annual Report 
4.6 Post-Accident Positives 

Employers are required to report the number of accidents that result in a post-accident alcohol test 

indicating an alcohol concentration ≥ 0.04. The figures for 2000 are illustrated in Table 4-12 below. 

Table 4-12. Post-Accident Alcohol Positives 

Employer 

Revenue 

Vehicle 

Operations 

Vehicle and 

Equip. 

Maint. 

Rev. Vehicle 

Cntl/Dsptch 

CDL/NonRevenue 

Armed 

Security 

Personnel 

Number 0.02 – 

0.04 8 0 0 

Number > 0.04 4 0 0 

Totals 12 1 0 1 0 

1 0 

0 1 

4.7 Violation Rate 

The FTA alcohol testing rule defines the violation rate as the number of random alcohol test results ≥ 

0.04 plus the number of FTA-covered employees who refused a random test, divided by the total 

number of random tests plus the number of FTA-covered employees who refused a random test. See 

Tables 4-13 to 4-15 for data on violation rates for transit systems and contractors as well as by 

employer size. Figure 4-5 illustrates the violation rate by region. The following formula 

demonstrates how the violation rate is determined. 

Random alcohol test results ≥ 0.04% + number refused random testing (42 + 21) 63 

_________________________________________________________ = __________ = _______ = 0.15% 

Total random tests + number refused random testing 41,002 + ( 21) 41,023 

2000 Annual Report 4-16 
Figure 4-5. Alcohol Violation Rate by Region 

Table 4-13. Violation Rate by Transit System/Contractor

Employer Total 

Screens 

Number 

≥ 0.04 

Random Test 

Refusals 

Violation 

Rate 

Transit 

Systems 33,300 13 0.14% 

Contractors 7,702 8 0.23% 

Totals 41,002 42 21 0.15% 

33 

9 

Table 4-14. Violation Rate by Employer Size 

Employer Total 

Screens 

Number 

≥ 0.04 

Random Test 

Refusals 

Violation 

Rate 

Large 33,241 13 0.11% 

Small 2,709 3 0.15% 

Rural 5,052 5 0.26% 

Totals 41,002 42 21 0.15% 

34 

1 

7 

4-17 2000 Annual Report 
Table 4-15. Violation Rate by FTA Region 

Region Total 

Screens 

Number 

≥ 0.04 

Random Test 

Refusals 

Violation 

Rate 

1 1,787 0 0.17% 

2 8,448 4 0.14% 

3 6,486 1 0.15% 

4 6,470 7 0.15% 

5 5,079 2 0.22% 

6 4,550 1 0.09% 

7 761 2 0.39% 

8 937 1 0.32% 

9 4,905 3 0.10% 

10 1,579 0 0.13% 

Totals 41,002 42 21 0.15% 

3 

8 

9 

3 

9 

3 

1 

2 

2 

2 

4.8 Other Violations 

Table 4-16 provides information for alcohol violations other than those detected through the alcohol 

testing process. 

Table 4-16. Other Alcohol Violations 

Number of 

Covered 

Transit 

Systems 

Contractors 

Other Violations 

Employees 

13 11 2 Covered employee used alcohol while 

performing safety-sensitive function. 

13 12 1 Covered employee used alcohol within 4 

hours of performing safety-sensitive function. 

0 0 0 Covered employee used alcohol before taking 

a required post-accident alcohol test. 

26 23 3 

2000 Annual Report 4-18 
5. TREND ANALYSIS 

This chapter provides a trend analysis of the drug and alcohol testing conducted by all of the 

employers reporting in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. 

5.1 Drug and Alcohol Reports Received 

In 1996, a total of 2,287 MIS forms were received and in 1997 there were 2,317 MIS forms 

submitted. In 1998, reporters could submit either hard copy MIS forms or data diskettes; the 

combined total of these in 1998 was 2,477. In 1999, there were 2,588 submissions, and in 2000 

there were 2,657 submissions. Therefore, the number of drug and alcohol reports received has 

increased 16.2 percent over this 5-year period. The majority of this growth is due to the increased 

number of contractors reporting – this swell may be indicative of an industry-wide trend in 

contracting for services. Figure 5-1 illustrates this trend. 

SUMMARY FINDINGS FOR 2000 REPORTING: 

Ο The number of drug and alcohol reports received has increased by 16.2% over the past 5 

years. 

Ο The annual percent of MIS drug reports with a positive rate has declined since 1996 to 

26.01%. 

Ο The overall percentage of verified drug test positives has steadily declined since 1996. 

Ο The percentage of MIS reports with at least one positive result has declined for each of 

the last 4 years. 

5-1 2000 Annual Report 
0 

200 

400 

600 

800 

1000 

1200 

1400 

1600 

1800 

2000 

Transit Systems 1,580 1,613 1,631 1,628 1,700 

Contractors 707 704 846 960 957 

Totals 2,287 2,317 2,477 2,588 2,657 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Figure 5-1. Drug and Alcohol Reports Received 

The total number of drug MIS reports with at least one positive test result has decreased for each 

of the last 5 years. For transit systems, the number increased slightly in 1999, after a steady 

decline from the preceding years, and it declined again in 2000. For contractors, their lowest rate 

of drug reports with positives was in 2000, although their rate was significantly higher than for 

transit systems for all 5 years. The total number of alcohol reports with test results > 0.04 was on 

a downward trend with a slight increase in 2000, but with an overall decline in rates since 1996. 

See Table 5-1. 

Table 5-1. Percent of Drug Reports with a Verified Positive and Alcohol Reports with a 

Test Result > 0.04 

Drug Alcohol 

Employer 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Transit 

Systems 

24.36 23.56 23.06 23.46 21.65 4.30 3.66 3.06 2.89 2.94 

Contractors 37.34 40.91 35.10 33.96 33.75 3.82 4.26 5.08 2.40 3.24 

Totals 30.95 28.83 27.57 27.36 26.01 4.06 3.84 3.75 2.70 3.05 

2000 Annual Report 5-2 
5.2 Positive Drug and Alcohol Test Results 

The transit industry-wide positive random drug test rate has declined over the last 5 years. 

Consistent with that trend is the random positive drug testing rate of the transit systems. Random 

alcohol test results > 0.04 were in a downward trend until 2000, where the rate remained 

consistent with the previous year’s rate. However, the results of contractor testing are not 

consistent with that trend. Contractors’ positive random drug rates are at a much higher rate than 

transit systems and have fluctuated during the 5-year period. The overall rates for random 

positive drug test results have declined each year over the past 5 years with a downward trend 

experienced from 1996-1999, and a slight increase in 2000 for random alcohol test results > 0.04. 

Table 5-2 shows the positive drug rate from 1996 to 2000. See Figures 5-2 and 5-3 for 

information on random drug and alcohol test results. 

1996 

Table 5-2. Drug Positive Rate for 1996 to 2000 

1997 1998 1999 2000 

1.60% 1.27% 1.20% 1.14% 1.05 

0.00% 

0.50% 

1.00% 

1.50% 

2.00% 

Transit Systems 1.42% 1.06% 0.93% 0.83% 0.77% 

Contractors 1.84% 1.92% 1.69% 1.72% 1.64% 

Totals 1.50% 1.21% 1.07% 1.00% 0.95% 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Figure 5-2. Comparison of Verified Positive Random Drug Test Results 

5-3 2000 Annual Report 
0.00% 

0.05% 

0.10% 

0.15% 

0.20% 

Transit Systems 0.17% 0.15% 0.13% 0.10% 0.10% 

Contractors 0.11% 0.09% 0.14% 0.05% 0.12% 

Totals 0.16% 0.14% 0.13% 0.09% 0.10% 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Figure 5-3. Comparison of Random Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 

The positive drug test rate for all types of tests declined for the 1996-1999 time period, and has 

remained constant from 1999 to 2000. Test rates for contractors were substantially higher than 

those of transit systems. See Figure 5-4. 

0.00% 

0.50% 

1.00% 

1.50% 

2.00% 

2.50% 

3.00% 

3.50% 

1996 1.75% 2.75% 2.00% 

1997 1.41% 3.01% 1.77% 

1998 1.28% 2.87% 1.67% 

1999 1.20% 2.66% 1.59% 

2000 1.12% 2.78% 1.59% 

Transit Systems Contractors Totals 

Figure 5-4. Percent of Verified Drug Test Positives 

2000 Annual Report 5-4 
The alcohol test rate > 0.04 for all types of tests has remained fairly constant for 1996-1998, 

dipping slightly in 1999 and again in 2000, showing a downward trend from 1998 on. Test rates 

for contractors were higher than those of transit systems, particularly in 1998. See Figure 5-5. 

0.00% 

0.10% 

0.20% 

0.30% 

0.40% 

0.50% 

0.60% 

1996 0.27% 0.32% 0.28% 

1997 0.24% 0.31% 0.25% 

1998 0.24% 0.56% 0.29% 

1999 0.18% 0.33% 0.21% 

2000 0.18% 0.28% 0.20% 

Transit Systems Contractors Totals 

Figure 5-5. Percentage of All Alcohol Screening Test Results > 0.04 

5.3 Violation Rates and Test Refusals 

See Figure 5-6 for the alcohol violation rate. In every year but 1996, contractors had a much 

greater violation rate than transit systems. In 1999, contractors nearly doubled transit systems in 

their violation rate. The overall trend has increased since 1996, and the total rate has fluctuated 

each year. 

5-5 2000 Annual Report 
0.00% 

0.10% 

0.20% 

0.30% 

0.40% 

1996 0.22% 0.16% 0.21% 

1997 0.18% 0.28% 0.19% 

1998 0.19% 0.31% 0.22% 

1999 0.16% 0.29% 0.18% 

2000 0.21% 0.34% 0.23% 

Transit Systems Contractors Totals 

Figure 5-6. Violation Rate (Alcohol) 

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

Random 33 36 35 36 21 

Non-Random 46 17 24 24 30 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Figure 5-7. Alcohol Test Refusals 

2000 Annual Report 5-6 
0 

25 

50 

75 

100 

125 

150 

175 

Random 110 69 143 170 126 

Non-Random 48 33 54 93 69 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Figure 5-8. Drug Test Refusals 

5.4 Drug and Alcohol Test Positives by Employment Category and Test Type 

Figure 5-10 depicts the percent of verified drug test positives by test type for the last 5 years. 

For return-to-duty testing, contractors had a greater percent of positives than in 1996, and an 

increase from the previous year. Post-accident positives for contractors also increased in 2000 

from the previous year, as well as from the 1996 data. 

All the testing categories for transit systems showed declines in the percent of positive tests in 

2000, as compared to 1996. The testing categories for contractors of pre-employment, postaccident, and return-to-duty all showed increases in the percent positive in 2000 as compared to 

1996. The testing categories of random, reasonable suspicion, and follow-up all showed declines 

in the percent positive in 2000 as compared to 1996. 

The only testing category that showed a decline each year in positive test results was for random 

testing of transit systems. 

For alcohol testing (see Figure 5-11), random positives for transit systems were the only test type 

that showed a decline in the percent of positive test results > for each of the 4 years, with the fifth 

year being constant. 

If comparing 1996 with 2000, there were less positives > for both transit systems and contractors 

for post-accident and follow-up testing. Return-to-duty testing also showed a decline for transit 

systems and a constant percentage for contractors in comparison of the 1996 and 2000 data. 

5-7 2000 Annual Report 
Pre-Employment Random 

0.00% 

2.00% 

4.00% 

6.00% 

8.00% 

1996 2.34% 3.37% 

1997 1.98% 3.81% 

1998 2.02% 3.77% 

1999 1.89% 3.17% 

2000 1.75% 3.43% 

Transit Systems Contractors 0.00% 

1.00% 

2.00% 

3.00% 

4.00% 

5.00% 

1996 1.42% 1.84% 

1997 1.06% 1.92% 

1998 0.93% 1.69% 

1999 0.83% 1.72% 

2000 0.77% 1.64% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Post-Accident Reasonable Suspicion 

0.00% 

1.00% 

2.00% 

3.00% 

4.00% 

1996 1.85% 2.97% 

1997 1.59% 2.94% 

1998 1.19% 2.34% 

1999 0.99% 3.15% 

2000 1.07% 3.52% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

0.00% 

6.00% 

12.00% 

18.00% 

1996 5.10% 15.70% 

1997 6.70% 15.20% 

1998 6.51% 13.90% 

1999 6.13% 18.38% 

2000 3.53% 11.90% 

Transit 

Systems Contractors 

Return-to-Duty Follow-up 

0.00% 

2.00% 

4.00% 

6.00% 

8.00% 

1996 3.69% 2.61% 

1997 2.80% 6.67% 

1998 2.45% 6.13% 

1999 3.55% 4.85% 

2000 3.08% 4.93% 

Transit Systems Contractors 0.00% 

1.00% 

2.00% 

3.00% 

4.00% 

5.00% 

1996 2.24% 4.24% 

1997 1.65% 4.05% 

1998 1.39% 4.08% 

1999 1.51% 2.75% 

2000 1.47% 3.81% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Figure 5-9. Drug Test Results by Test Type, 1996 to 2000 

2000 Annual Report 5-8 
Post-Accident Reasonable Suspicion 

0.00% 

0.10% 

0.20% 

0.30% 

0.40% 

1996 0.14% 0.14% 

1997 0.11% 0.23% 

1998 0.07% 0.32% 

1999 0.09% 0.17% 

2000 0.04% 0.00% 

Transit Systems Contractors 0.00% 

5.00% 

10.00% 

15.00% 

20.00% 

1996 6.52% 21.14% 

1997 7.65% 17.14% 

1998 7.34% 17.73% 

1999 6.27% 15.57% 

2000 6.55% 12.02% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Return-to-Duty Follow-up 

-1.00% 

1.00% 

3.00% 

5.00% 

7.00% 

1996 0.14% 0.00% 

1997 0.21% 0.00% 

1998 0.00% 6.90% 

1999 0.15% 0.00% 

2000 0.00% 0.00% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

0.00% 

0.20% 

0.40% 

0.60% 

0.80% 

1.00% 

1996 0.36% 0.98% 

1997 0.28% 0.57% 

1998 0.29% 0.00% 

1999 0.15% 0.34% 

2000 0.15% 0.19% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Random 

0.00% 

0.05% 

0.10% 

0.15% 

0.20% 

1996 0.17% 0.11% 

1997 0.15% 0.09% 

1998 0.13% 0.14% 

1999 0.10% 0.05% 

2000 0.10% 0.12% 

Transit Systems Contractors 

Figure 5-10. Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 by Test Type, 1996 to 2000 

5-9 2000 Annual Report 
Figure 5-12 compares test results by drug type from 1996 to 2000. As shown, marijuana (THC) 

was the predominant drug found in pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing. Cocaine 

was the most frequently detected drug in the reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up 

testing categories. 

0.0% 

10.0% 

20.0% 

30.0% 

40.0% 

50.0% 

60.0% 

70.0% 

THC 65.9% 56.6% 50.0% 39.0% 45.7% 39.6% 

Cocaine 30.0% 35.8% 43.3% 45.8% 48.6% 50.0% 

PCP 0.6% 0.2% 0.8% 1.7% 0.0% 0.0% 

Opiates 2.0% 2.6% 5.0% 8.5% 0.0% 2.0% 

Amphetamines 3.8% 6.9% 7.1% 6.8% 8.6% 10.4% 

PreEmployment Random PostAccident Reasonable 

Suspicion 

Return-toDuty Follow-Up 

Figure 5-11. Comparison of Verified Test Positives by Drug Type, 1996 to 2000 

5.5 Drug and Alcohol Test Positives – Regional Comparisons 

Figures 5-13 and 5-14 show random alcohol tests > 0.04 and positive random drug test by region. 

Figure 5-15 depicts the percent of positive random drug tests by region. As shown, for each of 

the 5 years, marijuana was detected most frequently in positive samples, followed by cocaine. 

Amphetamines were the third most frequently detected, although in substantially smaller 

numbers; the highest percent of amphetamine positives was in 2000 with 5.39 percent. Specific 

percentages are cited in the following tables. 

0.00% 

0.05% 

0.10% 

0.15% 

0.20% 

0.25% 

0.30% 

1996 0.13% 0.28% 0.08% 0.21% 0.18% 0.12% 0.05% 0.07% 0.09% 0.14% 

1997 0.23% 0.19% 0.17% 0.16% 0.15% 0.05% 0.10% 0.22% 0.09% 0.00% 

1998 0.10% 0.20% 0.23% 0.18% 0.15% 0.02% 0.00% 0.12% 0.04% 0.00% 

1999 0.00% 0.13% 0.09% 0.11% 0.12% 0.08% 0.00% 0.00% 0.08% 0.08% 

2000 0.17% 0.09% 0.14% 0.05% 0.18% 0.07% 0.13% 0.21% 0.04% 0.13% 

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 

10 

Figure 5-12. Random Alcohol Test Results > 0.04 by Region 

2000 Annual Report 5-10 
0.00% 

0.50% 

1.00% 

1.50% 

2.00% 

1996 1.44% 1.10% 1.47% 1.66% 1.86% 1.53% 1.18% 1.94% 1.58% 1.32% 

1997 1.04% 0.83% 1.08% 1.19% 1.69% 1.21% 1.31% 1.15% 1.43% 1.04% 

1998 0.97% 0.68% 0.92% 1.17% 1.42% 1.19% 1.13% 1.41% 1.21% 0.89% 

1999 0.96% 0.58% 0.82% 0.98% 1.26% 1.25% 0.88% 1.27% 1.23% 1.19% 

2000 0.64% 0.56% 0.88% 0.85% 1.14% 1.11% 1.06% 1.35% 1.22% 1.10% 

Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10 

Figure 5-13. Verified Positive Random Drug Tests by Region 

0 

0.1 

0.2 

0.3 

0.4 

0.5 

0.6 

0.7 

THC 56.84% 59.90% 56.20% 60.08% 60.09% 

Cocaine 40.86% 36.55% 40.18% 35.56% 34.08% 

PCP 0.57% 0.62% 0.63% 0.70% 0.47% 

Opiates 3.28% 4.08% 3.76% 2.25% 2.48% 

Amphetamines 4.15% 5.18% 3.04% 4.17% 5.39% 

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 

Figure 5-14. Percent of Verified Positive Random Drug Tests by Drug Type 

5-11 2000 Annual Report 
APPENDIX A 

GLOSSARY

A-1 2000 Annual Report 
GLOSSARY 

Accident: An occurrence associated with the operation of a vehicle, if as a result: 

(1) An individual dies;

(2) An individual suffers a bodily injury and immediately receives medical treatment away from

the scene of the accident; 

(3) With respect to an occurrence in which the mass transit vehicle involved is a bus, electric 

bus, van, or automobile, one or more vehicles incurs disabling damage as the result of the 

occurrence and is transported away from the scene by a tow truck or other vehicle; or 

(4) With respect to an occurrence in which the mass transit vehicle involved is a rail car, trolley 

car, trolley bus, or vessel, the mass transit vehicle is removed from revenue service. 

Alcohol: The intoxicating agent in beverage alcohol, ethyl alcohol, or other low molecular 

weight alcohols including methyl or isopropyl alcohol. 

Alcohol Concentration: The alcohol in a volume of breath expressed in terms of grams of 

alcohol per 210 liters of breath as indicated by a breath test. 

Alcohol Use: The consumption of any beverage, mixture or preparation, including any 

medication containing alcohol. 

Anti-Drug Program: A program to detect and deter the use of prohibited drugs as required by 

FTA regulations. 

Armed Security Personnel: Function including any person who provides security to protect 

persons or property, and any person who carries a firearm.

Canceled or Invalid Test: In drug testing, a drug test that has been declared invalid by a 

Medical Review Officer (MRO). In alcohol testing, this would be a test that is deemed to be 

invalid. It is neither a positive nor a negative test. 

CDL/Non-Revenue Vehicle: Job category including any transit employee who holds a 

Commercial Driver's License (CDL), performs a function requiring a CDL, and is not included 

in any other job category. 

Confirmation (or Confirmatory) Test: In drug testing, a second analytical procedure to 

identify the presence of a specific drug or metabolite that is independent of the screening test and 

uses a different technique and chemical principle from that of the screening test in order to 

ensure reliability and accuracy. In alcohol testing, a second test following a screening test with a 

result of 0.02 or greater that provides quantitative data of alcohol concentration. 

Consortium: An entity, including a group or association of employers, operators, recipients, 

subrecipients, or contractors, which provides drug testing services and acts on behalf of the 

employer. 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

2000 Annual Report A-2
Contractor: A person or organization that provides a service for a recipient, subrecipient, 

employer, or operator consistent with a specific understanding or arrangement. The 

understanding can be a written contract or an informal arrangement that reflects an ongoing 

relationship between the parties. 

Covered Employee: A person, including an applicant, transferee, and certain volunteers who 

perform a safety-sensitive function for a recipient, subrecipient, employer, or operator. 

DOT: Department of Transportation. 

DOT Agency: An agency (or "operating administration") of the United States Department of 

Transportation administering regulations requiring drug testing. 

Drug Metabolite: The specific substance produced when the human body metabolizes a given 

prohibited drug as it passes through the body and is excreted in urine. 

Drug Test: The laboratory analysis of a urine specimen collected in accordance with 49 CFR 

Part 40 and analyzed in a DHHS-approved laboratory. 

Education: Efforts that include the display and distribution of informational materials, a 

community service hotline telephone number for employee assistance, and the transit entity 

policy regarding drug use and alcohol misuse in the workplace. 

Employee: An individual designated in a DOT agency regulation as subject to drug testing 

and/or alcohol testing. “Employee” includes an applicant for employment. 

Employer: A recipient or other entity that provides mass transportation services or performs a 

safety-sensitive function for such recipient or other entity. This term includes subrecipients, 

operators, and contractors. 

Follow-up Test: Required of employees who have returned to duty in a safety-sensitive position 

following a positive drug test result or an alcohol test result of ≥ 0.04. A minimum of six tests 

must be performed during the first 12 months after the employee returns-to-duty. 

FTA: The Federal Transit Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Large Operator: A recipient or subrecipient primarily operating in an area of 200,000 or more 

in population. 

Medical Review Officer (MRO): A licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of 

Osteopathy) responsible for receiving laboratory results generated by an employer's drug testing 

program, who has knowledge of substance abuse disorders and has appropriate medical training 

to interpret and evaluate an individual's confirmed positive test result together with appropriate 

medical history and any other relevant biomedical information. 

A-3 2000 Annual Report 
Post-Accident Testing: Required testing for prohibited drugs and alcohol, following certain 

mass transit accidents. These accidents include those in which a death occurs, medical treatment 

away from the scene is required, or one or more of the vehicles involved incurs disabling 

damage. 

Pre-Employment Testing: Testing that is designed to identify applicants who have consumed a 

prohibited drug in the recent past. Employers are prohibited from hiring an applicant for a 

safety-sensitive function unless they have a verified negative drug test. 

Prohibited Drugs: Include marijuana (THC), cocaine, phencyclidine (PCP), opiates, and 

amphetamines. 

Rail Operators: A recipient and its contractors and subrecipients that operate rapid transit 

operations within an urban area and are not connected to the general railroad system. Rail 

vehicles include railcars, trolley cars, and trolley buses. 

Random Testing: Identifies employees who are using drugs or misusing alcohol by using an 

unpredictable and unannounced testing pattern. 

Random Testing Rate: The number of drug tests equal to at least 50 percent of the total 

number of safety-sensitive employees, and alcohol tests equal to at least 10 percent of the total 

number of safety-sensitive employees must be conducted each year by this method. 

Reasonable Suspicion Testing: Required when an employer has reasonable suspicion that an 

employee has used a prohibited drug or has misused alcohol as defined in the regulations. 

Reasonable suspicion testing must be based on specific, contemporaneous, articulable 

observations made by a trained supervisor concerning the appearance, behavior, speech, or body 

odor of a safety-sensitive employee. 

Recipient: An entity receiving federal financial assistance under Section 5307, 5309, or 5311 of 

the Federal Transit Act or under sections 103(e)(4) of Title 23 of the U.S. Code. 

Refuse to Submit (to an alcohol test): A covered employee fails to provide adequate breath for 

testing without a valid medical explanation. 

Refuse to Submit (to a drug test): A covered employee fails to provide a urine sample as 

required by 49 CFR Part 40, without a valid medical explanation, after the employee has 

received notice of the requirement to be tested or engages in conduct that clearly obstructs the 

testing process. 

Return-to-Duty Testing: Required before an employee is allowed to return to duty to perform a 

safety-sensitive function following a verified positive drug test, an alcohol result of 0.04 or 

greater, a refusal to submit to a test, or any other violation of the regulation. 

Revenue Vehicle Control/Dispatch: Job function including any person who controls the 

dispatch or movement of revenue service vehicles. 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

2000 Annual Report A-4
Revenue Vehicle Operations: Function including any person who operates or works as a 

crewman on revenue service vehicles at any time. 

Rural Operators: A subrecipient of 5311 funding primarily operating in an area of less than 

50,000 in population. 

Safety-Sensitive Function: Any of the following duties: 

• Operating a revenue service vehicle, including when not in revenue service; 

• Operating a non-revenue service vehicle, when required to be operated by a holder of a 

Commercial Driver’s License; 

• Controlling dispatch or movement of a revenue service vehicle; 

• Maintaining a revenue service vehicle or equipment used in revenue service, unless the 

recipient receives section 5311 funding and contracts out such services; and/or 

• Providing security and carrying a firearm. 

Screening Test (or Initial Test): In drug testing, an immunoassay screen to eliminate 

"negative" urine specimens from further analysis. In alcohol testing, an analytic procedure to 

determine whether an employee may have a prohibited concentration of alcohol in a breath 

specimen. 

Small Operators: A recipient or subrecipient primarily operating in an area equal to or greater 

than 50,000 and less than 200,000 in population. 

Substance Abuse Professional (SAP): A licensed physician (Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of 

Osteopathy), or a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, employee assistance 

professional, or addiction counselor (certified by the National Association of Alcoholism and 

Drug Abuse Counselors Certification Commission), with knowledge of and clinical experience 

in the diagnosis and treatment of drug and alcohol-related disorders. 

Transit System: The public entity that receives the Federal grant (direct grant recipient), 

whether or not that recipient provides mass transit services directly. 

Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance: Function including any person repairing or maintaining 

revenue service vehicles or other equipment used in revenue service. 

Verified Negative (drug test result): A drug test result reviewed by a MRO and determined to 

have no evidence of prohibited drug use. 

Verified Positive (drug test result): A drug test result reviewed by a MRO and determined to 

have evidence of prohibited drug use. 

A-5 2000 Annual Report 

APPENDIX B 

FTA REGIONS

B-1 1999 Annual Report 
The Federal Transit Administration is comprised of 10 regions, which are identified below. The 

data provided by these regions have facilitated the comparison of drug and alcohol test results 

and the identification of regional trends. 

U.S. States and Territories Reporting to the 10 FTA Regions 

Region 1 Region 2 

Connecticut New Jersey 

Maine New York 

Massachusetts Puerto Rico 

New Hampshire Virgin Islands 

Rhode Island

Vermont 

Region 6 Region 7 

Arkansas Iowa 

Louisiana Kansas 

New Mexico Missouri 

Oklahoma Nebraska 

Texas 

Region 3 

Delaware 

District of 

Columbia 

Maryland 

Pennsylvania 

Virginia 

West Virginia 

Region 8 

Colorado 

Montana 

North Dakota 

South Dakota 

Utah 

Wyoming 

Region 4 Region 5 

Alabama Illinois 

Florida Indiana 

Georgia Michigan 

Kentucky Minnesota 

Mississippi Ohio 

North Carolina Wisconsin 

South Carolina 

Tennessee

Region 9 Region 10 

American Samoa Alaska 

Arizona Idaho 

California Oregon 

Guam Washington

Hawaii 

Nevada 

Northern 

Mariana Islands 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

1999 Annual Report B-2