Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 70 - TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT › Part IX - Intermodal Transportation › Subpart A - Intermodal › Chapter 15 - State Safety Oversight for Rail Fixed Guideway Public Transportation Systems › Section IX-1509 - Oversight of RTA Safety Plans and Internal Safety Reviews

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A. RTA Safety Plan Review. The RTA is
				  required to develop and submit a safety plan to the SSOA for its review and
				  written approval. The safety plan must be compliant with the SSOPS, any federal
				  rules (i.e.,  49 C.F.R. Part 673  and
				  49 U.S.C.
				  5329(d)) specifically
				  addressing RTA safety plans, any specific guidance found in the SSOA procedures
				  manual, and other guidance provided through FTAs national public transportation
				  safety plan. The SSOA may require changes to safety plan based on changes in
				  federal or state requirements, audit results, inspections, investigations, or
				  findings based on safety data analysis. After written notification from the
				  SSOA for safety plan modifications, the RTA and SSOA will determine a
				  reasonable timeline for completing the revision(s). The RTA must assess its
				  safety plan annually and revise it as needed to reflect changes in the
				  organization, procedures, equipment, facilities, and operating environment. The
				  RTA must submit any revisions to the SSOA to ensure compliance with the SSOPS.
				  The SSOA will complete a compliance review of the safety plan within 30
				  calendar days of receipt, or notify the RTA if additional time is needed. If
				  the RTA safety plan complies with the SSOPS and other guidance as necessary,
				  the SSOA will issue a written approval of the safety plan (along with
				  appropriate checklists) and request that the RTA send a final copy of the
				  safety plan with appropriate signatures and other endorsements as required. The
				  safety plan and any revisions to the safety plan must be approved by the RTA
				  Board of Commissioners and signed by a designee of the RTA Board of
				  Commissioners. The approved RTA safety plan remains in effect until another
				  such safety plan or revisions to the existing safety plan is/are submitted and
				  approved in accordance with this SSOPS. If the SSOA determines that the
				  submitted safety plan does not meet the requirements of the SSOPS or other
				  appropriate guidance, a written rejection of the safety plan will be sent to
				  the RTA along with a description (comments and appropriate checklists) of
				  necessary changes to gain approval. The RTA will make such changes in an
				  expeditious manner, unless otherwise specified in the rejection letter. The RTA
				  may request a meeting with the SSOA to discuss the safety plan review comments.
				  In the event the RTA objects to a noted deficiency or requested change from the
				  SSOA, a written notice of the objections and suggested alternatives will be
				  provided to the SSOA within 30 days. Both the SSOA and the RTA must agree on an
				  appropriate course of action or the SSOA will follow the escalation
				  procedures.
B. RTA Internal
				  Reviews. The RTA must develop and document a process for the performance of
				  on-going internal safety audits that assess the elements and implementation of
				  the RTA safety plan. Each element of the safety plan must be audited at least
				  once during a three-year cycle. The audit process must at a minimum; describe a
				  process used by the RTA to determine if all identified elements of the safety
				  plan are performing as intended; determine if areas of non-compliance and
				  hazards are being identified in a timely manner; ensure that all elements are
				  being reviewed in an on-going manner and over a three-year cycle; and, ensure
				  that no unit leads its own internal audit. The RTA will notify the SSOA in
				  writing at least 30 days prior to any internal audit and will provide audit
				  checklists, procedures, and other documents as necessary. The RTA will
				  coordinate any comments on the checklists and schedule with the SSOA. On or
				  before February 15th of each year, the RTA will submit a report detailing all
				  internal safety audits performed during the preceding calendar year. The
				  report, signed by the RTA accountable executive, must contain at a minimum; a
				  listing of the internal safety audits conducted the previous calendar year; an
				  updated schedule for audits that will be conducted in the current three-year
				  cycle; a status of all findings; and, recommendations and corrective actions
				  resulting from the audits conducted the previous calendar year. The SSOA will
				  review and approve the internal audit report submitted by the RTA prior to
				  submission to the FTA each year on or before March 15th.
AUTHORITY
					 NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with
					 R.S.
					 48:214;  49 C.F.R Part 674 ;
					 49 U.S.C. §
												5329.