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State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program

Safety officers attend demonstration at Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore

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

What's New

2025 FTA Joint SSO and RTA Workshop

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

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

Registration closed April 15. Participants can view the workshop agenda on the registration website and the workshop presentations here.

State Safety Oversight Final Rule Updates

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 These updates implement new requirements of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, remove outdated references, clarify existing requirements and simplify notification requirements.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

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

Rail Transit Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) Final Rule 

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

Resources

 Webinars

Risk-Based Inspection Programs

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

SSO Certification

State Safety Oversight Final Rule

SSO Formula Grant Program

Advisories and Technical Assistance

Last updated: Tuesday, May 6, 2025