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Right of Way (ROW) Safety

Two personnel in personal protective equipment (PPE) perform rail work at Cabot Yard

The MBTA Right of Way (ROW) consists of all tracks where our trains and authorized rail equipment operate, including ten feet from the center of track in any direction. The ROW also includes sidings and yards, where trains and construction equipment are stored.

Anyone who needs to access the ROW is required to take training comprised of an online pre-requisite course and an 8-hour in-person class, divided into a classroom lecture and a practical component, in order to receive a ROW Certification Card with a RAC sticker. This includes all employees, contractors, and anyone else who is requesting ROW access for any reason.  

All requirements for ROW certification page can be found on the ROW Safety Training page.  

FTA Safety Management Inspection Response

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FTA Special Directive 22-04

During their Safety Management Inspection (SMI), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) issued Special Directive (SD) 22-04, which included findings and required actions related to safety on the ROW.

Read SD 22-04: ROW Safety

Corrective Action Plans (CAPs)

Pie chart showing the MBTA has submitted 91% of action items in Corrective Action Plans addressing FTA Special Directive 22-04. 50 submissions accepted by the FTA, 13 under FTA review, 6 not yet submitted. Below the pie chart, a horizontal bar chart shows we are 79% through the completion timeline ending in 2025.
Data in this SD 22-04 CAP progress graphic are current as of September 20, 2024.

The MBTA developed CAPs to address deficiencies in PPE and ROW safety, correct defective track conditions, and address management practices that impact track repair. CAPs are made up of action items at different stages of progress:

  • Not yet submitted: The action item has not been completed.
  • Under FTA review: The MBTA completed the action item and submitted documentation to the FTA. The FTA is reviewing the MBTA's submission.
  • Resubmissions in progress: The MBTA completed the action item and submitted documentation to the FTA. The FTA requested additional information from the MBTA.
  • Submissions accepted by the FTA: The MBTA completed the action item and submitted documentation to the FTA. The FTA accepted the MBTA’s submission.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

CAPStatus
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 1 issued a new, consistent PPE policy and began distributing new equipment to employees.Status Complete
Read the FTA's closure letter (September 8, 2023)
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 2 develops new PPE compliance inspection forms.Status In progress

Tufts Curve and Speed Restrictions

CAPStatus
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 3 completed the necessary repairs to clear the speed restriction at the Tufts Curve located between Tufts Medical Center and Back Bay stations.Status Complete
Read the FTA’s closure letter (July 17, 2023)
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 8 creates a work plan focused on reducing the percentage of track under restriction across the heavy rail system.Status In progress

Maintenance of Way (MOW)

CAPStatus
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 4 implements improvements to ROW access procedures to increase the available time period for track repairs to be performed and improve efficiency of on-track time.Status In progress
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 5 ensures that the MOW department has the staff, materials, contracts, equipment, and budget to sustainably maintain the MBTA ROW.Status

Complete 

  Read the FTA’s closure letter (December 22, 2023) 

CAP SD 22-04 CAP 6 accelerates the implementation of the MBTA's Enterprise Asset Management system.Status In progress
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 7 creates digital tools to increase executive management’s understanding of the quantity and severity of track defects.Status

Complete 

  Read the FTA’s closure letter (February 9, 2024)

Green Line Work Trains

CAPStatus
CAP SD 22-04 CAP 9 restored Green Line work trains to working order.Status Complete
Read the FTA’s closure letter (March 3, 2023)

Speed Restrictions

View the Speed Restrictions dashboard

Immediate Action Letters

Learn how we’re responding

MBTA Careers

Learn about careers at the MBTA

FTA Safety Management Inspection Response

Follow our progress

Speed Restrictions

View the Speed Restrictions dashboard

Immediate Action Letters

Learn how we’re responding

MBTA Careers

Learn about careers at the MBTA