The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking candidates to serve on the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS). The application deadline is Nov. 6.
TRACS provides information, advice, and recommendations on transit safety to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and the FTA Administrator, according to the FTA, which announced that applications were being accepted in the Oct. 7 edition of the Federal Register (download below). The committee, it noted, does not exercise program management responsibilities or make decisions directly affecting the programs on which it provides advice. The Secretary may accept or reject a recommendation made by TRACS and is not bound to pursue any recommendation from TRACS.
“TRACS is comprised of a diverse panel of professionals representing a variety of stakeholders and interests to cooperatively address transit safety issues by recommending solutions based on agreed-upon facts,” the FTA explained. “The committee’s level of expertise and balanced viewpoints enable early identification of potential problem areas and accelerated corrective actions, thereby creating greater safety and public confidence in the nation’s public transportation systems.”
Appointments to the committee are for two-year terms; however, a member may reapply to serve additional terms, in the event that the TRACS Charter is renewed. TRACS meets as a full committee at least twice per year.
“Applicants should be knowledgeable of trends and issues related to rail transit and/or bus transit safety,” the FTA reported. “Along with their experience in the rail transit and/or bus transit industry, applicants will also be evaluated and selected based on factors including leadership and organizational skills, region of the country represented, diversity characteristics, and the overall balance of industry representation.”
Each application should include the applicant’s name and organizational affiliation; a cover letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and interest in serving on TRACS; a curriculum vitae or résumé of the applicant’s qualifications; and contact information including the applicant’s address, phone number, fax number, and email address. Self-application and application through nomination of others are acceptable.
The FTA said it expects to nominate up to 25 representatives for immediate TRACS membership; the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, will make the final selection decision.
