AGENDA #6a

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager

FROM:            K. Stephen Spade, Transit Director

SUBJECT:      Update on Transit Safety Activities

DATE:             December 8, 2008

PURPOSE

The purpose of this memo is to provide you with an update on safety related activities at Chapel Hill Transit.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

Chapel Hill Transit operates a fixed route bus service in the Towns of Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University of North Carolina. As part of the operation of the transit system, Chapel Hill Transit provides operator screening, training, safety training and safety and defensive driving programs

Because of the environment in which we operate, transit staff places an emphasis on strong safety and training programs.  Operations staff and management have been trained and certified by the Smith System Defensive Driving Program as part of our ongoing supervisory training. The Smith System is an internationally recognized firm providing defensive driving courses and training systems. The Smith System 5 key principles are incorporated into the Chapel Hill Transit training and also in safety programs in many transit systems throughout North Carolina and nationally.

In addition, staff holds monthly safety meetings in operations and maintenance divisions and has created safety committees to provide staff input on safety related issues.

Last year Chapel Hill Transit undertook an effort to review, analyze and improve safety programs including pedestrian related safety programs. The effort consists of:

1. An internal evaluation of Chapel Hill Transit safety policies, procedures and training.
2. An examination of physical factors such as street design, bus stop location and design that might provide a safer environment for passengers.

During 2008, Chapel Hill Transit has been involved in the following activities:

1. Meetings were held with transit operating staff to identify challenges and opportunities with pedestrian safety. The staff has developed strategies to implement employee suggestions including relocation of bus stops and requests for crossing guards on the UNC campus
2. Staff began a review of internal processes to seek opportunities to improve safety, training and system evaluation. 
3. Chapel Hill Transit contracted with McDonald Transit Associates (a national transit management and consulting firm) to assist in several efforts.
1. Conduct a system safety audit to be completed in the 4^th quarter of 2008.
2. Provide a training class for employees entitled “Pedestrian Friendly Transit”.  The training took place on December 2, 3 & 4.  All Chapel Hill Transit operators were required to attend.  Drivers from the UNC Point to Point shuttle system also participated.
3. Provided a Pedestrian Friendly Transit “train the trainer” class to all Chapel Hill, UNC and DATA safety and supervisory personnel allowing the course to be incorporated into ongoing training programs.
4. Monthly safety meetings have specific training modules to encourage improved defensive driving on the part of drivers.

NEXT STEPS

Below are the next steps currently planned:

• Staff will complete the internal review of Chapel Hill Transit’s safety training and accident evaluation process in early 2009.
• McDonald Transit will complete the external safety audit in early 2009.
• Staff will review and implement safety training and evaluation process changes recommended by our internal review and the external audit in 2009.

The most recent incident has heightened awareness throughout the community. We are anticipating more discussions about the opportunities for cooperative efforts to improve pedestrian safety awareness throughout the community. Chapel Hill Transit staff will participate in and support those discussions.