APTA Honors Rail Safety, Security Winners at Rail Conference
The awards celebrate the commitment and efforts of public transit agencies and their employees who are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of passengers, employees, and the communities they serve.
Nominations are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability. The top honor is the Gold Award, which is presented to organizations with the best example of a safety, security, or emergency management program.
Photo: APTA
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored six public transportation providers from California, Georgia, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., with the 2024 Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Awards.
“These awards celebrate the commitment and efforts of public transit agencies and their employees who are dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of passengers, employees, and the communities they serve every single day,” said APTA President/CEO Paul P. Skoutelas. “I extend my congratulations to the public transit agencies recognized today for their outstanding accomplishments in safety, security, and emergency management. They serve as shining examples within the industry, inspiring others to strive for excellence.”
Rail Safety, Security, and Emergency Management
Nominations are evaluated on four criteria: effectiveness, benefit level, innovation, and transferability. The top honor is the Gold Award, which is presented to organizations with the best example of a safety, security, or emergency management program.
A Certificate of Merit is given to organizations in recognition of exceptional achievement in safety, security, or emergency management.
The 2024 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Award winners are awarded in categories of Commuter/Intercity Rail, Light Rail/Streetcar, and Heavy Rail. The 2024 winners are:
RAIL SAFETY AWARD
Gold Winners
MTA Metro-North Railroad, New York – Commuter/Intercity Rail
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Washington, D.C. – Heavy Rail
Certificate of Merit Winners
MTA Long Island Railroad, New York – Commuter/Intercity Rail
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), Los Angeles – Commuter/Intercity Rail
RAIL SECURITY AWARD
Gold Winners
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), Philadelphia – Heavy Rail
TriMet, Portland, Ore. – Light Rail/Streetcar
Certificate of Merit Winner
MTA New York City Transit, New York – Heavy Rail
SCRRA – Commuter/Intercity Rail
RAIL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARD
Gold Winners
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Atlanta – Heavy Rail
MTA Metro-North Railroad – Commuter/Intercity Rail
Certificate of Merit Winner
SCRRA – Commuter/Intercity Rail
More Rail
Trinity Metro Breaks Ground on $270M TEXRail Extension
The 2.1-mile extension will connect Fort Worth’s Medical District and Near Southside to downtown, surrounding communities, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Read More →
Bringing Austin’s First Light Rail System to Life
Austin Transit Partnership CEO Greg Canally discusses the city's nearly 10-mile light rail project, its collaborative approach to project delivery, the importance of community engagement, and the milestones ahead as construction approaches in 2027.
Read More →
Metra Draft Plan Outlines Costs, Service Improvements for Regional Rail
The Systemwide Network Plan identifies infrastructure needs and potential investments to expand all-day, bidirectional rail service across the Chicago region.
Read More →
Amtrak Completes First Street Tunnel Upgrades, Restores Service
The nine-day construction project included replacing aging track infrastructure and modernizing switch systems near Washington Union Station.
Read More →
FRA Announces $2.3B for Passenger, Freight Rail Projects Nationwide
The CRISI Grant Program funding will support rail infrastructure improvements, safety upgrades, and projects aimed at improving freight and passenger rail service across 45 states and Washington, D.C.
Read More →
Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth
The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.
Read More →
FTA Advances $164M Broward County Commuter Rail Project
The proposed 10.5-mile commuter rail extension would connect Fort Lauderdale and Aventura, expanding passenger rail options in South Florida.
Read More →
New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project
Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project
The 6.7-mile line will add 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, expand access to jobs and regional transit connections, and support Metro’s broader efforts to improve mobility as rail ridership grows.
Read More →
CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail
Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.
Read More →