RTD shares 2024 safety metrics, highlighting transparent reporting and cultural progress
RTD reported several year-over-year improvements and incident decreases in the agency’s annual safety metrics provided to the federal government. In 2024, RTD reported improvements in the number of light rail events, a decrease in commuter rail trespassers, a slight improvement in the overall number of on-the-job injuries, and adopted a Vision Zero resolution. The agency also met all of its established bus and light rail targets related to minimizing fatalities across the system, reflecting RTD’s continued commitment to the highest level of safety standards.
RTD credits enhancements that were made last year to establish a proactive safety framework, such as the Welton Street Safety Improvements project. The project added new train-related roadway signs and upgraded train warning traffic signals, or “blank-out” signs, to better warn motorists of trains approaching the intersections. Other 2024 agency safety improvements included increased employee trainings, bolstered internal and external safety communications, and strategies implemented for hazard mitigation.
“Safety is paramount and is inherent in all RTD does,” General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson said. “The agency’s commitment to operational safety ensures RTD employees are provided an optimal work environment, and customers can confidently use mobility services to reach their destination. The metrics not only highlight year-over-year improvements and successes but allow RTD staff to note areas that require additional enhancements and mitigation strategies.”
Light rail’s preventable accident rate per 100,000 miles of revenue service decreased to 0.08 in 2024. In comparison to 2023, the rate saw a year-over-year drop of 33.3% –– exceeding RTD’s target of fewer than one incident per 100,000 miles, marking a significant achievement in rail safety. RTD also utilizes a light rail simulator to help operators prepare to handle multiple situations they may experience when working in the field. All light rail operators are required to spend time in the simulator as part of RTD’s focus on safety and employee training.
On commuter rail, trespasser incidents saw a year-over-year decrease in 2024. The Federal Railroad Administration defines a trespasser as any individual who is unlawfully on or near railroad tracks. This includes individuals crossing tracks while warning lights are flashing and bells are sounding, or a person crossing at a non-designated area of the alignment. In 2023, RTD recorded 423 commuter rail trespassers, and last year saw that number decrease to 399. The decrease is being attributed to an expansion in community outreach efforts and enhanced safety messaging along the corridors. The most notable decrease was along the 23-mile A Line, which experienced a reduction of approximately 12% in trespasser incidents occurring between Denver Union Station and the Denver Airport Station.
To reduce the number of potential trespassers, RTD partnered with Operation Lifesaver to conduct outreach in communities living near commuter rail corridors. The agency hosted pop-up events at rail stations and employment centers to directly engage with customers and individuals living and working near railroad tracks. A rail safety video and other resource materials were also produced in English and Spanish to support community engagement efforts and the agency’s online safety campaign.
Like all other U.S. mass transit agencies, RTD annually reports thousands of datapoints to the National Transit Database (NTD)’s Safety and Security Module. The annual report includes a detailed breakdown of bus and light rail collisions, incidents, employee and customer injuries, and safety performance metrics based on miles traveled. RTD submits the data to comply with federal reporting requirements and to support safety improvement efforts nationwide. The data is also used by RTD to track trends, develop plans, and improve safety for its employees and customers.
In 2024, the Federal Transit Administration updated its reporting requirements for transit worker assaults. U.S. transit agencies are now required to report all physical and non-physical assaults on a transit worker, whether it occurred on a vehicle, in a transit facility, or other nearby location. The enhanced reporting for non-physical assaults now includes all threats, intimidation, and harassment of operators and other frontline transit employees.
Prior to last year’s updated requirement, RTD reported 177 physical assaults and 194 non-physical assaults of its transit workers. In 2024, physical assaults remained relatively flat at 182, but the number of non-physical assaults increased to 314. The approximately 62% year-over-year increase in non-physical assaults largely reflects the new federal reporting standards and RTD’s expanded internal efforts to encourage employees to make reports.
“While an increase in reportable events like non-physical assaults may seem negative at first glance, it actually reflects progress made to create a stronger safety culture,” Angel Peña, Deputy Chief Executive Officer said. “Employees are reporting more incidents, which indicates the effectiveness of ongoing training, open dialogue, and a trust developed between frontline staff and the agency’s safety and operations teams. This culture of transparency is precisely what we aim for, as it allows us to act earlier and prevent incidents from occurring again in the future.”
An increased presence of RTD Transit Police officers is another tactic that is positively impacting employee safety and creating a more welcoming transit environment for customers. In 2024, RTD also added bus operator shield barriers and live look-in cameras on all its buses to enhance safety and reduce the number of physical and non-physical assaults.
Vision Zero
In 2024, RTD’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution focused on eliminating transit-related fatalities and injuries. To support the resolution and its focus on safety, planning efforts were initiated to create agency-specific strategies. Vision Zero is an internationally recognized, data-driven systems approach to increase personal safety in transportation spaces. In the year ahead, RTD will continue to collaborate with city planners, community organizations, and local governments to develop and implement Vision Zero strategies and infrastructure improvements beyond the agency’s transit network.
According to the American Public Transportation Association, riding in a bus or train reduces the risk of a traffic-related injury or fatality by 90%, as compared to driving a single-occupancy vehicle. Traveling by public transit is 10 times safer per mile than driving or riding in a personal vehicle. Increased safety for a customer on a bus or train is due to professional drivers, well-maintained infrastructure, and lower crash rates. Increased transit use also leads to safer streets, as cities with higher ridership experience fewer car crashes per capita.
During RTD’s Operations, Safety, and Security Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m., staff will provide a safety performance presentation to the Board of Directors. The presentation will review the agency’s safety metrics, outline federal and state benchmarks, and share next steps for further enhancing and improving safety.