Performance-based Planning and Programming—Transit Safety Targets

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The Boston Region MPO envisions a modern, well-maintained transportation system that supports a sustainable, healthy, livable, and economically vibrant region. To achieve this vision, the transportation system must be safe and resilient; incorporate emerging technologies; and provide equitable access, excellent mobility, and varied transportation options.

-Destination 2040 Vision

On March 16, 2023, the MPO board voted to adopt updated transit safety performance targets based on targets set by the MBTA, the Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA), and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA). These targets pertain to (1) the number and rate of fatalities; (2) the number and rate of injuries; (3) the number and rate of safety events; and (4) system reliability, which is measured in vehicle-revenue miles per major mechanical failure. These targets are set by mode and reflect either calendar year (CY) 2023 or state fiscal year (SFY) 2023, depending on the agency. For more information about transit safety performance requirements and these targets, please refer to the memorandum titled Transit Safety Performance Requirements and Targets—2023 Update (PDF) Transit Safety Performance Requirements and Targets—2023 Update(HTML).

MBTA CY 2023 Safety Performance Targets

MBTA Mode

Fatalities 
Target

Fatality 
Rate 
Targeta

Injuries 
Target

Injury 
Rate 
Targeta

Safety 
Events 
Target

Safety 
Event 
Rate 
Targeta

System 
Reliability 
Targetb

Heavy Rail

0.0

0.0

180.0

7.99

24.0

1.07

44,500

Light Rail

0.0

0.0

79.0

14.35

27.0

4.94

7,650

Bus

0.0

0.0

286

12.23

98.0

4.21

29,500

The RIDEc

0.0

0.0

27.0

2.27

20.0

1.74

62,500

a Fatality, injury, and safety event rates are expressed per one million VRM.  
  Rate values have been rounded to the nearest tenth. 
b The system reliability measure is expressed as mean VRM traveled per major mechanical failure. 
c The injuries target for The RIDE remains the same as past averages due to rounding. 
CY = calendar year. MBTA = Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. VRM = vehicle revenue-miles. 
Source: MBTA and the Boston Region MPO staff. 

CATA SFY 2023 Safety Performance Targets

CATA Mode

Fatalities 
Target

Fatality 
Rate 
Targeta

Injuries 
Target

Injury 
Rate 
Targeta

Safety 
Events 
Target

Safety 
Event 
Rate 
Targeta

System 
Reliability 
Targetb

Fixed-Route Bus

0.0

0.0

1.0

0.5

2.5

1.5

70,000.0

Demand Response

0.0

0.0

1.0

0.5

1.5

1.0

135,000.0

Note: Values have been rounded to the nearest tenth. 
a Fatality, injury, and safety event rates are expressed per one hundred thousand VRM. 
b The system reliability measure is expressed as mean VRM traveled per major mechanical failure. 
CATA = Cape Ann Transportation Authority. SFY = state fiscal year. VRM = vehicle revenue-miles. 
Source: CATA and the Boston Region MPO staff.

MWRTA SFY 2023 Safety Performance Targets

MWRTA Mode

Fatalities 
Target

Fatality 
Rate 
Targeta

Injuries 
Target

Injury 
Rate 
Targeta

Safety 
Events 
Target

Safety 
Event 
Rate 
Targeta

System 
Reliability 
Targetb

Fixed-Route Bus

0.00

0.00

12.00

1.0

15.0

1.25

75,000

Demand Response

0.00

0.00

8.00

1.0

10.0

1.25

75,000

Note: Values have been rounded to the nearest tenth 
a Fatality, injury, and safety event rates are expressed per one hundred thousand VRM. 
b The system reliability measure is expressed as mean VRM traveled per major mechanical failure. 
MWRTA = MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. VRM = vehicle revenue-miles. 
Source: MWRTA and the Boston Region MPO.