APTA will recognize the outstanding work of the men and women in the rail industry with the creation of its new Rail Safety & Security Excellence Awards. The APTA Executive Committee approved the awards program at its meeting during the APTA Annual Meeting in Seattle.

This new program is similar to the longstanding awards program for bus transportation members to recognize excellence in safety and security. It was developed over the last two years in collaboration with the APTA Rail Safety Committee, Awards Committee, Rail Transit CEOs Subcommittee, and Commuter Rail CEOs Subcommittee.

The awards will recognize passenger rail transportation providers for the first time and, more importantly, provide a platform for benchmarking successful programs as industry-leading effective practices. Many other APTA members will have the opportunity to base their own initiatives in support of safety and security objectives on these award-winning programs.

“The Rail Safety & Security Awards are a significant addition to our recognition programs,” said APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy. “It is important that we recognize the work of our rail professionals in making our systems safe and secure.”

Rail transportation systems that operate commuter/intercity service, light rail/streetcar, and/or heavy rail operations are encouraged to submit a nomination describing their innovative or effective program or project and the benefits derived from it.

More information on the awards program, and instructions on how to apply, are available here. Nominations are due no later than close of business March 15, 2013.

APTA members are reminded that March 15, 2013, is also the nomination deadline for the Bus Safety & Security Excellence Awards. More information on these awards, including past winning submissions, can be found here.