Unfinished Business: The Importance of Human Resources to National Transit Asset Management Program Development and Transit Safety Performance

Abstract:

The Congress and this Administration’s focus on the establishment of a national transit asset management program (estimated to have an $85.9 billion state-of-good-repair backlog) and a first-time comprehensive safety performance program (including recognition of the inherent link between the two) is critical to the safety and performance of our public transportation systems. While that focus is a major move forward, this paper proposes the existence of unfinished business representing a remaining missing link that requires immediate attention: the people who operate, maintain, and build our transportation systems.

Publications:

Authors:

Beverly A. Scott, PhD, is a Mineta Transportation Institute Research Associate and CEO, Beverly Scott Associates, LLC. Dr. Scott’s career in the public transportation industry spans more than three decades, including four appointments as General Manager/CEO – General Manager, Massachusetts Bay Transportation and Rail & Transit Administrator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), the Sacramento Regional Transit Authority (SRTD), and the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA), one of four statewide public transit systems. She has also served in senior level positions at New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT), the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA), Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), and the Houston Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Houston METRO).

Dr. Scott is recognized throughout the U.S. and North American transportation industry for her visionary leadership, results driven management style; focus on people and communities; and progressive approach to labor management relations. Among hermost notable industry contributions is her pivotal leadership role in the critical areas of workforce and leadership development and work to improve outcomes for people and communities – particularly our most vulnerable.

Published:

November 2016

Keywords:

Public transit

Human resources