Reinforcing the Human Infrastructure of our Nation’s Transportation System

In April 2024, the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced $2.4 billion in funding for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) program. This initiative, part of the $1 trillion Biden administration infrastructure bill, primarily aims to rebuild the physical transportation infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and rails. However, an equally important yet often overlooked aspect of our nation’s transportation system is the human infrastructure. A recent panel of renowned researchers, practitioners, and national transportation safety experts outlined a compelling approach for rebuilding this critical human infrastructure, emphasizing mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety. The neglect of this human infrastructure has significant repercussions on safety, security, and economic viability.

The panel, held in November 2023, discussed how toxic work environments and emotional contagion can influence stress, health, and well-being in the workplace, as well impact transportation accidents and industrial safety. Six key themes emerged from their discussions: mindfulness, emotional intelligence, emotional contagion, toxic work environments, psychological safety, and mindfulness-based interventions.

Key recommendations for policymakers include promoting peer-to-peer influencing skills, emotional intelligence training, mindfulness practices, psychologically safe onboarding, team building, and continuous learning that integrates these core training and practices into the fabric of the organization. The integration of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and psychological safety into safety management systems is essential for enhancing employee well-being and public safety.

The benefits of this approach extend far beyond safety, offering transformative impacts on communities, industries, and society. The panel’s innovative, evidence-based recommendations provide potential solutions for strengthening transportation safety culture. Systematic reviews and rigorous evaluations will be needed to demonstrate real-world impacts.