Background
BCG is a subcontractor to Savantage Solutions which provides support services for the National Transit Database (NTD). In this capacity, BCG conducts data validation for the NTD Safety and Security Module in accordance with the reporting requirements specified by the NTD Reporting Manual and the NTD Rule.
Approach
BCG reviews all safety and security incident and monthly summary reports submitted by transit systems to NTD to ensure validity based on NTD requirements and correct reporting of modes of transportation operated. Validation also includes reminders to reporting transit systems to meet deadlines for monthly reports. By developing an intimate familiarity with and a detailed understanding of NTD safety and security reporting requirements, BCG also responds to a wide variety of situations requiring technical assistance on safety and security reporting.  These requests from transit systems include inquiries on how to report incidents and whether an incident is reportable or not.  Assistance is provided to reporters through telephone and e-mail communication. Based on experience with the NTD safety and security module, communication with reporters, and clarification from FTA, BCG developed recommendations to improve the NTD safety and security reporting module. These enhancements included defining reporting requirements to advance the effectiveness of incident reporting, developing webinar training materials to assist reporters to better understand reporting requirements, developing an updated Safety and Security Reporting Manual, and suggesting revisions to the NTD safety and security reporting web site to improve understandability and provide ease of reporting.
Results
These efforts have increased the timeliness and accuracy of NTD safety and security reporting, thus providing better data than previously was available to FTA to meet its statutory requirements.