A robust safety culture enhances an entire system

Omnitrans has been focused on enhancing the safety and security of both its daily operations and emergency readiness and has recently been recognized for these efforts. 

The agency’s initiatives touch on almost every aspect of the system, from providing improvements to coach operator training and implementing new safety features on buses, to creating an emergency response communications system and piloting automated collision avoidance technology. These proactive initiatives provide increased safety and security to employees, passengers and pedestrians alike.  

But in order to create a strong safety culture, Omnitrans doesn’t stop at introducing more programs and initiatives. The agency works to develop a safety culture beyond technology with constant and consistent communication and by rewarding those who achieve safety milestones. Thanks to these efforts, the agency sees reduced preventable accidents and, in turn, reduced costs. According to the American Public Transportation Agency (APTA), Omnitrans now averages approximately nine million revenue miles annually with about 121,000 miles between preventable accidents. 

Award-winning safety and security programs 

This past spring, Omnitrans was awarded APTA’s 2019 Bus Safety and Security Excellence Awards for developing an amateur radio service and implementing several technology-driven programs that enhanced its safety culture.  

Omnitrans’ service area is in a region prone to earthquakes, wildfires and flash flooding, and it noted a possible lack of communication with first responders during an emergency if the cell towers and land lines were to go down. The agency developed the Inland Valley Emergency Communications Service (IVECS) to ensure the constant ability to communicate with first responders. IVECS is an amateur (ham) radio service which has grown from eight members in 2015 to 22 members in 2019.  

IVECS members, which include community entities such as cities, local police departments, school districts, hospitals and public transit agencies, gather for a weekly net exercise on Thursday mornings to test the networks capabilities. This also gives members a chance to share news and updates, and to be trained on how to operate the network as the position of the net control station operator rotates monthly. 

In addition to the weekly net exercise, IVECS members, along with Omnitrans, participate in the regional annual Great ShakeOut, an earthquake drill that’s held on Oct. 17. While IVECS hasn’t been used during a real emergency, it has been tested during this event. 

Omnitrans is also focused on enhancing the safety and security of day-to-day operations for employees, passengers and pedestrians. To do this, the agency has applied improvements to a variety of technology, equipment and training programs.   

For instance, the agency has been adding audible turn signals to all its buses since 2015. The audible turn signals alert pedestrians in close proximity when the bus is turning by announcing in English and Spanish “caution, bus is turning.” A second feature was later installed for an added safety measure. This is a light to warn pedestrians wearing earbuds or who have a hearing disability. When the bus makes a turn, a strobe flashes in conjunction with the announcement.  

Director of Operations Shawn Brophy says improvements have also been made to the mobility securement systems on all buses for passengers with disabilities. Omnitrans upgraded to the Q-Pod three-belt ratcheting securement system and a rear-facing securement station. The securement system prohibits tipping by tightening the mobility device to the side wall. Passengers can access the rear-facing station by backing into a padded backrest, setting the brake or powering off the device and lowering a restraining bar. A belt can then be attached to the bar to prevent rolling.  

“Efforts to safeguard our customers and our employees is integral to the Omnitrans mission,” said Deputy General Manager Erin Rogers. “A strong safety culture gives our customers confidence in the system so they will continue to use transit in their daily lives.” 

Omnitrans is also piloting automated collision avoidance technology.  

“We are currently testing the Mobileye Advanced Driver Assistance System which provides driver protection to help avoid accidents via early warning device,” said Director of Maintenance Connie Raya. “The system can detect movements in blind spots that may be missed by a coach operator trying to scan all the various hazards.” 

The agency will likely go through a competitive procurement process next year to implement the system for the entire fleet. 

Safety programs in place also target coach operator trainees. In 2014, the agency acquired a bus simulator through a Workforce Development grant and a partnership with the Leonard Transportation Center at California State University, San Bernardino.  

Trainees test their skills as the simulator mimics different driving hazards and potentially dangerous situations. Typically, between 60 and 70 coach operators will train on the simulator annually and it is primarily used to teach and reinforce “good driving habits such as checking mirrors, proper braking, using turn signals, lane control [and] scanning for road hazards,” according to Rogers.  

Additionally, Brophy says Omnitrans “streamlines the process” to receive a commercial driver’s license by employing two DMV-certified examiners as fleet safety trainers.  

Omnitrans has also introduced “Stop the Bleed” and “Active Shooter” training. Bleeding control stations and AEDs were purchased for all the agency’s facilities. This past year Brophy says an AED was used when an employee lost consciousness and believes it’s what kept him alive while the paramedics responded.  

How enhancements are benefitting the system 

“A safe and secure workforce makes Omnitrans a stronger organization,” Rogers said. “As a side benefit, safety improvements may generate cost savings for the agency through reduced insurance rates and claims, lower employee absences and fewer maintenance expenses.” 

One example is the upgraded mobility device securement system. Since using the new equipment, no tipping accidents have occurred, according to Brophy.  

“In one prior instance, the agency incurred a $1 million claim due to such an incident involving a customer in a wheelchair,” he said.  

The other various improvements to the safety and security programs have “contributed to a 32 percent reduction in preventable accidents since 2012,” Brophy added.  

The accidents have reduced from 1.15 per 100,000 miles in 2013 to .80 per 100,000 miles in 2018. Brophy explains this allows the agency to avoid costs such as accident or injury claims and fleet repairs.  

Developing a safety culture beyond technology  

Beyond new technology and equipment or new programs, Omnitrans’ focus on safety extends throughout the entire organization by creating an internal safety culture with high safety standards and a reward structure for those who meet or exceed them. “Creating a strong safety culture takes a lot of hard work and persistence,” Brophy said. “Rule enforcement, discipline, ongoing communication and re-training all play a role in reducing accidents and promoting safer driving habits.” 

To maintain this safety culture throughout the entire agency, Omnitrans assigns a designated safety coordinator to each department. This person conducts monthly walk-through inspections and identifies and reports unsafe conditions.  

The Operations Department highlights a safety topic each month to keep coach operators engaged. Recently, the department developed a “Be Aware, Move with Care” back-to-school campaign and created buttons, posters and banners with the message.  

Along with the monthly safety topics, the Safety and Security team publishes a monthly Safety and Security Newsletter and creates bulletin board postings. There is also recurring training provided for CPR, first aid and AED. 

To reward employees for adhering to its standards, the agency celebrates safety milestones. For instance, drivers who log 25,000 hours with no preventable accidents achieve the Million Mile status. They’re rewarded with a presentation ceremony at a board of directors meeting. And they also receive recognition in the newsletters and on the website.   

“Each inductee receives a special plaque, jacket, hat, belt buckle, certificate, a silver name plate, a day off with pay and $500 in recognition of their great feat,” Brophy explained. “The Two Million Mile drivers also receive a five-day cruise to Mexico, including paid time off.” 

Safety and security improvements to come 

Omnitrans continues to build upon its safety and security programs and initiatives. The agency, like others, is working to develop its Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) as required by the Federal Transit Administration. 

Since Safety Management Systems (SMS) are the foundation of a PTASP, the agency is providing SMS training to all its frontline and key staff employees to help them have a better understanding of the concepts and procedures, Brophy says.  

Additionally, Omnitrans is testing out new onboard software systems. 

“[The] onboard collision avoidance software systems [are] designed to help avoid accidents via early warning devices,” Brophy said. “These systems are specifically designed to keep employees, pedestrians and other motorists safe, as coaches drive designated routes in our service area.” 

Creating and maintaining a safety culture 

Agencies wanting to instill a safety culture should first focus on internal efforts to get everyone engaged and invested in setting and achieving higher safety standards. And they should also make time to recognize those achievements.  

“A key to our success is delivering consistent and constant messaging without being monotonous,” Brophy said. “Finding time to celebrate and recognize positive behavior and agency achievements in safety and security is essential.” 

When it’s time to implement new technology or upgrade equipment, Brophy recommends looking for grants related to safety and to start by rolling out the improvements with new vehicle purchases if it’s not possible to implement them on the entire fleet at once.  

And while it’s necessary to focus on the day-to-day operations of the system, it’s important to prepare for natural disasters and emergencies.  

“Emergency communication and emergency preparedness are significant hurdles to a transit agency and their surrounding communities during and after disasters,” Brophy said. “Therefore, the Inland Valley Emergency Communication Services Program, Stop the Bleed and Active Shooter Training can easily be duplicated by fellow transit agencies partnering with existing contacts and local non-profit resources.”