1. A. Authority. The state of Louisiana re-designated the Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) as the state safety oversight agency (SSOA) for Louisiana in 2014. This enabling authority is found at Louisiana Revised Statute 48:214. The SSOA authority applies to any Rail Transit Agency (RTA) operating a RFGPTS in Louisiana. References to the RTA or RFGPTS do not apply to one specific RTA, but to any RTA operating in Louisiana.

2. B. Policies That Govern SSOA Activities.

   1. 1. The SSO program is administered by the state safety oversight program manager. The program manager is responsible for carrying out the policies enumerated in the State Safety Oversight Program Standard (SSOPS) and the specific activities and objectives provided in the Louisiana State Safety Oversight Procedures Manual (Published December 2025, Publication Number 52). The Department of Transportation and Development will make the latest edition of the Louisiana State Safety Oversight Procedures Manual available to the public on its website.
   2. 2. The SSO program is currently administered through the Office of Multimodal Commerce at the LADOTD and supported by the commissioner of Multimodal Commerce, the deputy commissioner of Multimodal Commerce, and the freight and passenger rail development statewide program manager.
   3. 3. The SSO program manager and any staff or contractors will meet the training requirements of the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program.

3. C. RTA Reporting Requirements. On or before February 15 of each year, the RTA will submit the following material in a report to the SSOA:

   1. 1. The safety plan. This should include an indication of any changes to that document during the preceding 12 months;

   2. 2. A report on all internal safety audits performed during the preceding calendar year. This report should include:

      1. a. a listing of the internal safety audits conducted the previous calendar year,
      2. b. an updated schedule for audits that will be conducted in the current three-year cycle, and
      3. c. a status of all findings, recommendations and corrective actions resulting from the audits conducted the previous calendar year;
   3. 3. A report listing all reportable safety events and unacceptable hazards identified during the previous 12-month period. This report should describe any causal factors identified through investigation. The report should also identify the status of corrective actions;
   4. 4. A certification that the RTA is in compliance with this SSOPS and any federal rules applicable to its safety plan.

4. D. SSOA and RTA Communications.

   1. 1. The SSOA will maintain on-going communications with the RTA regarding safety related aspects of the RFGPTS. To facilitate communications, the SSOA will attend monthly meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to:

      1. a. discuss the status of safety event investigations,
      2. b. open CAPs,
      3. c. identify unacceptable hazards, and
      4. d. discuss other safety related topics.
   2. 2. The SSOA will participate in safety-related training and other events.

   3. 3. The SSO will also conduct on-site inspections. The inspections may include, but not be limited to:

      1. a. reviewing and approving safety event investigation procedures and reports;
      2. b. reviewing monthly construction reports, as appropriate; and
      3. c. collecting and reviewing other data as leading indicators of safety-related events to identify mitigation measures.

NOTE: The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority is the only RTA/RFGPTS currently subject to oversight in the State of Louisiana.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 48:214; 49 C.F.R Part 674; 49 U.S.C. § 5329.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Multimodal Commerce, LR 44:922 (May 2018), amended LR 52:360 (March 2026).