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State Safety Oversight (SSO) Program
The purpose of the State Safety Oversight program is to oversee safety at rail transit systems. The SSO program is administered by eligible states with rail transit systems in their jurisdiction. FTA provides federal funds through the SSO Formula Grant Program for eligible states to develop or carry out their SSO programs. Under 49 U.S.C. Section 5329(e), as amended by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), FTA is required to certify each state's program to ensure compliance with MAP-21.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation is the State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) as required by 49 CFR 674, to perform the following duties pursuant to Light Rail operations within the State of Arkansas.
- Provide oversight and technical assistance to the Rail Transit Agency (RTA).
- Ensure all FTA reporting deadlines are met.
- Evaluate effectiveness of RTA safety plan implementation.
- Participate in regular safety meetings.
- Review accident/incident investigations.
- Investigate any allegations of non-compliance with RTA safety plan.
- Perform periodic safety audits and inspections.
- Develop and implement Corrective Action Plan (CAP), if potential hazardous conditions are identified.
- Authority to implement escalation protocols in CAP is not followed or corrections addressed in a timely manner
Contact Information
Danny Chidester
Public Transportation Safety and Security Officer
Email: Danny.Chidester @ardot.gov
Phone: (501) 569-2559