Federal compliance for transit - Rail transit safety oversight

​​Federal law requires each state to oversee the safety program of any qualifying rail fixed guideway public transportation system (“rail transit system”) in its jurisdiction. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is designated as the state safety oversight (SSO) agency to fulfill this federal requirement, as certified by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).​

WisDOT’s SSO responsibilities are defined by the following authorities:

• ​​WisDOT SSO Program Standard, Revision 7.0 (January 2025)
• ​​Provides information on WisDOT’s SSO authority and the various compliance requirements of each rail transit system under its jurisdiction
• ​State statute – Wisconsin Statutes
• ​Wis. Stat. § 85.066
• ​State regulation – Wisconsin Administrative Code
• ​Wis. Admin. Code Trans 10
• ​Federal statute – United States Code
• ​49 U.S.C. § 5329
• ​Federal regulation – Code of Federal Regulations
• ​49 CFR Part 674
  

As the SSO agency, WisDOT oversees rail transit safety programs at each qualifying system in Wisconsin:

1. ​Kenosha Area Transit (KAT) Streetcar
• ​Began service in June 2000
• Operated by Kenosha Area Transit
2. ​Milwaukee Streetcar System (MSS), aka “The Hop”
• ​​Began service in November 2018
• Operated by the City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works and its operations and maintenance contractors
  

All rail transit agencies are required to create and operate according to a public transportation agency safety plan (PTASP or ASP) compliant with federal and state law. WisDOT’s primary SSO duties revolve around each system’s ASP, including:

• ​Annual ASP review and approval
• ASP oversight and enforcement
• Triennial audit of each rail transit system’s ASP compliance
• Oversight of inspections and safety event investigations
  

On July 25, 2018, FTA certified that WisDOT’s SSO program meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 674, as required by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP​-21), signed into law under the Obama-Biden administration on July 6, 2012.

On December 6, 2024, FTA approved WisDOT’s development plan for its risk-based inspection (RBI) program (within the existing SSO program), as required by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)​, signed into law under the Biden-Harris administration on November 5, 2021.

More information on WisDOT’s SSO program can be accessed through the links below:

SSO Resources

• ​WisDOT SSO Program Standard, Revision 7.0 (January 2025)​
  
• ​Wis. Stat. § 85.066 – Transit safety oversight program
• Wis. Admin. Code Trans 10 – Transit safety oversight program
• 49 U.S.C. § 5329 – Public transportation safety program
• 49 CFR Part 670 – Public transportation safety program
  
• 49 CFR Part 671 – Rail transit roadway worker protection (2024)
• 49 CFR Part 672 – Public transportation safety certification training program
• 49 CFR Part 673 – Public transportation agency safety plans
• 49 CFR Part 674 – State safety oversight
• FTA’s PTASP Technical Assistance Center (PTASP-TAC)

​Other Resources

• ​American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
• American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
• City of Kenosha Streetcar
• City of Milwaukee Streetcar
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
  
• FTA – State Safety Oversight (SSO)
• FTA – Transit Safety and Oversight (TSO)
• FTA – Region 5
• ​National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
• Transit Safety Oversight Association (TSOA)
• Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) – Login required
  

Contact

Eric Stoegbauer
State Safety Oversight Manager​
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads and Harbors
(608) 267-6680
eric.stoegbauer@dot.wi.gov