Help Shape the Future of APTA’s Public Transit Sustainability Guidelines

Sustainability is an integral piece in innovating public transit to reflect modern needs. Covering issues related to emissions, energy, and land use, APTA’s Transit Sustainability Guidelines provide a benchmark for recommended practices among various aspects of public transportation. APTA’s Sustainability Standards Working Group is revising the document, which was last updated in 2011. 

The guidelines provide a framework for addressing five sustainability indicators for the transit industry:

• Smart land use and livable neighborhoods 
• Material and construction 
• Energy and resource efficiency 
• Ambient environment and health 
• Emission/pollution control  

For each indicator, the guidelines provide recommended practices, categorized under four transit elements—system routes, infrastructure and facilities, rolling stock/fleet, and operations and maintenance. 

As the Sustainability Standards Working Group begins revising the guidelines, the group is seeking input from industry peers to better understand different viewpoints and to involve others in the decision-making process. 

To provide information about sustainability industry practices at your transit agency, take our 15-minute survey. Submissions will be open until June 17. 

If you are interested in participating in future virtual working group meetings or have additional questions, contact Tytus Suchotinunt, program manager, standards, at tsuchotinunt@apta.com.