Difference between revisions of "National Transit Database"

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== Introduction ==
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[[Image:FTA-logo.png|right|thumb|412px|The National Transit Database is a program for reporting system information to the FTA.]]
The '''National Transit Database (NTD)''' is a Federal reporting structure for transit agencies receiving Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding<ref>National Transit Database. http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/ntd.htm Accessed 16:23 December 7, 2013</ref>. It serves as a primary  repository on all transit related data and statistics in the United States. The performance data from the NTD is used annually to allocate FTA funds to agencies as well as report on public transit performance to Congress and other interests. The NTD is legislated under [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2011-title49/USCODE-2011-title49-subtitleIII-chap53-sec5335/content-detail.html Title 49 U.S.C. 5335(a)].
 
  
== Requirements ==
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==Introduction==
Agencies receiving Federal funding under FTA programs 5307 (Urbanized Area Formula) and 5311 (Rural Area Formula) must submit data to the NTD. There are many forms which cover most statistical aspects of operating transit service, such as agency characteristics, inventory of rolling stock, level of service and patronage, and system finances. Data must be submitted through the NTD Program online portal and format requirements are strict to ensure quality of data.  
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Formed in 1974, the [https://www.transit.dot.gov/ntd National Transit Database (NTD)] is a federal reporting program for transit agencies receiving [[Federal Transit Administration | Federal Transit Administration (FTA)]] funding<ref name="ntdmanual">[https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/2017%20NTD%20Policy%20Manual.pdf Office of Budget and Policy. (2017). "National Transit Database Policy Manual."]</ref>. It serves as a primary repository for all transit-related data and statistics in the United States. The performance data from the NTD is used to allocate FTA funding and to report on public transit performance to Congress and researchers. Transit agency data is publicly available on the [https://www.transit.dot.gov/ntd NTD website]. The NTD is legislated under [http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/USCODE-2011-title49/USCODE-2011-title49-subtitleIII-chap53-sec5335/content-detail.html Title 49 U.S.C. 5335(a)].  
  
=== Waivers ===
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==Requirements==
Small transit systems can apply for a '''Small Systems Waiver'''. Eligible systems must operate fewer than 30 vehicles including fixed-route and paratransit (either directly or by contract), and can have no fixed-guideway service. Agencies granted this waiver must still report to the NTD but may have reduced requirements. While the waiver does not affect funding eligibility, it may affect funding allocation because passenger miles are not reported <ref>National Transit Database. http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/pubs/SmallSystems/2013/pdf/SSW1-Introduction.pdf 2013. Accessed 16:43 on December 7, 2013</ref>.
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Agencies receiving Federal funding under FTA programs 5307 (Urbanized Area Formula) and 5311 (Rural Area Formula) must submit data to the NTD<ref name="ntdmanual" />. These data include most statistical aspects of operating transit service, such as agency characteristics, inventory of rolling stock, ridership, financials, and safety information<ref>[http://www.apta.com/members/memberprogramsandservices/international/Documents/U.S.%20National%20Transit%20Database.pdf Giorgis, J. D. "National Transit Database - NTD."]</ref>. Data must be submitted through the NTD Program online portal and format requirements are strict to ensure quality of data. Failure to report will lead to an agency being disqualified from further funding.
  
Other waivers are available:
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The four main types of data required by the NTD cover financial information, service, safety, assets, and federal funding.
* '''Natural Disaster Hold Harmless Adjustment''': for decreased service as a result of a natural disaster
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* '''Financial data''' - This section of the NTD records revenues and expenses (operational and capital). Expenses are broken down by funding type: directly generated (e.g. passenger fares), local, state, and federal.
* '''Data, Report or Passenger Miles Traveled Sampling Waivers''': rarely issued specific waivers. Sometimes granted to agencies in their first year or which have suffered a major disaster.
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* '''Service data''' - The NTD collects service provided (revenue service, vehicle miles, route miles) and actual service consumed (unlinked passenger trips, passenger miles traveled). Agencies must also report peak service.
* '''Special Request – Strikes''': for agencies suffering negative effects of labor strikes
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* '''Safety data''' - Agencies are required to report fatalities, injuries needing medical assistance, and significant property damage.
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* '''Asset and resource data''' - All resource data must be reported, including vehicles, maintenance, fuel, buildings, and employees.
  
== Training ==
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===Waivers===
New administrators of public transit systems may be unfamiliar with collecting and managing data appropriately to meet the requirements of the NTD program. The National Transit Institute regularly offers [http://ntionline.com/courses/courseinfo.php?id=7 introductory courses on NTD reporting]. The training is provided free for employees of public transit agencies receiving Federal funds. The course is available for a fee for transit consultants and others wishing to become familiar with public transit related topics.
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The FTA maintains different reporting requirements for different kinds of agencies. In particular, small transit systems can apply for a Small Systems Waiver to receive reduced reporting requirements<ref>[https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/SSW_Manual.pdf Office of Budget and Policy (2013). "Small Systems Waiver Reporting Manual."]</ref>. Eligible systems must operate, directly or by contract, fewer than 30 vehicles (including fixed-route and paratransit), and can have no fixed-guideway service. While the waiver does not affect funding eligibility, it may affect funding allocation because passenger miles are not reported.
  
== Sources ==
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Other waivers available include:
 +
* '''Natural Disaster Hold Harmless Adjustment''' - This waiver accounts for decreased service prompted by a natural disaster
 +
* '''Data, Report or Passenger Miles Traveled Sampling Waivers''' - Theses situationally specific waivers are rarely granted, but can be used in an agency's first year or if data collection is hampered by natural disaster.
 +
* '''Special Request – Strikes''' - Agencies can receive waivers if labor strikes impede service.
 +
 
 +
==Training==
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New administrators of public transit systems may not know how to properly collect and manage data to meet NTD requirements. The National Transit Institute regularly offers [http://www.ntionline.com/national-transit-database-urban-reporting/ introductory courses on NTD reporting]. The training is provided free for employees of public transit agencies receiving federal funds.  The course is available for a fee for transit consultants and others wishing to become familiar with the process.
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===Using NTD Data===
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[[TransitCenter]] published a video describing how to download data from the NTD.<ref>[http://transitcenter.org/2017/02/13/fun-with-the-national-transit-database/ TransitCenter. "Fun with the National Transit Database". The Connection (2017).]</ref>
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==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
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==Additional Reading==
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[https://www.transit.dot.gov/ntd National Transit Database]
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[https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/2017%20NTD%20Policy%20Manual.pdf Office of Budget and Policy. (2017). "National Transit Database Policy Manual."]
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: Updated yearly, the official NTD policy manual explains the program and outlines reporting requirements.
  
 
[[Category:Managing transit]]
 
[[Category:Managing transit]]

Latest revision as of 21:26, 17 March 2017

The National Transit Database is a program for reporting system information to the FTA.

Introduction

Formed in 1974, the National Transit Database (NTD) is a federal reporting program for transit agencies receiving Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding[1]. It serves as a primary repository for all transit-related data and statistics in the United States. The performance data from the NTD is used to allocate FTA funding and to report on public transit performance to Congress and researchers. Transit agency data is publicly available on the NTD website. The NTD is legislated under Title 49 U.S.C. 5335(a).

Requirements

Agencies receiving Federal funding under FTA programs 5307 (Urbanized Area Formula) and 5311 (Rural Area Formula) must submit data to the NTD[1]. These data include most statistical aspects of operating transit service, such as agency characteristics, inventory of rolling stock, ridership, financials, and safety information[2]. Data must be submitted through the NTD Program online portal and format requirements are strict to ensure quality of data. Failure to report will lead to an agency being disqualified from further funding.

The four main types of data required by the NTD cover financial information, service, safety, assets, and federal funding.

  • Financial data - This section of the NTD records revenues and expenses (operational and capital). Expenses are broken down by funding type: directly generated (e.g. passenger fares), local, state, and federal.
  • Service data - The NTD collects service provided (revenue service, vehicle miles, route miles) and actual service consumed (unlinked passenger trips, passenger miles traveled). Agencies must also report peak service.
  • Safety data - Agencies are required to report fatalities, injuries needing medical assistance, and significant property damage.
  • Asset and resource data - All resource data must be reported, including vehicles, maintenance, fuel, buildings, and employees.

Waivers

The FTA maintains different reporting requirements for different kinds of agencies. In particular, small transit systems can apply for a Small Systems Waiver to receive reduced reporting requirements[3]. Eligible systems must operate, directly or by contract, fewer than 30 vehicles (including fixed-route and paratransit), and can have no fixed-guideway service. While the waiver does not affect funding eligibility, it may affect funding allocation because passenger miles are not reported.

Other waivers available include:

  • Natural Disaster Hold Harmless Adjustment - This waiver accounts for decreased service prompted by a natural disaster
  • Data, Report or Passenger Miles Traveled Sampling Waivers - Theses situationally specific waivers are rarely granted, but can be used in an agency's first year or if data collection is hampered by natural disaster.
  • Special Request – Strikes - Agencies can receive waivers if labor strikes impede service.

Training

New administrators of public transit systems may not know how to properly collect and manage data to meet NTD requirements. The National Transit Institute regularly offers introductory courses on NTD reporting. The training is provided free for employees of public transit agencies receiving federal funds. The course is available for a fee for transit consultants and others wishing to become familiar with the process.

Using NTD Data

TransitCenter published a video describing how to download data from the NTD.[4]

References

Additional Reading

National Transit Database Office of Budget and Policy. (2017). "National Transit Database Policy Manual."

Updated yearly, the official NTD policy manual explains the program and outlines reporting requirements.