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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Confidentiality and Safety Data

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Overview

As part of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), the Precursor Safety Data Program (PSDP) supports BTS’ role as a federal statistical agency and its mission to collect and disseminate high-quality transportation information while upholding its legal and ethical obligations to respect the privacy of those who have provided that information. BTS takes privacy laws and its ethical obligations to protect information very seriously. To learn about BTSs standardized confidentiality procedures that ensure respondents’ data is protected and secured, visit the BTS Confidentiality Page.

Confidential Safety Data

BTS and PSDP’s privacy obligations are anchored by law, 49 U.S.C. 111(c)(2) and Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA), which forbid BTS or its agents from releasing identifiable data confidentially submitted by individuals, companies, or other entities. These protections help motivate organizations that participate in programs within PSDP’s focus areas to share private data that is aggregated and shared back to help stakeholders reduce safety risks.

  • Offshore Energy Safety Data (SafeOCS) - Offshore oil and gas operators share data that is aggregated with all participant data to help stakeholders reduce the risk of major events, including loss of life or property and environmental harm.
  • Maritime Safety Data (SafeMTS) - Commercial maritime operators voluntarily and confidentially share information about near miss events occurring on maritime vessels to help all participants identify early warnings of safety problems and potential safety issues.
  • Transit Safety Data (WMATA Close Call Reporting Program) - Employees confidentially report close calls (near-miss accidents or incidents) to help the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority determine their root causes and develop appropriate preventive safety actions to avoid accidents in the future.

Contact

If you have comments or questions about how BTS protects safety data, contact:

Clara Reschovsky
BTS Confidentiality Officer
202-366-2857
clara.reschovsky@dot.gov