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Precursor Safety Data Program

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

A trusted partner in collecting and analyzing close-call and other precursor data to improve safety

The Precursor Safety Data Program is operated by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) Office of Safety Data and Analysis to improve safety practices by understanding the factors that lead to an unsafe event. Participants in the program's focus areas confidentially share precursor safety data with BTS, data such as information about near miss events, which include narrowly avoided accidents that could have occurred but did not. BTS aggregates collected data to maintain confidentiality and performs analyses to identify root causes and help participants prevent accidents before they happen.

Focus areas

An image of an oil worker and oil pipes in silhouette in front of rising or setting sun. Image of a container ship in the port of Seattle, Washington, with the Space Needle in the background. Image of a transit train in a station in Washington, DC.

Offshore Energy Safety Data

Maritime Safety Data

Transit Safety Data

Participant data is secure

BTS is authorized by law, 49 U.S.C. 111(c)(2), to collect transportation information for its programs, including the Precursor Safety Data Program. The BTS confidentiality statute, 49 U.S.C. 111(i), and CIPSEA protect the information BTS collects. These laws make sure that any identifying, sensitive, or proprietary information that BTS collects is not released to unauthorized persons or organizations. Learn more about how we protect safety data.