- How does BTS or NASA keep my report confidential?
- What happens to personal information I share with BTS?
- If I report a close call about someone else, will the information about that person remain confidential?
- What happens to the information I provided if my close call is rejected?
- What assurance do I have that BTS, the PRT, and Volpe will keep my identity confidential?
- Does the carrier see my close call report?
- Does PRT or FRA see my close call report?
- Are there any conditions under which BTS or NASA would reveal my identity?
- How does BTS or NASA protect my identity from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests or legal action?
- How does BTS or NASA keep my report confidential?
BTS or NASA de-identifies all personal and carrier information from a close call report so that the identity of the reporting employee or anyone mentioned in the report cannot be determined. BTS and NASA will not share any information that could enable someone to determine the person making the close call report or information that is referred to in the report on the basis of indirect identifiers such as train ID or the milepost at which an event occurred. For BTS all documents and electronic media are kept in a secure room, with access limited to BTS agents who operate C3RS. NASA removes and returns any identifying information on reports.
- What happens to personal information I share with BTS or NASA?
After collecting information on a close call event, BTS or NASA removes all information that might lead to the identity of:
- The person(s) who filed the report
- Employees referred to in the report
- The location of the event
- The carrier involved
- If I report a close call about someone else, will the information about that person remain confidential?
Yes. All information that could identify someone is removed before it can be shared. Even if no names are given, BTS or NASA will not share any information that could enable someone to determine the person making the close call report or the person(s) referred to in the report on the basis of indirect identifiers such as train ID or the milepost at which an event occurred.
- What happens to the information I provided if my close call is rejected?
BTS or NASA will destroy any information you provided either by telephone or in writing.
- What assurance do I have that BTS, the PRT, and Volpe will keep my identity confidential?
All participants (BTS, PRT, and the (Volpe Center) sign a confidentiality agreement under the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA). This makes disclosure of information that could identify you a Class E felony, punishable by not more than five years in prison or a $250,000 fine, or both. All participants receive training in how to protect the confidentiality of the reports and any related information. All information is stored under strict conditions set by BTS to protect the data.
- Does the carrier see my close call report?
No, the PRT receives C3RS summary reports from BTS and NASA with personal/carrier information removed or de-identified. Carriers agree they will not use the data to identify whomever else might be engaged in the same activity or to discipline and decertify employees for that behavior.
- Does the PRT or FRA see my close call report?
No, the PRT receives a C3RS summary from BTS or NASA with personal/carrier information removed or de-identified. FRA receives an annual C3RS summary report with no personal/carrier information.
- Are there any conditions under which BTS or NASA would reveal my identity?
No. BTS or NASA will never reveal the identity of someone making a close call report, even if a report is not accepted.
- How does BTS or NASA protect my identity from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests or legal action?
In the event of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request or legal action for your close call report or interview, BTS or NASA will keep that information confidential.
