Recent Design Directives & Guidelines
The following twelve directives have been posted online at: https://www.mbta.com/engineering/directives
- Retaining Wall Design Criteria – Identifies minimum standards for design of permanent and temporary retaining walls; developed primarily to make clear MBTA expectations around the use of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls
- Bathroom Design Criteria – Design criteria for bathrooms at MBTA stations, intended for new construction, repair and replacement projects
- Exit Signs – Design guidance for exit signs at all stations and facilities, intended for all new construction, repair or replacement projects
- Bicycle Parking – Identifies bicycle parking design standards at MBTA stations and facilities, for all new construction, repair, or replacement projects
- Bus Stop – Design guidance for bus stops, developed primarily to make clear MBTA prohibition of the use of constrained bus stops
- Bonded Insulated Joints for Transit Trackwork – Identifies minimum requirements for design of bonded insulated joints
- Final Track Geometry Tolerance Inspections – Identifies final track geometry tolerance inspection requirements for all new, reconstructed, and/or rehabilitated track
- Restraining Rail Fasteners – Identifies the MBTA’s approach, preferences, and requirements as pertaining to the design and installation of restraining rail fasteners
- Track Expansion Joints – Identifies required type of track expansion joints, and clarifies that mitered expansion joints are not permitted
- Track Shimming – Clarifies that shimming of track between rail tie and tie plate is not permitted for new, reconstructed, or rehabilitated track work
- Mobile Crane Safety – Identifies required submittals and actions for proposed crane work within the MBTA's Zone of Influence, or with the potential to foul the Right-of-Way
- Construction Monitoring Programs – Guidance on the MBTA’s requirements for development and implementation of construction monitoring programs for all MBTA projects, and third party projects with potential to impact MBTA-owned infrastructure and/or operations
A new Design Directive Template is also available, as well as a revised Design Directive Waiver Form.
The following guidelines have been posted online at: https://www.mbta.com/engineering/design-standards-and-guidelines
- The MBTA Brand Guidelines – Provides guidance for the proper, allowable use of the MBTA brand including the T symbol, typography, colors, imagery, and community communication
- The Bus Maintenance Facility Design Guidelines – Provides a thorough design guide for modern bus maintenance facilities
In addition, several documents have been added to the strategy section for information, as well as the Bus Maintenance Facility Design Guidelines and the MBTA Brand Guidelines.
Other recent guideline updates:
Under Systemwide, the Manual of Guidelines and Standards was updated in September.
Under Commuter Rail, the Prototype Stations and Design Standards: Stations and Parking were updated in September.
Under Accessibility, the Light Rail Accessibility Program was put up in June and updated in September.
Under Rapid Transit, the Blue Line Catenary Guide and the Green Line Catenary Guide were added in July.
Under Maintenance Standards, sub-headings under Rapid Transit System are now:
- “Maintenance of Way (Track)” (formerly "Track Maintenance and Safety Standards," and “Signals and Communications Maintenance”)
- “Signals and Communications Maintenance” (formerly "Communications and Signals Department" and "Signals Maintenance")
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