Engineering

Design manuals, guidelines, and maintenance standards for work on MBTA projects have been collected here for design consultants and project managers. The documents, within seven categories, are available as PDFs.

Read the Chief Engineer's message on guidelines and standards

For situations not covered by these documents, consult an MBTA project manager for further information.

Note: Standards are evaluated and updated on an ongoing basis. Every attempt will be made to include updates in the Directives section. It is the design consultant’s responsibility to ensure the latest standards and requirements are used. Where conflicts exist, typically the most stringent requirement applies.

Directives

Directives override standards and guidelines for specific elements in prior documents.

Safety Resources

Learn about changing safety requirements for employees and contractors as we implement the directives in the Federal Transit Administration's Safety Management Inspection report.

Design Standards and Guidelines

Guides, manuals, and materials provide design requirements and goals for MBTA facilities including stations, bridges, and signage.

Maintenance Standards

Procedures and requirements in these documents outline facilities’ maintenance and operational needs.

Project-Specific Standards and Criteria

Several project design manuals, including select manuals for South Coast Rail and the Green Line Extension, are available for reference and guidance only.

Procedures

Requirements and expectations for drawings and specifications offer guidance for different stages of design development.

Specifications

These materials describe requirements for work on, over, under, within, or adjacent to MBTA railroad property.

Strategy

Programs focusing on MBTA system upgrade plans and priorities.