Better Transportation
Together
Our work often begins with a holistic assessment of an organization or analyzing a specific operational issue using industry-leading frameworks. These valuable benchmarks can be of great value to new leadership during operational challenges, when implementing SMS plans or other regulatory standards, or, more reactively, in parallel with NTSB investigations. We have conducted these efforts at multi-modal agencies, and our team has extensive experience across both modes and subject-matter areas.
Areas of expertise:
- Safety culture analysis and enhancement
- Employee engagement and survey programs
- Customer experience optimization
- Operational reviews and building capacity
- Growth strategy development
- Community and stakeholder engagement
- Organizational integration and implementation programs
Tools we use include:
- Leadership Coaching
- General Consulting
- Strategic Planning
- Employee Surveys
- Focus Groups
- Peer Reviews
- Workshops
- Field Visits
Our Approach
Equipped to assist any organization in reaching its goals
Our no-one-size-fits-all approach combines change management methodologies with industry best practices to formulate a clear vision and strategy for effective implementation and building capacity within your organization.
We can help you:
Create high levels of employee engagement
Drive positive customer experiences
Cultivate strong safety cultures with measurable results
Grow and build capacity for your team to execute
Respond to critical safety and organizational needs
Address institutional and governance challenges
Transformation underway
with our Clients
A large transportation agency with heavy rail and an annual ridership of over 200 million
Concerns about an increase in red signal violations led the board to seek an external assessment of the safety culture and rail operations.
Client Objectives
The board desired an external party to complete an assessment of the safety culture and rail operations to determine the extent of the problem.
Our Recommendations
The Wathen Group conducted an organizational assessment that included an employee survey, peer review, and field observations. The ultimate report for the Office of Inspector General included actionable recommendations across issues such as technological support, technical processes, organizational management policies and practices, and employee engagement.
Client Outcomes
At the request of the COO, we provided subsequent program and change management support for numerous workstreams. The change management process helped the agency develop a governance process and improve employee hazard reporting through the establishment of a tracking program. This effort led to a reduction in red signal violations and an improvement in overall safety culture metrics based on a follow-up employee survey.
A commuter rail agency with an annual ridership of 2.9 million and nearly 1,000 employees
The agency experienced a serious incident resulting in 14 injuries and the destruction of approximately $1.4 million in rail equipment.
Client Objectives
As the agency conducted its own review in parallel with an NTSB investigation, they called The Wathen Group to fast-track an independent safety culture review. The agency sought an independent safety culture review to complement their internal investigation and the ongoing NTSB inquiry.
Our Recommendations
The Wathen Group engaged all levels of the organization, including contracted services, through interviews, focus groups, and an employee survey. Based on employee engagement, we supported the agency's communications strategy and implementation of the report’s comprehensive recommendations, turning them into actionable steps.
Client Outcomes
The agency has made several organizational changes, including more frequent incident reviews, institution-wide after-action reviews, and updated safety data collection and key performance indicators. Additionally, with The Wathen Group’s support, the agency developed an in-house safety brand and a Safety Champion program, empowering employees to promote a learning culture and improve responses to operational challenges.
A global provider of integrated transportation payment systems, operating in over 20 major cities and having launched more than 400 fare payment systems
The provider was pursuing a bid for a next-generation payment platform at one of the world’s largest metropolitan agencies.
Client Objectives
The provider aimed to develop a strategic approach to delivering the new fare payment system at a major metropolitan agency. Leadership sought to embed a more strategic approach and turned to The Wathen Group for external guidance.
Our Recommendations
The Wathen Group recommended an economic development strategy to engage statewide businesses, focusing on MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises) participation. We also identified and engaged a diverse set of stakeholders, from woman-owned hardware manufacturers to local elected officials and business groups.
Client Outcomes
As a result of the successful procurement, the provider opened an Operations Center in a regional city, supporting the Call Center for the new fare payment system and creating over 200 new jobs.
The new leader of an agency delivering commuter rail and bus services with an annual ridership of 5.7 million
New leadership wanted a baseline assessment to evaluate its safety culture.
Client Objectives
New leadership wanted a baseline assessment to evaluate the agency’s safety culture, focusing on gap analysis to address FRA SSPP requirements and assess all entities using employee feedback and organizational reviews.
Our Recommendations
The Wathen Group recommended a comprehensive safety culture assessment, including gap analysis and organizational reviews, to identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with FRA SSPP implementation processes.
Client Outcomes
Provided a blueprint for safety compliance and culture change.
When you talk change in transportation & challenges in delivery, it’s time to
talk to The Wathen Group
What’s your next change?
New leadership? Planning strategic initiatives? Dealing with complex operational challenges? Reputational crisis? When you talk about change in transportation, it’s time to talk to The Wathen Group.
Tell us about your needs or request a callback.