NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) and Related Systems

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is the largest voluntary, confidential reporting system in the world. Founded in 1976 on the principles of confidentiality, voluntary participation, and immunity, the ASRS system provides qualitative and quantitative information to assist stakeholders in defining and implementing risk mitigation and safety management actions. Booz Allen Hamilton has operated this system on behalf of NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California since January 2005. In addition, a new system currently in its pilot phase, the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), will soon assist the rail industry in advancing safety in railroad operations. NASA recognizes that confidential reporting systems can benefit from technological advances and process improvements to become even more powerful and effective.

Booz Allen supports NASA in the collection and analysis of aviation safety and rail safety data to facilitate proactive safety management. Booz Allen and NASA are committed to a shared vision for the evolution of NASA's confidential reporting system programs to achieve world class performance. This vision includes:

• Increased reporting volume and reporter diversity for an expanded safety perspective
• Increased ASRS full form incident report processing
• Successful demonstration, implementation, and roll out of additional confidential reporting systems in various domains
• Low risk, cost-efficient system architecture modernization that includes improved system security and resilience, and scalable data mining and analysis support capabilities.

Complex systems involving networks of people, technology, and processes will continually face intricate safety and security challenges. Booz Allen believes that a cornerstone of successful safety and risk management is an accurate understanding of vulnerabilities and risks. Confidential safety reporting systems are particularly valuable for revealing the anatomy of an operation, identifying pre-emptive risk mitigation actions, and institutionalizing effective safety management practices. While each operational domain (e.g., aviation, medicine, rail, security, etc.) has unique characteristics and dynamics, there are four fundamental safety management objectives that apply to all domains: to accurately define, measure, communicate, and manage risks for comprehensive safety management. Achieving this objective requires stakeholder participation and contributions as a centerpiece coupled with sound scientific and analytic techniques. For more information on the Aviation Safety Reporting System, visit NASA's ASRS web site.