OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS OF THE TECHNICAL COUNCIL OF THE TRANSIT STANDARD CONSORTIUM

These are the operating procedures for a Technical Working Group established by the Technical Council.

1. Proposal of a New TWG

A Technical Council member or TSC member may propose the establishment of a Technical Working Group at meeting of the Technical Council.

2. Charter

The TC may discuss the purpose and objectives of the TWG. If the concept of the TWG is approved, an agent is appointed who will is tasked with drafting a charter.

A TWG charter shall consist of a simple description of the purpose and major duties of the group.

The Charter shall be presented to the TC for approval.

3. Approval of a New TWG

According to the TSC By-Laws, approval of the TWG with its charter requires at least seven (7) affirmative votes by Technical Council Members.

The TC shall seek the approval of the Board of Trustees to establish the TWG. Once it’s received approval the remaining steps may be initiated.

4. Interim TWG and Membership Composition

The size and composition of the TWG shall be identified by the Technical Council.

An interim TWG chair shall be appointed by the Technical Council by a majority of the TC members attending the TC meeting (or a majority of TC members if polled by email).

The interim TWG chair may be asked to recruit members for the TWG. Current TSC members shall be given preference for membership in the TWG. The member roster shall be reviewed by the TC.

5. TWG Scope and Work Plan

As part of its first duties, the TWG shall propose a scope and work plan to the Technical Council. The scope and work plan must be approved by a majority of the TC members attending the TC meeting (or a majority of TC members if polled by email).

The work plan shall consist of (1) Scope of the TWG and a set of measurable objectives; (2) relationship to “list of families of interoperating standards for use by Consortium members” and/or other standards under development for transit; (3) activities required to achieve objectives; (4) TWG members; (5) any proposals submitted to fund activities; (6) relationship with collaborative or formal agreements with other organizations that affect the work plan; (7) TWG organization; (8) expected outcome/result; (9) estimated schedule including cost (e.g., teleconferences).

The Scope and Work Plan may be submitted in sections, however, the complete document shall be presented and approved within the first six months of TWG establishment. The requirement to approve the scope and work plan may be waived by a two thirds vote of the Technical Council membership.

The scope and work plan may be amended by a majority vote of the Technical Council.

6. Election of TWG Chair

A chair shall be elected by the majority of TWG members within the first year of initiation. The by-laws shall govern the election of the TWG chair.

7. TWG Reporting to the Technical Council

The TWG chair or designee shall report to the Technical Council on its activities and progress on a periodic basis at the discretion of the TC chair. The TWG chair shall identify issues that may affect other TWGs or changes to the Work Plan or Scope.

8. Duties of TWG

TWG duties shall be constrained to the scope and work plan submitted to the TC initially by the TWG or subsequent changes approved by the TC.

The General Authority of the TWG shall follow the general authority delegated to the TWG by the TC. These include the following:

General Authority

a) to recommend technical policy to the Technical Council, and issue procedures in the specific areas of standards identification, needs assessment, development, testing and maintenance delegated to the TWG by approval of the Scope statement;

b) to identify and prioritize opportunities for Technical Council activity with respect to specific technical aspects of standards identification, needs assessment, development, testing and maintenance as delegated to the TWG by approval of the Scope statement;

c) within the approved budget, to manage Consortium-sponsored technical projects approved by the Technical Council and subsequently by the Board of Trustees;

d) to develop and recommend (to the Technical Council) a list of families of interoperating standards recommended for use by Consortium members that fall within the scope of the TWG;

e) to publish technical guidance on the testing, implementation, use and maintenance of the standards recommended under d) above.

The Limitations on Authority shall be constrained by the Limitation on Authority of the Technical Council. These include the following:

. Limitations on Authority

a) TWG may not issue policy recommendations to governmental agencies;

b) TWG may not enter into contracts on behalf of the Consortium;

c) TWG may not recommend or promulgate a list of families of interoperating standards on behalf of the Consortium