## 4.1 Developing Safety Performance Targets 

Safety performance targets  are measurable goals used to verify the predicted residual risk of a hazard. A safety performance target is the preferred means to relate the performance of risk reduction efforts to the expected risk level. The safety performance target is included as part of the monitoring plan (see Section 4.2). 

Safety performance targets are used to assess safety performance with respect to controls and newly implemented safety requirements. Do not define the worst credible effect or effects producing the highest risk level as the safety performance target; instead, look at the less severe effects or indicators (e.g., the number of unauthorized vehicle deviations on taxiways per a specific number of airport operations over a period of time). Safety performance targets should be related to the hazard or National Airspace System (NAS) change. 

When developing safety performance targets, use subject matter expertise to determine the appropriate metrics to monitor. The sources of data used when preparing to assess the NAS change must be evaluated when developing safety performance targets. If there is no established data source to support a proposed safety performance target, a means to begin collecting this data should be identified and documented. The pre–Safety Risk Management panel data analysis also serves as the basis for comparison against the post-implementation metrics. 

Mapping a hazard to a specific safety performance target may not be possible in terms of establishing a causal relationship. In such cases, identify a sound alternate method to verify the predicted residual risk and determine whether controls and/or safety requirements are appropriate and are functioning as intended. 

