Dont start crossing a track if you cant get all the way across. Apr 24, 2009 a short video about railroad crossing safety, from the eyes of a retired railroader, who believes in promoting safety awareness. There are more than 1,000 miles of light and commuter railroad tracks and 2,400 miles of freight railroad tracks crisscrossing new jersey. Pursuant to a congressional request, gao examined federal efforts to improve railroad crossing safety, focusing on. The highwayrail crossing handbook, third edition is an information resource on prevalent and noteworthy practices as well as adopted standards relative to highwayrail grade crossings. Ncshp revs up safety campaign for railroad crossings. The office executes its regulatory and inspection responsibilities through a diverse staff of railroad safety experts. Crossing safety overview of bnsfs approach to grade crossing safety highwayrailroad grade crossing safety is an integral part of bnsfs operation and culture and involves the daily cooperative efforts of many employees. Railroad crossing safety factsheet texas department of insurance. Railroad crossing education and enforcement programs. Welcome to the fra office of safety analysis web site. Have you ever been at a railroad crossing with the warning lights. Six tips for driving through a railroad crossing driver safety. Designated crossings are marked by a sign, lights or a gate.
Railroad grade crossing safety, pedestrian safety, commuter. Railroad crossing safety tips posted on october 22, 2010 by defensive driving team in defensive driving online. Because oncoming trains cannot stop for vehicles whose drivers violate motor vehicle laws when approaching railroad tracks. Prevention there are many simple and lifesaving practices to help. Railroad crossing safety tips many drivers pay little or no attention at highwayrail crossings they drive across day after day because they never see a train there. Attention first responders, you can download a pdf of the railroad resources safety booklet below. Following the ten safety tips listed below can help prevent vehicletrain. Sep 03, 20 read these and other driver safety tips from aarp s driver resource center. Railroad crossing safety charlotte, north carolina. Railroad safety fra federal railroad administration. If crossing warning signals or gates are broken, malfunctioning or need maintenance, contact. Prevention there are many simple and lifesaving practices to help you avoid a confrontation with a train at a railroad crossing. The oregon department of transportation rail and public transit division oversees oregon rail operations to ensure the structural safety of railroad cars, equipment, track, crossings, and signals and to maintain a safe environment for railroad employees.
Ppt railroad safety powerpoint presentation free to view. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine. Many drivers pay little or no attention at highwayrail crossings they drive across. Before crossing, roll down windows, turn off siren and radio, and listen for train horn. Driving around lowered gates is illegal and deadly. Never drive around lowered gates its illegal and deadly. Trains cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision. Rail safety tips and facts wa utc access washington. Never drive or walk around lowered grade crossing gates. The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing with either a crossbuck, flashing red lights, or a gate.
A train traveling at 41 mph covers 660 feetin 11 seconds, which is as far up the tracks as the truck driver can see. New jersey safety along railroads shortterm action plan. The railwayhighway crossings section program provides funds for the elimination of hazards at railwayhighway crossings. Rail safety california public utilities commission. The purpose of this site is to make railroad safety information including accidents and incidents, inventory and highwayrail crossing data readily available to the public. The north carolina department of transportation ncdot recommends the following tips for motorists at railroad crossings.
A highway rail grade crossing is a location where a public or private road, street, sidewalk or pathway, intersects railroad tracks at the same level. While most current standards and requirements for railroad atgrade warning systems are tailored to motor vehicle traffic, the federal highway administrations railroad highway grade crossing handbook 44 provides guidance about pedestrian crossings. The railroad safety improvement act of 2008 contained the. According to operation lifesaver, a national nonprofit organization, nearly 2,000 americans are killed and injured at highwayrail grade crossings each year. This web site provides a compendium of highwayrail grade crossing safety information for drivers, motor carriers, and users of commercial motor vehicles. It is never okay to rush across and try to beat the train. Shifting gears with a manual transmission while going across this raised surface.
Every 3 hours, a person is hit by a train in the u. Uses stopmotion photography to illustrate the seven most common driving errors at rail crossings and shows how to avoid these errors. Railroad safety tips for drivers be alert near railroad crossings and stop for approaching trains. Those who drive for a living must practice crossing safety. Shifting gears with a manual transmission while going across this raised surface may cause the vehicle to stall on the tracks. Always preplan movements to identify potential hazards. Grade crossing safety tips never drive or walk around lowered grade crossing gates. Keep yourself safe at train crossings by remembering these tips. Founded in 1934, aar is the worlds leading railroad policy, research, standard setting, and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the u. Never begin to drive across the tracks unless you can get all the way across. The related documents provide pdf and printready files for the english, spanish, and.
Railroad crossing safety in charlotte, trains operate daily crossing city streets. Also, goes over signs and road markings, safe railroad crossing procedures,special. In reality, the process is governed by a federal program since crossing signals are defined by the federal highway administration as highway control devices, not railroad signals. Allow enough space for your vehicle to completely clear the entire railroad crossing, not just the tracks, before you attempt to cross. Amtrak police and operation lifesaver mobilize largest railroad safety operation in u. Railroad crossing safety safety tips further details at operation lifesaver. Shortcuts can result in serious injuries and fatalities. Railroad crossing safety for emergency responders cdc. Many drivers pay little or no attention at highway rail crossings they drive across day after day because they never see a train there. Mar 06, 2017 this comprehensive railroad crossing video covers the different types of crossings bus drivers may encounter.
Apr 2, 2020 tips for crossing train tracks safety, whether in a car or on foot. Rail crossing safety its no place for risky business 2019 rail crossing safety. Rail safety the cpuc is the state agency that oversees rail safety in california. These safety tips and other railroad safety information available through operation lifesaver can help you stay safe around pennsylvanias railroads.
Statement of safety policy it is union pacific railroads policy to conduct its business in a manner that addresses the safety of employees, contractors, customers and the communities we serve. Since the programs inception in 1987 through 2014, for which most recent data is available. These tracks run throughout major cities and small towns, linking destinations and improving mobility for residents. We also encourage you to utilize the material in our teachers section, which includes fact sheets, matching games, coloring pages, quizzes and our new railroad safety fun sheet to. Highwayrail grade crossing safety saving lives one of the initiatives the federal motor carrier safety administration is undertaking to save lives on the nations highways is to intensify our focus on highwayrail grade crossing safety.
Aar full members include the major freight railroads in the united states, canada and mexico, as well as amtrak. Railroad crossing signal installations and signal upgrades primarily are funded by federal safety funds, originally through section funding, but more recently. We are handing out these safety cards until those numbers are at zero. This oversight can be broken down into three areas. Were spreading the message about train safety and need your help. Union pacific will strive to prevent all incidents, accidents, injuries and occupational. The staff includes 400 federal safety inspectors who operate out of eight regional offices. If the lights are flashing or the gate is down, wait for the train to pass completely before crossing. Railroad safety tips for pedestrians only cross railroad tracks at a designated crossing. Overview of bnsfs approach to grade crossing safety. It is important for motorists and pedestrians to be cautious while approaching a railroad crossing or track.
Highwayrailroad grade crossing safety is an integral part of bnsfs operation and culture and involves the daily cooperative efforts of many employees. What are these tips you should always remember to follow to stay safe. Never race a train to the crossing even if you tie, you lose. Grade crossing protective fund grants gcpf funds are now available for the 20192021 biennium. A train can extend three feet or more beyond the steel rail, putting the safety zone for pedestrians well beyond the three foot mark. If lights are flashing or the gate is down at a railroad crossing, wait. Operation lifesaver is an international safety program designed to prevent railrelated collisions through educational. As part of our mission to reduce deaths and injuries at highwayrail grade crossings and around tracks and trains, operation lifesaver, inc. It is a one stop shop for readers who want to learn more about the critical importance of rail grade crossing safety. Information at rail crossings in drivers education. In june 2009, five teenagers were killed in a tragic accident in detroit when their car was hit by a passenger train. Never stop your vehicle on a grade crossing waiting for traffic to move.
Always obey signs, gates, lights, bells, and other safety equipment. Parents, dont forget to check out our driver education materials as well to discuss important railroad safety tips with teenage children. Public highwayrailway crossings are marked with signs, and. Fras office of railroad safety promotes and regulates safety throughout the nations railroad industry. Slow down when approaching a railroad crossing and look both waystwice. Always remember to look and listen when you see the warning signs indicating a highway rail crossing ahead.
The handbook provides general information on highwayrail crossings, characteristics of the crossing environment and users, and physical and operational changes that can be made at crossings to enhance the safety and operation of both highway and rail traffic at crossings. Last year there were 12 fatalities and 24 injuries at crossings throughout the state. Nov 14, 2016 safety tip highway grade crossing safety november 14, 2016 november 14, 2016 by ashley a highwayrail grade crossing is a location where a public or private road, street, sidewalk or pathway, intersects railroad tracks at the same level. When crossing train tracks, go to a designated crossing and look both ways.
If there are rails on the railroad ties, always assume the track is in use, even if there are weeds or the track looks unused. Pedestrians and transit safety federal highway administration. Remember, trains can come from either direction at any time. Wait for traffic on the other side to clear before beginning your crossing. The section program has been correlated with a significant decrease in fatalities at railwayhighway grade crossings. Highwayrailroad grade crossing safety is an integral part of bnsfs operation and culture and involves. See more ideas about safety tips, train tracks and train. Publicrail safety guide operation lifesaver canada.
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