“Almost every trespasser death or injury is preventable and FRA is working to intensify our efforts,” said FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory. “Now that we have examined current data on contributing factors of the problem, we are seeking to energize our state and local partners to implement solutions and save lives.”
In the report, the FRA examined trespasser casualties over a four-year period (Nov. 2013 to Oct. 2017) and identified the top 10 counties in the United States where the most pedestrian trespasser casualties occurred (Los Angeles, Calif.; Cook (Chicago), Ill.; San Bernardino, Calif.; Harris (Houston), Texas; Broward, Fla.; Palm Beach, Fla.; Fresno, Calif.; Riverside, Calif.; Contra Costa, Calif.; San Diego, Calif.). The report shows that, excluding suicides, 4,242 pedestrians were killed or injured while trespassing on railroad property nationwide during this time period.
Preventing trespasser casualties and injuries is a high priority for FRA as part of the Department’s safety mission. In October 2018, FRA convened a Trespasser & Grade Crossing Fatality Prevention Summit at its headquarters in Washington, DC. Secretary Chao, Administrator Batory, representatives from other DOT modal administrations, and key stakeholders from the rail industry, law enforcement, and the navigation industry attended the meeting to discuss strategies to reduce grade crossing and trespasser fatalities, as well as to solicit ideas to develop and implement a comprehensive national plan and strategy. FRA looks forward to coordinating and working with all stakeholders to prevent trespassing incidents, and this report is an important step forward in the continued effort to improve rail safety.
FRA’s National Strategy to prevent trespassing on railroad property includes four strategic focus areas: data gathering and analysis, community site visits, funding, and partnerships with stakeholders.
Data gathering and analysisof trespass incidents and close-calls will enable FRA to target its resources to trespassing “hot spots.” Conducting community site visits will help FRA to learn more about the specific local circumstances that contribute to trespassing and work with partners to help implement and evaluate targeted mitigation strategies. Requesting and providing funding will support community-based efforts to deter trespassing. Finally, building strong and enduring partnerships with communities, law enforcement, railroads, and other organizations with a shared interest in saving lives will enable FRA to leverage and concentrate available resources, expertise, and local knowledge to combat trespassing.
There have to be adequate places to cross tracks for pedestrians. It is not reasonable to expect people to walk extra distance in the way one can mandate drivers go farther to get to an open crossing (especially when crossings are closed). Also the linear structure of railroad property means this is more of a right of way issue than trespassing. And right of way is about the priority of users (ie moving train first, then pedestrians, then autos).
I guess some among us are lacking common sense
Doubt this will have any effect on those individuals who want to “joy ride” on freight trains.
In Allentown, PA NS started to crack down on fans hanging out by the tracks at a grade crossing near a major yard several years ago. They put up no trespassing signs at that location. I rode by the very spot on a NKP 765 excursion a few years ago that went from Bethlehem to Pittston and back. And an Amtrak excursion passed by the spot going from NY to Harrisburg and back end of October 2016.
The consequence will be that trespassers will claim they weren’t informed or prevented from trespassing. Then they will sue the railroad (as in the film crew) for not being active in trespass prevention. The lawyers are glad to see that.
Whatever might help should surely be implemented, however there may be a side-effect.
Several years ago there was a rash of trespasser strikes and fatalities on New Jersey Transit’s rail lines, so NJT implemented a comprehensive public awareness program to educate people of how dangerous rail lines were and why they should stay off them.
It worked, trespasser strikes went way down, but “suicides-by-train” went UP. It’s almost as if the suicidal thought “What a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?”
I’m not saying nothing should be done, far from it, but sometimes raising public awareness isn’t a cure-all. There’s always going to be some that you can’t save from themselves no matter what you do.
One point stuck out in the article: There was NO Mention of attendance by anyone from the National Operation Lifesaver at either the State or National levels ! Wonder why ?
Is OLI loosing its Industry or Enforcement backers? Any one have any answers?
If Trains was serious about this issue they would stop publishing pictures in their magazine and this web site that have been taken illegally !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As long as there are stupid human beings, there will be trespassers out there somewhere, it’s just not possible to prevent people from being stupid.
I’m more inclined to not worry so much about it…I look at it as Darwinism working to it’s best ability.
Anyone else notice that 6 of the top 10 are in California? Wonder why…
When I learn of a story like this I hope its one of cracking down on legions of free roaming vandals who have covered every boxcar in graffiti and now moving to autoracks. Translated: Lots of pedestrians and photographers will be harassed. Nothing more.