BNSF honors four states for grade-crossing safety efforts

BNSF Railway Co. yesterday recognized four state departments of transportation for their dedication to improving grade-crossing safety.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative to reduce grade-crossing incidents across the Class I’s 32,500-mile network, BNSF issued its “Tracking to Zero” awards to DOTs in Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming for averaging less than one crossing incident per 1 million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective states. Data reported in 2023 to the Federal Railroad Administration confirms the findings, BNSF officials said in a press release.

Examples of actions taken by the four DOTs to improve crossing safety include:
• installing grade separations;

• enhancing signal systems at existing crossings;

• researching and piloting new crossing-safety technologies;

• utilizing both state and federal funding to maximize crossing-safety improvements;

• prioritizing community education and utilizing land-use planning and awareness campaigns; and

• implementing various measures to reduce railroad trespassing.

“Because trains are limited in their ability to prevent a collision, safety gains are better achieved by improving how drivers interact around railroad tracks,” said BNSF Assistant Director of Public Projects Richard Scott. “State DOTs can make a big difference when it comes to their communities’ safety by prioritizing rail-safety projects and campaigns that help drivers make better decisions.”

Since 1995, BNSF’s rate of crossing collisions has declined from an average of 5.3 incidents per million trail miles to 1.89 in 2023, company officials said.