advertisement

---

Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it’s releasing guidance documents to help states and local governments reduce grade crossing and trespassing incidents, and bolster pedestrian safety near train stations.
 
Required by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the documents offer strategies for reducing crossing violations and ways to work with Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) on expanded community outreach, additional law enforcement action and warning device installations.
 
Prevention strategies include expanded educational outreach through OLI and the development of community action plans in concert with enhanced local law enforcement action. The FRA also recommends additional signs be installed to keep trespassers off tracks and technologies be employed, such as motion sensors and video cameras.
 
Station safety recommendations include providing audible and visual warnings of approaching trains, station and platform structural improvements, and fences to prohibit access to tracks.
 
“Trespassing, intentional violation of warning devices at highway-rail grade crossings and pedestrian safety need to be better addressed, and our guidance provides the means to achieve greater safety,” said FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo in a prepared statement.