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In 2010, transportation fatalities decreased to 34,925 from 2009's 35,994, according to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates. But despite the overall downward trend, fatalities increased in several categories last year, including rail.

Rail fatalities increased from 742 in 2009 to 813 in 2010, with the majority occurring at grade crossings (534). Deaths involving light, heavy and commuter rail rose from 229 in 2009 to 253, according to the NTSB.

Fatalities also increased in the motorcycles, medium and heavy trucks, buses and pipeline categories.

“Though the NTSB continues to advocate for changes to address human factors, equipment and infrastructure improvements to prevent crashes, we continue to see far too many deaths each year," said NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman in a prepared statement.