Metrolink receives grant to promote railroad safety

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) recently awarded Metrolink a $61,325 grant to implement a railroad public safety campaign.

In collaboration with California Operation Lifesaver, Metrolink will use the grant to continue efforts to reduce the number of people killed or injured in grade crossing collisions, Metrolink officials said in a press release.

California leads the nation in the number of deaths at crossings. The state has about 10,000 at-grade crossings over 10,000 miles of track, intersecting with nearly 324,000 miles of public highways and roads, officials said.

"It is absolutely tragic to witness and experience the largely avoidable incidents along the tracks caused primarily by distracted pedestrians and drivers," said Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Michael DePallo. "With the support of the California Office of Traffic Safety, Metrolink and its partners will continue striving to make people more aware of the dangers of unsafe behaviors on or near the tracks."

The grant will fund activities such as increasing the number of authorized Operation Lifesaver volunteers across the state; conducting a public safety conference in Southern California; working with communities and their leaders about safety at railroad crossings on highways and rights of way.

The OTS grant is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.