UP cut public safety incident rate last year

Union Pacific Railroad in 2013 registered a public safety incident rate of 2.22, a 7 percent improvement from 2012's 2.38 rate.

The public safety incident rate measures the total number of Federal Railroad Administration-reportable crossing accidents per million train miles.

Last year's lower rate demonstrates progress in enhancing safety for employees, customers and communities, UP officials said in a press release. The railroad's integrated safety outreach, enforcement and education efforts, and a paid safety advertising campaign contributed to increased motorists' awareness at grade crossings and a reduction in public safety incidents, they said.

"Though our public safety metric improved in 2013, the goal is always zero incidents, and by engaging employees and communities in railroad safety efforts, we move closer to this goal," said Bob Grimaila, UP's vice president of safety, security and environment.

Meanwhile, UP plans to announce today that it's contributing $50,000 for the development of the Riverside Library and Cultural Center in Evans, Colo. The facility will serve as a community resource center, following floods that occurred in 2013.