CTDOT Kicks off the 2nd Annual Rail Safety Week with
Press Conference at the Hartford Line Wallingford Station
Featuring the Top Five Rail Safety Tips for Connecticut Residents
CTDOT to host community events along the rail line to educate pedestrians, drivers, children, and rail passengers about how to navigate rail tracks safely
(NEWINGTON, CT – September 25, 2018) – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced its participation in the 2nd Annual National Rail Safety Week, a national event to raise the publics’ awareness about rail safety, from September 23-29. The theme of this year's Rail Safety Week is "Stop Track Tragedies."
To kick off Rail Safety Week, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker was joined by Connecticut Operation Lifesaver Coordinator Kevin Burns, and state and local officials at the Hartford Line’s Wallingford Train Station.
The press conference featured a proclamation to commemorate Rail Safety Week, and Commissioner Redeker’s explanation of the “Top 5 Rail Safety Tips for Connecticut Residents” — one each for the ways in which different groups encounter rail tracks and trains: drivers, children, pedestrians, and rail passengers.
“While CTDOT engages in rail safety public awareness year-round, Rail Safety Week provides the opportunity to bring our efforts to the forefront of the public’s attention,” stated Commissioner Redeker. “People may be surprised to learn that it takes a train a mile or more to stop,” explained Commission Redeker. “This week, we will focus educating the public about facts such as these, as well as simple, yet-lifesaving, rail safety tips.”
Connecticut Operation Lifesaver is the state chapter of Operation Lifesaver Inc., the national non-profit organization dedicated to public safety education and awareness to reduce collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and trespassing on or near rail tracks. Connecticut Operation Lifesaver conducts rail safety outreach year round, providing age appropriate presentations for school children, presenting rail safety information to neighborhood associations and block watch groups, engaging people at fairs and community events, and conducting Safety Ambassador outreach to pedestrians and bicyclists near street-level rail crossings.
Kevin Burns, Connecticut Operation Lifesaver’s State Coordinator said, “Over the past year, we have attended over 80 community events reaching approximately 26,000 people and conducted close to 90 presentations, reaching another 6,200 people mostly school children.”
In addition to this direct outreach, Connecticut Operation Lifesaver this year installed sidewalk rail safety messages near street-level rail crossings, designed to catch the attention of distracted pedestrians who may be on their mobile devices, as well as electronic signs with rail safety messages for drivers.
Trespassing along railroad property results in more collisions, deaths, and injuries than accidents occurring along street-level railroad crossings. In 2016, there were four vehicle-train collisions along the state’s 628 at-grade rail crossings that resulted in one injury and no fatalities. In the same year, trespassing along railroad property resulted in six fatalities and two injuries in Connecticut. Preliminary national data show that in 2016, 1,104 people were killed or injured in vehicle-train collisions along at-grade crossings, while 980 people were injured or killed while trespassing on railroad property (usually walking on, or near, railroad tracks).
Additional Rail Safety Week events will occur in communities along the Hartford Line and beyond with partners from Amtrak, local police departments, and the Connecticut State Police.
Rail Safety Week Events
Tuesday, September 25: “Operation Clear Track”. CTDOT will be partnering with Amtrak Police to coordinate with several local police departments to conduct outreach to drivers at several railroad crossings across the state. Operation Clear Track will consist of an easily identifiable checkpoint for drivers to stop at rail crossings, allowing law enforcement representatives to quickly outline the dangers of railroad crossings and distribute informational safety materials. The initiative is expected to reach approximately 6,000 people statewide, targeting railroad crossings in Stafford Springs, Norwich, Stonington, Waterford, South Windsor, Norwalk, Milford, Darien, Danbury, Plainfield, Wallingford, and Berlin. Note: Most Operation Clear Track events have been cancelled due to the weather.
Wednesday, September 26: School Bus Outreach. Operation Lifesaver Connecticut will be visiting several school bus companies in municipalities along the Hartford Line corridor, conducting targeted outreach. This effort will provide critical safety information to keep bus drivers and students safe when driving routes that cross railroad crossings. Reaching over 400 school bus drivers, this outreach effort will provide the drivers with the knowledge and ability to maneuver rail crossings safely, and pass on important safety tips to student riders.
Thursday, September 27: Rail Commuter Outreach. Operation Lifesaver Connecticut volunteers will be positioned at several Connecticut rail stations during the morning commute from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., distributing rail passenger safety brochures. This effort will target rail passengers, to remind them that rail safety is as important at train stations and onboard, as it is when driving or walking near train tracks. Representatives will be stationed at the Hartford Line stations in New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, and Windsor, as well as the Metro North station in Stamford.
Friday, September 28: Business Outreach Event. Operation Lifesaver Connecticut will be conducting targeted outreach to several local businesses who operate fleets of commercial trucks or delivery vehicles to underscore the importance of vigilance at railroad crossings when operating commercial vehicles.
Top 5 Rail Safety Tips for Connecticut Residents
1. Never trespass on railroad tracks. It is both dangerous and illegal to cross rail tracks at any point other than a designated public railroad crossing. Between 2012 and 2016, there were 6 injuries and 25 fatalities resulting from trespassing collisions in Connecticut.
2. Drivers should never attempt to drive around a lowered gate or disregard other audio or visual cues. Even if you cannot see or hear a train, these cues all mean that a train is approaching the intersection, and you should STOP and exercise caution. Between 2012 and 2016, there were 15 reported grade crossing collisions in Connecticut, resulting in 3 fatalities and one injury. If for any reason your vehicle becomes stuck on tracks, immediately clear the area and locate the emergency sign located at all grade crossings.
3. Children should never play on or near railroad tracks. Trains are often quieter and faster moving than they appear and can take more than a mile to fully stop. According to the FRA, nearly 1,100 pedestrian casualties occurred nationwide in 2016. Many children are fascinated by trains, and are among the most vulnerable to misunderstanding the risks associated with trains and tracks.
4. Bicyclists should always disembark and walk across railroad tracks when possible. Always cross tracks at a 90-degree angle to avoid narrow wheels getting stuck between the rails.
5. Rail passengers should stay alert always when on a platform or train. Be sure to stand away from the edge, as trains are wider than the tracks. Mind the gap when boarding and debarking a train.
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About Operation Lifesaver: Operation Lifesaver is a national nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and trespassing on or near railroad tracks. Since Operation Lifesaver’s founding, train collisions with pedestrians and motorists have declined by 83% in the United States, from over 12,000 in 1972 to 2,087 in 2013. The efforts of Operation Lifesaver have been a major contributor to this decline. Connecticut Operation Lifesaver, a chapter of the national organization, has undertaken a significant public awareness campaign over the past year, reaching close to 30,000 people directly, and more with public awareness messages on billboards, internet ads, and social media.
To learn more about Operation Lifesaver visit www.oli.org and the Connecticut Operation Lifesaver webpage .