Freight rail industry marks International Level Crossing Awareness Day

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) joined the international rail transportation community in educating the public about the dangers of railroad grade crossings during the 8th Annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) June 10, 2016.

 

Some of the nation’s largest freight railroads, more than 40 countries and numerous international railroad organizations and companies marked ILCAD with events throughout the country and around the world. This year’s theme, “Life is Worth Living,” focused on raising public awareness among senior citizens and persons with sensory and mobility restrictions.

“The freight rail industry believes there is no greater priority than safety and federal statistics show rail safety has been dramatically improving over the past three decades with a decrease in grade-crossing collisions in 2015,” said AAR President and Chief Executive Officer Edward Hamberger. “Unfortunately, there are still too many fatalities that occur at grade crossings and virtually all of them are preventable. Grade-crossing safety is an ongoing focus, but freight railroads support initiatives, like ILCAD, that are designed to focus people’s attention on the inherent dangers around grade crossings.”

Statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) show that U.S. grade-crossing collisions fell by 10.1 percent to 2,059 in 2015 from 2,291 in 2014; grade-crossing-related fatalities also dropped 7.6 percent to 244 from 264 in 2014 and trespass injuries fell 4.3 percent to 398 from 416 in 2014.

America’s railroads are partnering with local law enforcement agencies, community leaders and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), to bring attention to grade-crossing safety and awareness in more than 15 states. Some of this year’s events include: distribution of literature about railroad safety, a “Chalk One Up for Safety” drawing contest, “Officer on a Train” rides and presentations from OLI that feature the “See Tracks? Think Train!” campaign, developed in conjunction with AAR. Educating the public about grade-crossing safety, remaining active on the FRA’s grade-crossing task force and working closely with state transportation departments are all preventative steps that railroads are taking to bring the industry closer to the goal of zero grade crossing fatalities.

The ILCAD Campaign was established in 2009 by the international railroad community in conjunction with various highway organizations, the European Commission and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe to raise awareness among road users and pedestrians of the risks at grade crossings.

 

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