Lxinfo - The Americas

Mankato, Minnesota: UP and Operation Lifesaver promote railway safety
Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and Minnesota Operation Lifesaver organised train rides for 400 people from Mankato to get across rail safety messages concerning level crossing safety and trespass issues. The awareness drive on June 29th, 2011 utilised a train equipped with head-end cameras from which the images captured from a train driver’s perspective were relayed to the train’s passenger accommodation. (June 30th, 2011)

Ottawa, Ontario: Operation Lifesaver cancels rail safety conference
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Operation Lifesaver Canada has cancelled its Public-Rail Safety Conference, scheduled for September 13th & 14th, 2011. (June 29th, 2011)

Sao Paulo, Brazil: Attorney General orders improvements at multiple crossings
The federal Attorney General has ordered that improvements at multiple level crossings must be made so that they meet minimum standards. 14 of the level crossings deemed critical are located in the cities of Jaú, Dois Córregos, Torrinha and Brotas. The civil action requires that that immediate action is taken to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians. The parties that are required to take action within 30 days at the 14 crossings with critical deficiencies are the municipalities and the railway concessionaires ALL América Latina Logística SA, and ALL América Latina Logística Malha Paulista SA. There are an additional 16 level crossings where a plan setting-out intended remedial action is required within 60 days. The need for action has been determined by the safety regulator, ANTT.		Measures that need to be taken include ensuring that train horns are sounded as required, clearing vegetation obstructing sight-lines, renewing and improving signage and in some cases installation of active controls. Failure to take action as required can incur a penalty of BRL 30,000 per day in respect of the critical crossings and a like sum if the remedial plan for the other 16 crossings is not submitted as required. (June 28th, 2011)

Entre Rios de Minas, Brazil: Three killed in collision with bus
Three people were killed and a further 30 injured when the bus on which they were travelling was hit by a train on a level crossing in Campos das Vertentes, Minas Gerais. The accident which occurred on June 22nd, 2011 is subject to an on-going police investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision with the bus on which most passengers were children travelling to school. Witnesses have said that the train horn was not sounded and that the lights on the locomotive were not illuminated as required. This is considered to be of particularly significant as fog was restricting visibility at the time of the accident.		It has also been said that the bus driver, who was killed in the accident, did not stop at the level crossing. A further unsubstantiated report has said that the train driver was possibly fatigued. (June 27th, 2011)

Fallon, Nevada: Trucker ploughs into side of passenger train, six dead
A collision between a truck and a train on the US Highway 95 automatic half-barrier equipped level crossing near Fallon, some 70 miles east of Reno, has left six people dead. The high consequence of this collision which occurred during the late morning of June 24th, 2011 was because the truck was driven into the side of a passenger train. A significant fire ensued leaving four passengers, a member of Amtrak’s staff and the truck driver dead. It has been confirmed that the active controls at the level crossing were functioning correctly at the time of the accident. The truck driver has been reported as having a string of road traffic convictions. Likewise, it has been reported that the trucking company operating the vehicle involved in the collision has received a number of recent citations relating to the condition of the vehicles they run. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation has been launched. However, other sources have confirmed that the lights protecting the level crossing at which the accident occurred were functioning correctly at the time of the accident and that the barriers were lowered.		These sources have also said that the crossing has no accident history over the past 20 years. Operation Lifesaver issued a statement following this accident which read: ”Our thoughts are with the families of the truck driver, the train's conductor, and the passengers who were affected by Friday's collision between a truck and Amtrak's California Zephyr. This incident underscores the importance of Operation Lifesaver's (www.oli.org) ongoing mission to reduce these deadly incidents through driver and pedestrian education. Because one out of every four vehicle-train collisions involves a large truck or other commercial motor vehicle, we developed our new Rail Safety for Professional Drivers e-Learning program to prepare truck drivers for the dangers present at crossings. We are reaching out to trucking companies across the U.S. so that they can take advantage of this critical safety tool for their drivers”. (June 24th & 27th, 2011)

Jacksonville, Florida: CSX reports on level crossing progress
CSX Transportation’s (CSX) annual report highlights the company’s initiatives to address risk arising at level crossings. The report references the company’s: High profile advertising campaigns to raise public awareness of potential hazards at level crossings The system-wide crossing sign programme that enables emergency personnel and motorists to quickly and accurately report vehicles stalled on a crossing Public safety outreach and support for Operation Lifesaver, a national education and awareness, in particular the Common Sense initiative launched in July 2009 Direct targeting of school and college audiences Redundant crossing closure initiative, with 234 eliminated so far The company’s Public Safety and Environment Management System Standard (PSEMS) to ensure regulatory compliance and minimise the effect of CSX’s operations on the environment and the communities in which the company operates. (June 24th, 2011)

Springfield, Illinois: Study suggests rail corridor consolidation
A study has identified a case for consolidation of the Norfolk Southern (NS) and Union Pacific (UP) rights-of-way through Springfield with a consequent reduction in the number of level crossings. With an estimated price tag of USD 318 million the study envisages the UP right-of-way eliminated with traffic diverted over the NS and Illinois & Midland tracks to the east of Springfield’s city centre. The switch of the UP and Amtrak services from the middle of Third Street to the South of the city centre will necessitate a series of grade separations on the NS corridor. The switch will allow faster train speeds, generate less traffic congestion and also deliver a consequential benefit of less train horn noise.		A driver for the study which is now being considered by city officials is the planned increase on rail traffic along the UP right-of-way through town. Increased Amtrak services and more freight, particularly inter-modal, are in prospect The study suggests that funding for the project is shared between federal and state, and the rail companies concerned. (June 23rd, 2011)

Scarborough, Ontario: Train horns may be silenced
Scarborough Community Council in Toronto is investigating options following a string of complaints from residents concerning train horn noise associated with the Beare Road level crossing. The objective, on which Transport Canada will have the final say, is to secure a quiet zone. However, progress is slow with nothing tangible to show from a survey in 2008 which identified required remedial measures. This lethargy has prompted the community council to engage with the City Council and ask the constituency Member of Parliament to raise the lack of progress through political channels. (June 23rd, 2011)

Williston, North Dakota: NDOL’s wrecked car promotes safe behaviour
North Dakota Operation Lifesaver (NDOL) has deployed a car, wrecked when it was hit by a train, to communicate the need for motorists to use level crossings properly. The wreck is used state-wide as a key to raising awareness of the risks of misusing level crossings. The rationale for NDOL’s visit to Williston is the spike in the number of incidents occurring in 2010 which increased state-wide by 40% over the figure recorded in 2009. For further information visit: www.ndsc.org/operationlifesaver or www.oli.org. (June 22nd, 2011)

Frankfort, Kentucky: Appeal Court upholds judgment in favour of railway
Kentucky’s Appeal Court has upheld a judgment that the Illinois Central Railroad Company (ICRR), a component of Canadian National’s operations in the United States, is not liable for an accident in which a train collided with a road vehicle on a passive level crossing. The Appeal Court hearing stems from a January 21st, 2010, Hickman Circuit Court judgment and verdict, which dismissed all claims against the ICRR in a level crossing accident in which an ICRR train collided with a pick-up truck. The accident in question occurred on August 17th, 2003, at the Tommy Via Road level crossing, in rural Hickman County. The truck driver, who had used the crossing numerous times, said that typically he crossed the railway without stopping unless he heard a train horn.		When the accident occurred this practice was followed with the truck driver approaching the passive public crossing at between 25 and 30 mph before slowing down in order to navigate a right turn and incline at the crossing. The railroad crossing intersects the road at nearly a right angle. While the motorist claimed he looked in both directions and didn’t hear a train horn. However, immediately before his truck was hit by the train, the motorist attempted to reverse clear of the railway. He was not successful. The original trial had appropriately considered and concluded that the ICRR had satisfied its obligations under applicable laws. (June 20th, 2011)

Bahia Blanca, Argentina: Level crossing collision mars a day’s fishing
Two men were injured, one fatally, when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a train on the Adela Corti level crossing on Highway 51. The two occupants were intent on a day’s fishing. However, this did not happen as a result of a failed attempt to race across the railway before the train arrived. (June 20th, 2011)

Bridgeview, Illinois: Ground broken for grade separation project
A ground-breaking ceremony has marked the start of construction of a new grade-separated crossing of the CSX Transportation (CSX) and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad’s tracks in Bridgeview. The location of the USD 27 million project is on 71st Street near the Toyota Park stadium (LXinfo March 2010). The ceremony on June 20th, 2011highlighted the role of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transport Efficiency (CREATE) programme in driving the grade-separation forward with a federal grant from the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) programme.		The new structure is being constructed by the Lorig Construction – Lindahl Brothers Inc. joint venture. (June 20th, 2011)

Washington, DC: TRB invites bids for Communicating Railroad-DOT mitigating strategies project
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) has invited bids for a 2-year USD 0.2 million research project titled “Communicating Railroad-DOT Mitigating Strategies”. This project which has an anticipated start date of October 1st, 2011 is an element of the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) which follows on from SHRP2 Project R16 which set out to identify and develop strategies and institutional arrangements that could produce cooperative relationships between railway companies and public agencies and to develop model agreements. These model agreements and best practices for coordinating on public highway projects were created as a tool-box that both parties could use through the project delivery cycle. With the conclusion of the project, there is an immediate need to communicate and pilot-test the findings so as to facilitate their implementation. Based on the published research report from Project R16, there is a need to establish a joint committee or “community of interest” to share best practices and distribute model processes. This “community of interest” will ideally capture the interest of the most innovative members of both highway agencies and railway companies. This “community of interest” should meet on a regular basis to update model agreement language and communicate successful practices and lessons learned. The need to find “champion-pairings” of one or more railways and public agencies willing to successfully pilot test model agreements resulting from Project R16 has also been identified. The research resulting from Project R16 includes examples of individual public agencies and railway companies that successfully teamed to expedite the project agreement process, suggesting that this process can be successfully implemented on a broad scale. Building upon those experiences, SHRP 2 seeks to engage other public agency and railway company pairs to test and improve their project coordination efforts utilizing the findings from Project R16.		In addition to Class One railways, regional Class two freight railways should be included in the scope of this project, as these entities are expected to also team with public agencies to implement highway-rail projects. Thus, the new project for which bids are invited seeks to: Create, establish, and maintain a joint committee or “community of interest” to share best practices and distribute model processes Identify and recruit “champion-pairings” (at least one state Department of Transportation (DOT) and one Class one / two railway pairing) to apply and pilot test the results The R16 project report can be viewed at: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/shrp2/ SHRP2_S2-R16-RR-1.pdf . More information concerning the call for proposals which closes on July 18th, 2011 can be found at: http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/ TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3227. (June 14th, 2011)

Springfield. Illinois: ICC approves crossing upgrades & new bridges
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved a further group of level crossing upgrades. The approval requires the Chicago, Central and Pacific Railroad Company (CC&P) to replace existing warning signs and antiquated automatic signals with new automatic flashing light signals and barriers with constant warning circuitry at 12 level crossings located in Cook, DuPage, Kane and DeKalb Counties. Total cost for these safety improvements is USD 2.4 million. The ICC authorised spending approximately USD 2.1 million from the State’s Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to help pay for the projects. This will cover 90% of the cost. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDoT) will pay approximately USD 0.241 million which represents 10% of the total cost. CC&P will pay for all future maintenance costs for the automatic warning devices. The improvements will be made where the CC&P tracks intersect the following highways: Oak Ridge Avenue, Hillside; Powis Road, Bartlett; Hopps Road, South Elgin; Rohrsen Road, Burlington; Romke Road, Burlington; Lukens Road, Genoa; Moose Range Road, Genoa; Base Line Road, Burlington; Kinston Road, Kinston; Snake Road, Kingston; Myelle Road, Kingston; and Snake Road, Kingston. All of the above works are to be completed by June 13th, 2013. The ICC also approved a stipulated agreement between the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF), LaSalle County Highway Department, Allen Township Road District and IDoT providing for the installation of flashing light signals and barriers, and improvement of the highway approaches, at the East 25th Road crossing near Ransom, LaSalle County. The estimated cost to install the new automatic flashing light signals and barriers is USD 0.534 million of which 95% (not to exceed 0.507 million) is to be provided by the Illinois GCPF. Allen Township will provide excavation at a cost of approximately USD 0.113 million and the GCPF will pay the remaining cost of the approach work (not to exceed USD 0.093 million). All work must be completed within one year.		Additionally the ICC authorised the construction of a pedestrian overpass crossing of the Union Pacific Railroad’s (UP) rail corridor in Lombard, including approximately USD 1.9 million from the GCPF to pay approximately 60 of the total cost of the project, estimated to be USD 3.3 million. The new pedestrian bridges will improve access for the regional trail system and provide improved access to Lombard Common Park. The remaining costs will be paid by the Village, using local and federal revenue sources. The village also will assume maintenance responsibilities once the projects are complete. Contracts for the bridges are expected to be let in August 2011 and the project completed by December 31st, 2012. (June 13th, 2011)

Great Falls, Montana: 89 citations for failings in level crossing safety
International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) saw the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF), Operation Lifesaver Montana and state and local police officers mount a joint exercise in Great Falls to address level crossing misuse. Operation Lifesaver’s role was to promote awareness of the rules for the safe use of level crossings which, with leaflets handed-out leaflets to crossing users, before the police led blitz on June 9th, 2011.		The result of the exercise was that 89 motorists received citations for level crossing related offences despite the police presence being overt with flashing lights operating on police vehicles stationed at key level crossings across the city as BNSF ran shuttled locomotives back and forth to raise the number of level crossing closure cycles above that normally experienced in Great Falls. (June 12th, 2011)

Sarasota Springs, New York: Crossing safety on the agenda at city’s public safety day
Level crossing safety was on the agenda at the Sarasota Springs public safety day which resumed after a five-year break. The police, emergency services, Operation Lifesaver and others partnered to raise the awareness of children of risks to their safety. A particular target was children attending the city’s elementary schools and their parents who flocked to the June 12th, 2011 event. (June 12th, 2011)

Calhoun, Kentucky: Industrial park’s owners push for a bridge over CSX
Owners of the Four Star Industrial Park have signed off plans for the further development of the Four Star Industrial Park in Calhoun. Indeed, top of the list is a new bridge over CSX Transportation’s (CSX) tracks which bisect the 800 acres industrial park. The owners of the industrial park believe that they construct the over-bridge for between USD 1.5 and USD 2.0 million. Plans have been forwarded to CSX for their review and approval.		Four Star Industrial Park believes that new occupants will be attracted to the 415 acres presently sitting beyond the railway without a grade separate access. The preferred solution is for Southern Star Way to pass over the CSX right-of-way and connect with Pedler-McDonald Road. (June 9th, 2011)

Jemison: Alabama: State and Operation Lifesaver partner for ILCAD

Against the backdrop of level crossing safety having worsened in 2010, Alabama Operation Lifesaver and the Alabama Department of Public Safety marked the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) with an education initiative staged at the Calera Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.

The June 9th, 2011 event featured: displays, free train rides and an extensive range of other activities supporting the awareness-raising initiative..

(June 9th, 2011)

Washington, DC: AAR and Operation Lifesaver lend full support to ILCAD
Members of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) embraced the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) with vigour on June 9th, 2011. Speaking on behalf of AAR members AAR President and CEO said: “U.S. railroads operate the safest freight rail transportation system in the world and are honored to share their learning and experiences with the international community as we look to eliminate grade crossing accidents. For railroads, nothing is more important than the safety of our employees and the communities through which we operate.” “Saving lives knows no borders,” said Helen Sramek, president of Operation Lifesaver. “We are thrilled to join with our colleagues in the international rail safety community in supporting such an important event.” Major U.S. freight railroads will host ILCAD events across the U.S. ranging from Officer on a Train to public and private crossing sign inspection trips and level crossing closure meetings. Railways in the United States have a strong history of investing to address level crossing risk, ideally through crossing closures. With an annual budget running to several hundred million dollars to address the risks associated with level crossings. (June 9th, 2011)

	Helen Sramek, President, Operation Lifesaver	Ed Hamberger, President & CEO, AAR

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Operation Lifesaver marks ILCAD with launch of pro-driver challenge
Operation Lifesaver launched a new on-line campaign to raise truck drivers’ awareness of level crossings to mark the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). Statistics show that approximately 25% of level crossing collisions in the United States involve vehicles that require a Commercial Driver License (CDL) to operate them. To address this issue, Operation Lifesaver has launched a “new video game style online experience that prepares professional drivers for situations theycould face on the road”. Operation Lifesaver released the interactive on-line learning programme at press conferences in Pennsylvania and five other states across the United States., timed to coincide with ILCAD. Safety partners from trucking, state and local law enforcement agencies, and railway companies are supporting the programme. “Total highway-rail vehicle incidents and crashes involving CDL vehicles increased in 2010 from 2009,” said Operation Lifesaver President, Helen Sramek. “As the leader in highway-rail grade crossing safety education, Operation Lifesaver is pleased to offer trucking companies, independent drivers and other organizations the opportunity to use this state of the art safety program designed specifically for professional truck drivers,” Sramek said. Trucking industry representatives, law enforcement organizations and railroad companies joined Operation Lifesaver officials at events to launch the Rail Safety Challenge program in Alabama, California, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Texas, Sramek noted. Other Operation Lifesaver events to mark International Level Crossing Awareness Day were held throughout the week in a further 14 states. A preview of the Rail Safety for Professional Drivers e-Learning programme is available at http://bit.ly/kcFLL5. The e-Learning program was made possible by a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. The e-Learning programme’s simulated driving environment allows drivers to work independently and exposes them to worst-case scenarios that require quick thinking and critical decision-making. “Our goal as we launch this new safety program is to ensure that every CDL driver has the information they need to safely cross a highway-rail grade crossing, every single time,” concluded Sramek. Individual drivers can go on-line to take the rail safety challenge at http://oli.org/e-learning-survey/. There is no charge for individual professional drivers to participate. The course does not capture scores, names or email addresses, only the number of people who complete the challenge. Large companies who wish to incorporate this program into their training should contact Operation Lifesaver at 1-800-537-6224. (June 9th, 2011)

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Police mount crossing blitzes for ILCAD
The Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) conducted safety and enforcement blitzes and accompany local law enforcement aboard freight trains on June 9th, 2011, the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD). "Ignoring signage at railway crossings and trespassing on railway property creates significant unnecessary personal risks, often resulting in fatalities and personal injuries," said Ray Holman, Deputy Chief - U.S. Operations, Canadian Pacific Police Service. "Awareness helps prevent tragic consequences from occurring and creates a safer situation for us all." In 2010, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recorded 2,013 crossing incidents, resulting in 262 fatalities and 836 serious injuries. From 1980 through 2010, the number of grade crossing collisions fell 81%; injuries associated with collisions fell 79%; and fatalities fell 69%. The FRA also recorded 439 trespasser fatalities in 2010, an increase of 5% over 2009. The numbers do not include the many near collisions that take place every year. The Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS) is a railroad police agency. CPPS officers are peace officers as defined by Statute in the 13 states where Canadian Pacific (CP) operates. The CPPS plays an important role in public safety and enforcement in the communities where CP operates. CPPS officers typically promote public safety through trespasser abatement patrols, enforcement of traffic laws at railway crossings and participation in education activities to raise awareness of community safety issues. (June 9th, 2011)

Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil: 15 injured when train collides with bus
At least 15 people were injured when the bus in which they were travelling was hit by a train. The circumstances behind the accident were that the bus skidded and ran down onto the railway adjacent to a road-over-rail bridge in Sao Caetano do Sul, Sao Paulo, on June 9th, 2011. Then the overturned bus was hit by a commuter train which was slowing as the driver had made an emergency brake application when he saw that the bus was obstructing the tracks. The actions of the train driver have been credited with substantially reducing the number and severity of injuries sustained by those travelling on the bus. (June 9th, 2011)

Ottawa, Ontario: Operation Lifesaver proud to support ILCAD

Operation Lifesaver Canada has said it is proud to support the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) on June 9th, 2011 with a strengthened focus on behavioural safety at level crossings. In particular Operation Lifesaver Canada has targeted parents, their children, teachers and emergency responders as part of a more than 40 country event to tackle misuse of level crossings.

Since 1980 the number of level crossing collisions with road vehicles in Canada has fallen dramatically from over 800 annually to approximately 200 in 2010. While this reduction speaks to the success of safety efforts undertaken in that time, there still remains unnecessary loss of life and injury with 79 fatalities and 47 serious injuries occurring in 2010 as a result of crossing collisions and trespassing on rail property.

In raising awareness of the need to act safely at level crossings, Operation Lifesaver ddraws attention to the wide variety of interactive educational materials available for free to the public, including:

An interactive site for kids, www.olkids.ca, which includes safety pamphlets, Rover the Railway Rabbit cartoons and stories, interactive videos and online activity books
Safety brochures for specific audiences, including parents, teachers, school bus and truck drivers, commuters, cyclists, emergency responders, and snow mobile and all-terrain vehicle drivers available at www.operationlifesaver.ca
An interactive, online safety education site for new drivers available at www.traintodrive.net
Safety-related updates on Twitter (www.twitter.com/oplifesaver) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/oplifesaver)

(June 9th, 2011)

Paragould, Arkansas: Damage to train and truck in level crossing collision
A Union Pacific Railroad (UP) struck a truck on a level crossing with the locomotive sustaining damage. The collision occurred on a level crossing on County Highway 835 adjacent to the intersection with US highway 49, three miles north of Paragould, Greene County. The truck driver has said that he turned off US49 and drove onto the passive level crossing without being able to see if a train was approaching because of glare from the sun. The truck driver was shaken in the collision which wrecked the truck’s semi-trailer which until a few minutes before the accident had been loaded with steel plate. (June 8th, 2011)

Milton: CSX blocks community plans for an additional level crossing
CSX Transportation’s (CSX) policy that additional level crossings will not be allowed and redundant crossings closed stands in the way of plans to link the existing Blackwater State Heritage Trail running from Milton from to a point one mile south of the CSX tracks with a new trail extending from this point to the Bagdad Mill Site Park presently under construction. Santa Rosa County officials are proposing an active crossing andbelieve that it remains worthwhile pursuing CSX to secure agreement to the new level crossing as it can cite examples where crossings on leisure trails have been safely operating for many years. (June 8th, 2011)

Springdale, Arkansas: Arkansas & Missouri Railroad sponsors OL fundraiser
The Arkansas and Midland Railroad sponsored the First Annual Arkansas Operation Lifesaver Fundraiser and Photo Opportunity. Events over the July2nd -3rd, 2011 weekend will include a train show and swap meet with more than 30 vendors, a night-time photo opportunity, a railway memorabilia auction and entertainment at the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad’s depot. Additionally, members of the public were able to tour the locomotive maintenance facility and join a train trip from Springdale to Chester with a track-side lunch at Winslow. (June 8th, 2011)

Casey, New York: City Council offers to contribute to a grade separatio
The City of Casey has confirmed that it is offering the state’s Department of Transport a contribution towards the cost of constructing a highway underpass. The rationale for the offer is that the development of the Lynbrook – Lyndhurst area was planned with the intent of providing a level crossing on Aylmer Road. However, this hasn’t been built as there is now a policy that additional level crossings will be authorised for safety reasons. With the level crossing blocked, the city is prepared to contribute USD 1.6 million, the estimated cost of the level crossing and associated highway works, towards the underpass project proposed by the Department of Transport. However, before the underpass can be built funding totalling USD 8 million has to be put in place.		The City wants to see the underpass constructed now to allow works to be undertaken while the Lynbrook train station is constructed. His will allow early introduction of a bus service linking Lynbrook and Lyndhurst with the new train station and improved response times from the emergency services (June 7th, 2011)

Waverly, Nebraska: RTSD budget provides for a quiet zone
The Lincoln and Lancaster counties Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD) budget of USD 11.7 million includes funds for a quiet zone in Waverly. Waverly will get to eliminate routine train-horn noise associated with level crossings when the project costing USD 1.2 million is completed. Of the allocated funds 25% are required for highway works at the 148th street level crossing. This crossing was originally proposed for closure and replacement by a road-over-rail bridge. However, this project was abandoned as a result of opposition within the community and concerns that the overpass would have a significant negative impact on businesses in the vicinity of the grade-separation. (June 7th, 2011)

Boston, Massachusetts: MBTA opposed to a new level crossing
MBTA, the Boston commuter rail agency has taken the stance that no new level crossings, means just that. However, this has upset proponents of the Neponset Greenway trail who want a new level crossing to allow a one mile extension of the trail which cuts across the Mattapan T high-speed tram line. While current plans call for a new section of trail to link the Pope John Paul II and Hyde parks. Rather than have the level crossing, MBTA maintains that the trail should parallel the rail line rather than cross it. However, this would prevent the full benefit of the trail being available to Mattapan residents. (June 7th, 2011)

Carbondale, Pennsylvania: Crossing upgrade contract awarded
The city of Carbondale has awarded a USD 0.236 million contract to Railroad Signal International to increase protection by installing automatic half-barriers at the Dundaff Street level crossing. Additionally, a concrete roadway surface will be installed within a project which is funded by a USD 0.650 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.		Work will start when the necessary approvals of the infrastructure owner (Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority), the railway operator (Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad) and the city’s own engineers. (June 6th, 2011)

Raleigh, North Carolina: NCDOT announces crossing consolidation project
North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has announces plans to consolidate level crossings in Waynesville. The previously agreed scheme eliminates three level crossings in exchange for a new crossing. Since 1993, NCDOT has sponsored closure of more than 170 public level crossings. (June 6th, 2011)

Normal, Illinois: What’s to be done with the Constitution Trail level crossing?
What’s to be done with the Constitution Trail level crossing is an issue facing officials in Normal where higher-speed rail service will more than triple the number of trains from the ten per day operating at lower speeds through town. The expectation is that the crossing will be replaced by a grade separated route across the railway. However, what can be justified remains up in the air, as does the question of how much funding the state will be prepared to make available. (June 6th, 2011)

Buenos Aires, Argentina: progress towards grade separation evident
The project to create grade separated routes across the railway in Buenos Aires is showing very visible progress with the installation of railway-over-road bridge decks. The locations of these works are at the intersection of the railway with Avenidas Juan B. Justo and Godoy Cruz in the Soler district and additionally on Avenida Manuela Pedraza. The bridge deck for the Avenida Manuela Pedraza is being assembled while that at the intersection of Avenidas Juan B. Justo and Godoy Cruz has been put I ime of the accidenton behalf of the city council which is funding the works jointly with the federal Ministry of Urban Development. (June 4th, 2011)		New bridge deck in place

Hartford, Connecticut: Metro-North will bill motorist for crossing collision
A woman whose vehicle was hit by a train can expect a bill from commuter rail operator Metro-North whose train was involved. The woman and a child who was travelling in the vehicle which caused damage to Metro-North’s train were both injured in the collision. A preliminary Metro-North investigation has confirmed that the train which hit the car on a passive private level crossing had sounded its horn correctly, a fact that has been disputed by family members who witnessed the collision over which they have rights. (June 2nd, 2011)

Shelton, Washington: Timber company receives upgrade funding
Washington’s Utilities and Transportation Commission (WaUTC) has provided the Simpson Timber Company with USD 15,000 to address risk at three level crossings in Shelton. The work which Simpson’s are taking forward includes replacing incandescent lamps with light-emitting diodes (LED), installing electronic audible alarms, improving power-off lights and also replacing cross-buck signs. Similar works are being progressed at a crossing in Dayton with USD 4,800 of funding provided by WaUTC.		The above works were scheduled for completion no later than June 15th, 2011. The WaUTC rationale for funding the switch to LEDs was to improve conspicuity in adverse weather. (June 1st, 2011)

Washington, DC: Level crossing fatalities increase in first quarter
Overall the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has reported continued improvement in safety on railways in the United States. This improvement reflects progress in reducing risk that is within the control of railway companies. However, the overall improvement is marred by the 155 fatalities occurring in the first quarter of 2011 that are largely beyond the direct control of railway businesses. These fatalities relate to level crossings and trespass. Level crossing related fatalities increased by 12.5% to 72 and trespasser fatalities rose by 2.5% to 83. (June 1st, 2011)

Los Angeles, California: Metrolink to improve high-risk level crossing
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board, operators of the Metrolink system has approved the expenditure of USD 6 million to reduce risk at Doran Street level crossing in Glendale. This crossing is said to pose the greatest risk of those on the Metrolink system. The project will include highway improvements to allow safe use of the crossing by larger vehicles, enhanced light controls and new barriers. (June 1st, 2011)

Omaha, Nebraska: UP publishes second Sustainability and Citizenship report
Union Pacific Railroad (UP) has published its second annual Sustainability and Citizenship Report highlighting the company's commitment to environmental stewardship, safety, employee training and development, customer and community support, shareholder value and the highest standards of corporate governance and ethics. Coverage of level crossing issues is integral to the report which records that UP reduced crossing accidents by 34% from 2000 to 2010. The company reiterates its commitment to work with federal, state and local officials to promote safety at level crossings. Reducing collisions at level grade crossings is a key industry goal. UP draws on Association of American Railroads (AAR) statistics to record that from 1980 through 2010 level crossing collisions fell 81%, injuries fell 79% and fatalities fell 69% UP commits to working towards improving infrastructure and collaborating with state and local governments and law enforcement personnel to reduce collisions. The Sustainability and Citizenship report stresses the importance of the UP CARES programme and working with Operation Lifesaver. To quote from the report: “Caring, collaboration and community” best describe Union Pacific’s public safety efforts, and these traits are embodied in the railroad’s public safety initiative, UP CARES (Union Pacific Crossing Accident Reduction Education and Safety). Union Pacific engages in safety outreach through community events, media, Union Pacific special agents, employee resource groups and Operation Lifesaver. UP CARES events offer opportunities to interact one-on-one with a range of community stakeholders to communicate key safety messages and change unsafe behavior. UP CARES events generally encompass several elements: Grade crossing education and enforcement, during which motorists who have violated rail crossing signs and laws are educated about the dangers of such actions Safety trains that provide local law enforcement, media and public officials with the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab and see traffic violations from a locomotive engineer’s point of view. This also allows Union Pacific to connect with community leaders and help them better understand the railroad’s safety focus Communication blitzes, which educate the public via community events and media outreach. For example, Union Pacific often sponsors sporting events in its communities, communicating safety messages on highly visible signs in sports arenas and on giveaways such as mini footballs or basketballs.		Media outreach coincides with safety trains in Union Pacific communities. Union Pacific helped create and now collaborates with Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit safety education and outreach organization created in 1972 to end collisions, deaths and injuries at intersections of train tracks and roadways and on railroads’ rights of way. Today, Operation Lifesaver is an independent program that works cooperatively with government and private industries to educate the public on the importance of railroad safety. Union Pacific volunteers discuss the importance of railroad safety with school and community groups. We conducted more than 7,300 UP CARES outreach and training events reaching more than 450,000 people in 2010, compared to more than 6,000 programs reaching more than 378,000 people in local communities in 2009. The report highlights the success of the North Platte Service Unit, which covers most of the 1,067 miles of track Union Pacific operates in Nebraska, celebrated more than 400 days without a public grade-crossing collision. The Union Pacific Railroad Police teamed up with the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office to remind motorists of level crossing laws as part of UP CARES initiative.Through this partnership, an officer riding on the train radios an officer positioned near the crossing to issue citations to motorists. The area was chosen by the UP CARES task force because of reports from both Union Pacific employees and local officials of repeated violations by motorists (June 1st, 2011)