Running a Rail Crossing is a SNAP!^{^{^{^Ž}}}

train.jpg (103405 bytes) Rail crossing deaths in the United States are a serious problem. The United States Federal Railroad Administration is responsible for studying issues related to train safety. According to the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration,

Every 90 minutes, a vehicle and a train collide at one of the United States' 290,000 highway-rail grade crossings. In 1994, more than 600 people died and more than 1,900 were injured as a result of such crashes. During 1995, 152 collisions resulting in 12 fatalities at highway-rail grade crossings and 17 trespasser deaths occurred in North Carolina. The tragedy is that most of these deaths were preventable.

CSX, a major U.S. Railroad, recently stated in its web site that,

Fully nine of every ten rail-related fatalities result from highway-rail collisions or involve illegal trespassing on railroad private property. More than 50 percent of highway-rail collisions occur when motorists try to beat a train at grade crossings fully equipped with automatic warning devices. http://www.csxt.com/docs/safety/grade.html .

The Federal government has spent much time and money on the problem. In a recent U.S. Government study, it was reported that,

The federal Rail-Highway Crossing Program that began in 1974 has probably saved 7600 lives. However, most of the gains came in the first 10 years of the program. Since the Rail-Highway Crossing Program began in 1974, the federal government has appropriated nearly $5 billion (in constant 1994 dollars) to improve safety at railroad crossings. (Railroad Safety: Status of Efforts to Improve Railroad Crossing Safety (U.S. General Accounting Office, Washington, DC 20548-0001)(Aug. 1995) [GA1.13:rced-95-191])

>>>>> Click here for live radio from the Burlington Northern, Santa Fe, Union Pacific and Amtrak in Dallas, TX <<<<<

Media Presentation (F=M*A)

The use of photo enforcement is just beginning in the U. S. Grade crossing photo enforcement consists of fully automated enforcement systems that create photographic evidence of vehicles crossing railroad tracks illegally. Systems usually combine a microprocessor, high-speed industrial camera and the sensor technology to create a round-the-clock grade crossing enforcement system.

Activation of the camera system should only occur when a vehicle has been detected entering the grade crossing after the flashing lights and ringing bells have been activated and the crossing gate arms have started to descend. The system should be dormant at all other times. Upon detection of a grade crossing violation, a series of two photographs is usually taken.

The initial photograph is taken upon the vehicle's initial entry into the crossing, and a second picture is taken at a second point to show the vehicle's illegal progression through the crossing. Each photograph should have superimposed data that contains the time, date and location of the violation, along with how many seconds after the flashing red-lights were activated that the vehicle illegally entered the grade crossing.

Los Angeles MTA

According to the LA/MTA web site:

The Los Angeles MTA Board of Directors initiated the Metro Blue Line Grade Crossing Safety Program in 1993. This program was designed to evaluate various means to discourage or prevent illegal movements being made by vehicles at grade crossing which are causing train/auto accidents. The safety program is also concerned with improvements that will reduce train/pedestrian accidents. The MTA is applying innovative equipment and methods developed for street and highway traffic applications. These engineering improvements address the unique characteristics of MBL grade crossings and improve public safety.

Starting in late 1992, the MTA project team carried out five demonstration projects involving the use of photo enforcement equipment at grade crossings. Citations were issued as part of three demonstration projects. For these projects, large reductions in the number of grade crossing violations were measured after photo enforcement equipment was installed and citations issued. For example, at the Compton Boulevard crossing, the rate of violations dropped from approximately one violation every hour to one violation every 12 hours. Based on the positive demonstration project results, the MTA elected to proceed with the installation of photo enforcement equipment at 17 crossings. The MTA also initiated modifications to the California Vehicle Code which make citations recorded by photo enforcement equipment subject to the same procedures as citations for other moving violations.

Photo-enforcement is currently operational at all 17 crossings. Since September 1995 nearly 1,500 citations have been issued for grade crossing violations at these crossings.

In the News...

Tuesday March 7, 3:40 pm Eastern Time

Company Press Release

SOURCE: Metrolink

'Trucker On A Train' to Give Industry Firsthand Look at How to Avoid Collisions

Media Invited to Ride-Along on Special Train in Glendale/Burbank Area With Truckers, Law Enforcement and Special Camera

LOS ANGELES, March 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Truck vs. Metrolink train collisions have increased dramatically over the past few months with five separate incidents occurring locally since October 1999. As a result, Metrolink is targeting its safety outreach efforts to the trucking industry.

Members of the media are invited to ride on a special train along with professional truck drivers to witness what the engineer observes daily as people attempt to beat a train, how difficult it is to stop quickly and, how a truck driver can avoid a collision with a train.

Operation Lifesaver, a national nonprofit rail education group, is coordinating the event with Metrolink. A special camera will be set up in the front train giving riders the same view of the tracks as has the engineer operating the train. Members of the Glendale and Burbank police departments will also be on board and will be citing any motorists crossing illegally through highway-rail crossings, or pedestrians trespassing on the tracks.

    WHAT:  "Trucker on a Train" ride-along with professional truck drivers and
           law enforcement, with a special camera feature that gives an
           up-close look at how engineers see the tracks.  On display will be
           the mangled engine of a Metrolink train involved in a recent train
           vs. big rig collision.

    WHEN:  Thursday, March 9, 2000

           9:30 a.m.  View mangled Metrolink train locomotive involved in a
           recent train vs. big rig collision.  Metrolink Central Maintenance
           Facility, 1555 San Fernando Rd. (at Future St.), Glassell Park.

           10:30 a.m.  "Trucker on the Train" departs from Glendale Metrolink
           Station, 400 W. Cerritos Ave. (near San Fernando Rd), Glendale.

CONTACT: Peter Hidalgo, 213-452-0233, or Francisco Oaxaca, 213-452-0255, both of Metrolink Media Relations.

SOURCE: Metrolink

Texas

In 1996, the Texas legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, a bill requiring the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to conduct a pilot program assessing the value of using cameras at rail crossings. TxDOT contracted with The Texas Transportation Institute (Texas A&M University) to assist. Six locations were selected. Two each in Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston. Contracts were awarded to three companies for the one year pilot.The results of the pilot are now being reviewed by The Texas Transportation Institute.

ttilogo.jpg (11419 bytes)

Texas Transportation Institute

The Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), established in 1950, is one of the 16 members of the Texas A&M University System. The headquarters of TTI - a separate state agency - are located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station.

DuPage Co., IL

The DuPage Railroad Safety Council is a non-for-profit organization made up of railroad officials, government officials, engineers, educators and private citizens who have a deep concern for safety at railroad crossings. The followingt was extracted from their web page: http://www.drsc.com/enforce.html

The DuPage Railroad Safety Council's Enforcement Subcommittee recognizes three facts:

1) Almost all crashes at grade crossings result from violations of the law by the motorist or pedestrian involved.

2) Consistent enforcement of the law is indispensable in curbing violations at grade crossings.

3) Enforcement works best as a deterrent when combined with education, rather than when conducted in isolation.

The DuPage Railroad Safety Council (DRSC) has taken the following enforcement initiatives:

1) Local police departments have been asked to begin or step up enforcement at grade crossings, and many are doing so. To encourage enforcement efforts, the DRSC will recognize the state's top law enforcement agencies when it comes to ticketing violators.

2) Starting Jan. 1, 1996, the penalty for grade crossing violators is a mandatory fine of $500 or 50 hours of community service. The DRSC supported the bill when it was proposed in 1995 and supports the statute raising the penalties.

3) "Cop-in-a-box" automated photo enforcement at grade crossings begins in DuPage County during 1997. The DRSC asked Senator Beverly Fawell to introduce a bill authorizing a pilot program using "cop-in-a-box." S.B. 1154 passed the General Assembly and was signed into law by Governor Edgar in 1996. Tickets will be mailed to motorists whose violations are captured on film at at three high-incident crossings during 1997. http://www.drsc.com/enforce.html

APART

Active People Against Railroad Tragedies (APART) is an organization dedicated to railroad safety. They work with federal, state and local government officials, the railroad companies and private citizens to define problem areas and implement changes that will make railroads safer for everyone.

US Department of Transportation
Federal Railroad Administration
Office of Research and Development
Program Summaries, 1992 to 1996

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Research

Highway-rail grade crossings represent a major hazard to motor vehicle drivers despite continuing efforts to improve safety. With the advent of proposed high-speed rail passenger trains, grade crossings may also pose a significant risk to rail passengers. The Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Office of Research and Development is conducting research to improve highway-railroad grade crossing safety. This research includes innovative warning signs, more reliable active signal systems, techniques to increase the conspicuity of trains, improved acoustic warning systems, and technologies applicable to the needs of high speed rail passenger service. To help identify additional research needs, the FRA recently sponsored a comprehensive workshop as required by the US DOT Action Plan for Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety. The goal of the workshop was to develop an intermodal consensus of grade crossing safety research needed to reduce accidents and fatalities by fifty percent (50%) over the next ten years. New initiatives identified by the workshop include enforcement and education activities as well as a greater emphasis on the human response to grade crossing warning device applications.

Background

From 1978 to 1993, wide ranging, multidisciplinary safety improvement efforts sponsored and performed by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in partnership with various other agencies and industry groups resulted in a 64 percent reduction in the number of grade crossing accidents.

To ensure that safety improvements continue and that potential new risks of high-speed passenger service are adequately addressed, the FRA developed the US Department of Transportation Action Plan for Rail-Highway Grade Crossing Safety. The goal of the Action Plan is to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in accidents and fatalities at grade crossings over the next 10 years.

Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Research Needs Workshop

The Research Needs Workshop was held on April 10 -13, 1995. Seventy-five delegates participated in the workshop and identified ninety (92) grade crossing safety related research needs. The results suggest that cost-effective research can be conducted without large expenditures of public funds. Results also indicate most research needs apply to high speed rail and the area of human response to grade crossing applications should receive increased emphasis in the future. Results address relationships among the identified research needs, the Action Plan and current research being conducted.

Safety of Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: Research Needs Workshop Volume I
Final Report - January 1996 DOT/FRA/ORD-95/14.1 DOT-VNTSC-FRA-95-12.1

Safety of Highway-Railroad Grade Crossings: Research Needs Workshop Volume II - Appendices
Final Report - January 1996 DOT/FRA/ORD-95/14.2 DOT-VNTSC-FRA-95-12.2

Research Goals and Projects

GOAL #1 - SUPPORT CRITICAL GRADE CROSSING SAFETY INITIATIVES

The FRA Office of Research and Development will provide technical support and assistance to the Fox River Grove (FRG) Task Force which was established to address issues resulting from the October 1995 school bus/train accident in Illinois. Efforts undertaken by the task force will focus on crossings that exhibit characteristics similar to the FRG crossing, i.e., crossings with potential highway traffic signal integration, geometric, and warning time.

Three interrelated safety issues were highlighted by the FRG accident:

Integration of highway traffic signals at grade crossings

Safe integration of highway signals at grade crossings must involve appropriate consideration of their location relative to the crossing, and the timing of their signals relative to the activation grade crossing warning devices and arrival of the train.
Geometry of grade crossings
Geometric characteristics of grade crossings that can influence their safety include the distance between the traffic light and the crossing, limited sight distance, complex intersections near the crossing, acute angle of intersection between the rail tracks and the road, and "humpback" crossings which can cause long vehicles to become grounded.
Grade crossing warning device activation times
Grade crossing warning devices should provide the same, safe warning time to drivers regardless of train speed. However, many older devices may provide only a fixed warning time which may be too short if not properly calibrated for changes in train speeds.

To support the potential needs of the task force, the FRA Office of Research and Development will develop detailed assessment procedures for conducting research to address key issues raised by the FRG accident:
Based on the nature and extent of problems identified, recommendations for remedial action will be developed. It is expected that this effort will require the participation of many stakeholder groups. In addition, the FRA Office of Research and Development will support the translation of these recommendations into guidelines for implementing remedial actions.

GOAL #2 - IMPROVE DRIVER WARNING SYSTEMS

Research projects aimed at improving warnings to drivers at grade crossings include evaluation of various lighting, reflectorization and acoustical systems. The FRA has sponsored field investigations of illumination systems for enhancing the visibility of crossings and trains at active and passive grade crossings and is currently developing guidelines for illuminating grade crossings. Large sample data on optical reflectivity of railroad freight car walls is also needed to determine the light intensity needed to provide motorists with sufficient warning.

Conspicuity of Locomotives
This study investigated the performance of currently available external visual alerting devices for installation on locomotives. These devices were evaluated in terms of of their ability to assist the motorist to: (1) detect the approaching train, (2) recognize the potential of the hazard, and (3) estimate its approach, and thus avoid a collision with a train at a highway-railroad grade crossing. Controlled field testing was conducted to measure the effect of selected alerting light systems on observers. In-service railroad test operational experience for locomotives equipped with alerting lights, used in combination with the standard headlight, was also evaluated in terms of capital costs, maintenance, operational concerns, and accident data. The results of this study supported Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rulemaking for external alerting lights on locomotives. The report can be obtained from NTIS by requesting: Safety of Highway-railroad Grade Crossings: Use of Auxiliary External Alerting Devices to Improve Locomotive Conspicuity DOT/FRA/ORD-95/13 DOT-VNTSC-FRA-95-10.
Freight Car Reflectorization
This study investigated the performance of currently available retroreflective material for installation on freight cars. These materials were evaluated in terms of their ability to assist the motorist to: (1) detect the freight car in a grade crossing, and (2) recognize the potential of the hazard, and thus avoid a collision with a train at a highway-railroad grade crossing. Controlled laboratory testing was conducted to measure the effect of selected retroreflective patterns mounted on freight cars on observers. Nationwide in-service railroad test operational experience for freight cars equipped with a selected pattern of retroreflective material was also evaluated in terms of degradation of brightness, operational concerns, capital costs, maintenance, and accident data. The results of this study are scheduled to be released in mid 1997.
Railroad Horn Research
This comprehensive research program has included studies on the acoustic characteristics of railroad horns, the effectiveness of railroad horns and the investigation of a new concept, the wayside horn. The objective of future studies is to determine the optimum performance of audible warning systems.

Study of the Acoustic Characteristics of Railroad Horn Systems
This study presents the results of acoustic measurements performed at nationwide selected sites to determine the acoustic characteristics of several types of railroad horn systems. Data obtained includes frequency spectrum, directivity, drop-off rate, maximum A-weighted sound level and sound exposure level.
The Effectiveness of Railroad Horn Systems
This study addresses the effectiveness of railroad horn systems and their resulting impact on the community noise environment. The insertion loss and interior noise levels of several motor vehicles were measured to determine if the warning signals created by railroad horn systems provide effective warning to the motorist. Acoustic data were obtained for a horn system through wayside measurements of in-service locomotives to determine the community noise exposure.
Field Evaluation of a Wayside Horn
The current study represents an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of auditory warnings designed to promote awareness of approaching trains. A stationary horn concept (or wayside horn) located at the grade crossing was evaluated to learn whether it would reduce community noise impact without adversely affecting motorist safety, compared to a train horn. This report documents the results of two surveys comparing the community noise impact of a wayside horn to a train horn and an analysis of motorist behavior at the grade crossing. Acoustic data were also collected to describe the sound characteristics of each warning signal. Implementation issues that will impact safety and community noise were also identified. These issues included: activation method, hardware design and standardization.
Optimal Acoustic Warning Systems
Audible warning devices such as train horns are effective warning devices for enhancing grade crossing safety. The most common method of increasing the effectiveness of an audible warning device is to increase its sound pressure level (SPL), but the increased SPL can result in an unacceptable noise impact on surrounding communities and on locomotive train crews. An alternative approach is to change the spectral content, duration and/or repetition rate of the signal. Related studies have concluded that this approach may result in an increase in human perception.

The objective of this project is to determine the optimum performance of audible warning systems at grade crossings in terms of sound pressure level, frequency and repetition rate, while minimizing community noise impact. This information will be integrated to develop the functional specifications necessary to achieve an optimal acoustic signal to provide appropriate warning to the motor vehicle driver to avoid a collision with a train at a grade crossing. This research is scheduled to begin in mid 1997 and be completed in mid 1998.

Illumination Guidelines

GOAL #3 - IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE OF DRIVER AND CREW BEHAVIOR

A significant result of the Research Needs Workshop was the identification of the need to perform driver behavior research as a basis for improving warning device effectiveness.

Driver Behavior at Grade Crossings
This research activity will collect information by performing controlled human response tests of driver behavior at crossings. The study will involve the use of driving simulators to create highly controlled environments in which the influence on driver behavior of key factors such as warning device characteristics, roadway geometry, visibility of trains, motor vehicle and train speeds, etc. can be isolated and characterized. Such studies will be performed in conjunction with controlled field tests and video observations of driver behavior at highway-railroad grade crossings to validate and extend the simulator results.
Causal Analysis of Grade Crossing Accidents
In this effort, the FRA will combine an analysis of grade crossing accident data with human response studies to develop a causal model of driver behavior at highway-railroad grade crossings. The model would address information needs and decision processes of drivers at both active and passive crossings. This investigation will develop a description of the basis for safe and unsafe (risk taking) behaviors of drivers at crossings under these varying conditions. This model can then be used to assist in identifying more effective countermeasures to avoid collisions at crossings.
Signal Detection Theory Analysis
This approach to the analysis of driver behavior considers accidents at grade crossings to be the natural outcome of human information processing and decision-making. At a grade crossing, a driver uses sensory information from the train (a "signal" which consists of visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory elements) and the area surrounding the crossing (background "noise") to judge the proximity or position of the train. The driver must decide, based on the sensory information, whether it is safe to drive through the crossing. Analysis results should be useful in predicting accident rates based on the physical characteristics of trains and crossings, and human sensory, perceptual and cognitive characteristics including attention, motivation, expectation and memory.
Post-Accident Train Crew Behavior
An important area of research is the need to identify problems and solutions to the effects of grade crossing accidents on train crew behavior. It is sometimes the case that, after a grade crossing accident in which the train crew is unhurt, the crew continues to operate the train. The possible psychological trauma suffered by the train crew and its potential effects on their continued safe performance may not be understood. This task would investigate these issues and develop suggestions for remedial actions.

GOAL #4 - RESOLVE HIGH-SPEED RAIL GRADE CROSSING ISSUES

Assessment of Grade Crossing Needs for High-Speed Operation
The FRA is currently investigating alternative means of improving safety specifically at high speed rail crossings. The effort is concentrating on four areas of investigation:
Risk Analysis of HSR Crossing Improvements
The FRA currently has guidelines that recommend certain warning and protection systems for train operations through grade crossings for various levels of high-speed rail passenger service. The FRA initiated an effort in late FY 95 to conduct a risk assessment of these guidelines to provide a quantitative basis for specifying their content. The assessment will consider the risks and costs associated with alternative warning and protection device options as a function of train speed, train type, collision type, and crossing characteristics such as highway traffic volume and type of existing warning device. This information will be integrated in an analytical model to determine the most cost-effective warning and train protection solutions that meet safety objectives. Additional risk assessment studies will be performed as new requirements and systems are defined, and recommendations for modifying the FRA guidelines will be made as appropriate.

GOAL #5 - EVALUATE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM CONCEPTS FOR GRADE CROSSING
SAFETY

Vehicle Proximity Alert System (VPAS)
The FRA, in coordination with FHWA, has tested three alternative prototype VPASs at the Transportation Test Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado. Comparative analyses of these systems currently being conducted will be the basis for selection of a system(s) which qualify for additional testing. The future phase of this program will include development of test requirements and plans, monitoring of tests, technical support to local agencies involved in conducting tests, analysis of test data, and independent assessment of test results.
Intrusion/Obstruction Detection
Intrusion detection systems use a variety of technologies to determine if an obstacle such as a highway vehicle is blocking a crossing and provide an alarm to the train crew in sufficient time to stop the train before the crossing. These technologies are usually employed as backup to a barrier system such as four quadrant gates, resulting in a highly secure system for the crossing. If the highway vehicle violates the gates, the train can still stop in time to prevent a collision under most circumstances. Intrusion detection systems employ various detection technologies such as inductive loops, microwaves, radar, video systems and fiber optic strain sensors imbedded in rail structures.

GOAL #6 - MONITOR AND ASSESS GRADE CROSSING IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The FRA will continue to support and assess several projects related to improvement of grade crossing safety. Support activities may include evaluation of proposals, coordination and definition of work, review of results and independent assessment of findings.

TRB IDEA Program Projects
The IDEA Program sponsored by the Transportation Research Board has resulted in several awards for research projects that have potential significance for highway-railroad grade crossing safety. For example, recent awards were to investigate technologies that could be used to: (1) provide better warning to a motor vehicle driver of the approach of a train and, (2)detect the presence of a train approaching a grade crossing. The FRA will assess the IDEA projects related to crossing safety. Activities may include coordination and definition of work, technical direction, review of results, and independent assessment of findings.
HSR Grade Crossing Safety Demonstration Projects (ISTEA Section 1036)
The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), Section 1036, provides funding to demonstrate new concepts for improving safety at high speed rail grade crossings. The FRA is developing an evaluation plan and providing technical assistance to local agencies involved in the projects, monitoring tests, analyzing data resulting from demonstrations, and providing independent assessment of findings. The current active project is the Connecticut four quadrant gate system with an obstacle detection system. Other projects in various stages of completion include the friendly mobile barrier system and the Florida low-cost grade separation project.
BAA Grade Crossing Safety Projects
The FRA has solicited ideas for improving high speed rail grade crossing safety through a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). FRA developed a statement of work for one selected crossing application. The project will evaluate the use of a locked gate system at a private crossing on the Empire High Speed Raill Corridor in New York State.
Improved Credibility and Warning Time of Active Devices
The April, 1995 Research Needs Workshop delegates identified research issues that include improving the credibility of active warning devices as a key issue. Related to this is the need to optimize the warning time to the motorist to minimize delays yet maintain safety under a variety of train and highway vehicle types and operational conditions.
National Warrants for Grade Crossing Warning Devices
The April, 1995 Research Needs Workshop delegates identified the need for national warrants and/or guidelines for warning device applications at crossings as a key issue. Such warrants could potentially replace the current system where the decision for selecting specific applications at crossings rests primarily at the state level. If national warrants were implemented, the impact on liability issues resulting from grade crossing accidents could be significantly minimized. Research issues could involve a preliminary definition of the content of these warrants and their potential impacts on the warning device selection process and on safety liability.
Grade Crossing Hazard Elimination Projects (ISTEA Section 1010)
Under the auspices of ISTEA, Section 1010, funding has been made available to the Sate of Illinois to demonstrate a highway-railroad grade crossing hazard elimination project at three grade crossings along the Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO high speed rail corridor. The technology being evaluated under this program is a Vehicle Arresting Barrier System (VAB), The DRAGNET, manufacturer by Entwhistle Corp..

GOAL # 7 - IMPROVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Driver Education Programs
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a nationwide public information and education program dedicated to reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities at our nation's 300,000 public and private grade crossings. The FRA sponsors some of the activities OLI conducts. In FY 96 the FRA will work with OLI to conduct a series of focus groups sessions to determine the understanding and perspective that members of specific target groups have about grade crossings, evaluate that understanding, and develop an effective message to educate those target groups.

GOAL # 8 - IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS

Photo Enforcement
Photo enforcement holds significant potential for achieving greater compliance by motorists of safety laws at crossings. Several research issues are related to wider use and effectiveness of photo enforcement including applicable technologies, driver behavior relative to alternative applications, and legal/legislative impediments. In FY 96 and FY 97 the FRA will continue to monitor and assess photo enforcement demonstration projects and research. In particular, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority photo enforcement project on the Blue Line will be evaluated.

GOAL #9 - IMPROVE RESEARCH DEPLOYMENT

Resource Allocation and Research Deployment
Successful research deployment often begins with identification of priority research activities. Current and future research projects will be objectively evaluated and prioritized so that emphasis can be placed on those which can be successfully deployed and will effectively improve grade crossing safety.

The FRA will perform various activities to ensure that research results are successfully deployed. Appropriate documentation and dissemination of results will be performed. Seminars, workshops, focus groups, and conferences will be conducted to assist in the deployment of results to intended users and to identify more effective means of deployment. Technical guidelines will be prepared and technical support will be provided, as needed, to assist in the use and implementation of research results.

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Prepared by
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
Structures and Dynamics Division, DTS-76
DOT/VNTSC, Kendall Square
Cambridge, MA 02142-1093

Phone: 617-494-2303
Fax: 617-494-3616

Click here to request further information,
or to submit comments or suggestions.

Last updated: February 21, 1997

10th International Operation Lifesaver Symposium
Indianapolis, Indiana
On the Inside Track for Safety July 12-15, 1998

Come travel with us on the Inside Track for the 1998 Symposium in Indianapolis. An all-star volunteer committee is working with OL President Gerri Hall to plan a unique program and insure a checkered flag for each of us before we leave Indiana.

Industry leaders, including Union Pacific's Jerry Davis, CSX's Pete Carpenter and Shortline Chief Bill Loftus are expected at a first-time Pep Rally to rev up the troops and signal the green flag for the Symposium to commence July 13 at the Westin Hotel. Carefully chosen moderators will "sell" their sessions in friendly competition during "Green Flag to Go! Workshop Previews.

Four workshop "tracks" are planned to steer participants among the multitude of workshops.

These are:

"A" track will address education-related subjects.

"B" track focuses on Problem Solving for Community Rail-Safety Issues.

"C" track will cover state-of-the-art engineering.

"D" track provides time for participants to visit the on-site computer lab with a trained

computer expert in the room for personal training and consultation.

"Working in the Pit: Lap #1-- California OL's Eric Jacobsen will kick off" with a series of panels focused on trespassing issues (presentations, community partnerships, engineering solutions). An open Computer 101 Class for the uninitiated will be offered on a repeated basis throughout the Symposium.

Newly developed "hands-on" workshops in education, engineering and enforcement are blocked for Tuesday morning. Leading law enforcement and highway engineers from the Midwest have been invited to the Tuesday morning sessions. The Education element will feature the popular "Polish Your Presentation," and advanced speaker training courses offered by TSI's Sally Tingle at several Regional Workshops. The Engineering and Enforcement sessions are expected to seek solutions for specific issues, possibly tough-to-tackle topics identified by the Program Development Council.

Award-winning OL student speakers from across the country will pump-up state rivalries, but ultimately provide new ways to reach America's teens--drivers and drivers-to-be -- during Tuesday's Student Speakers' Awards Luncheon.

"Working in the Pit: Lap #2" follows with new "Presentations with Pizzaz" and offerings from Federal and State government teams with regional leaders at the helm. An engineering call for papers review will be available for the techies.

We'll be "Calling in the Experts"(Working in the Pit: Lap 3) for a late afternoon "lap" highlighted by school transportation trainers and experts addressing critical logging truck crossing issues. Another engineering session is expected to discuss photo enforcement and trespass prevention.

Wednesday's session, Highlighting Media, is geared to lift you out of the pits and into a more productive partnership with the media. AAR's John Fitzpatrick and OLI's Marmie Edwards will be joined by media representatives who have reported on high-visibility vehicle-train crashes. We will unveil the updated "Response to a Crash," including new ideas about how to follow up on a trespass incident.

"Working in the Pit - Lap #4" will talk about developing survival skills to handle hecklers, tough crowds and addressing bad ads as we "Avoid the Black Flag!" Later, planning for the 1999 Regional Workshops begins in eight regional sessions. Simultaneously the initial meeting of the OL Youth will take place, facilitated by OLI's Regina Richards.

Final reports from OLI Board Chairman Otto Sonefeld, Regional Workshop Hosts and OL Youth will wrap-up the session. A motivational speaker will encourage us with ways of "Getting to the Winner's Circle" before we have one last fling--the Checkered Flag Fling, a special black and white event at the Indianapolis Convention Center in the very room the car drivers celebrate following the 500-mile race each May. This will be an unforgettable Symposium that you won't want to miss. So rev up your engines and set aside the dates July 12-15 now to be in Indianapolis on the Inside Track.

The ultimate goal of Operation Lifesaver is to eliminate highway-rail collisions by encouraging every motorist to LOOK, LISTEN ... AND LIVE! To have a presentation delivered to your group, please call 1-800-537-6224.

This page was

In the News...

Company Press Release

'Trucker On A Train' to Give Industry Firsthand Look at How to Avoid Collisions

Media Invited to Ride-Along on Special Train in Glendale/Burbank Area With Truckers, Law Enforcement and Special Camera

10th International Operation Lifesaver Symposium Indianapolis, Indiana On the Inside Track for Safety July 12-15, 1998

10th International Operation Lifesaver Symposium
Indianapolis, Indiana
On the Inside Track for Safety July 12-15, 1998