Union Pacific Improves Railroad Crossing Safety

OMAHA, Neb., July 21, 2017

"One of the primary purposes of Union Pacific's safety programs is to reduce railroad crossing accidents and it is encouraging to see positive results," said Cameron Scott, Union Pacific executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Communities play a big role in helping their friends, neighbors and family members staying safe around railroad tracks. We will continue working with local authorities to share our safety message and educate drivers."

Cities and counties determine where roads intersect with rail lines and warning signs at public railroad crossings. Union Pacific's Crossing Assessment Process (CAP) studies the crossing characteristics and focuses its efforts where incidents may be more likely to occur. While all crossings complying with Union Pacific maintenance standards are safe for drivers, the program identifies safety enhancements that may require working with cities to add signage such as pavement markings. For private crossings, the company works with landowners to find alternative access that doesn't cross the railroad.

The U.S. Department of Transportation studied train-vehicle accident reports over a 10-year period and found 94 percent of public railroad crossing accidents were caused by risky driver behavior, such as driving around activated automatic gates. Union Pacific's Crossing Accident Reduction and Education Safety (UP CARES) public safety program allows the company to work with communities through a variety of outreach channels. Thousands of UP CARES events are held annually across Union Pacific's 23-state network to educate pedestrians, motorists and truck drivers about how to stay safe around railroads and grade crossings.

Union Pacific outreach efforts also include annual digital and social media rail safety video campaigns urging pedestrians and drivers to use caution near railroad crossings. The campaigns include engaging videos shared through Facebook and YouTube and encourage audiences to share videos, images and rail safety ideas.

More information about Union Pacific's rail safety efforts is available in its 2016 Building America Report.