MassDOT, MBTA, Keolis, and Massachusetts Operation Lifesaver Raise Rail Grade Crossing Safety Awareness during National “See Tracks, Think Train” Week

Today at North Station, Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng, MBTA Chief Safety Officer Timothy Lesniak, Keolis Vice President of Safety, Security, Quality, and Environment Kellie Andrews, MBTA Transit Police Officer and Massachusetts State Coordinator for Operation Lifesaver Dana DeLorenzo, and others kicked off the beginning of the nation’s annual “See Tracks, Think Train” Week. Developed by Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a public safety non-profit dedicated to rail safety education, this year’s “See Tracks, Think Train” Week is September 23 through September 29 with MassDOT, the MBTA, Keolis Commuter Services, MBTA Transit Police (TPD), and others participating in a series of educational initiatives in support of this safety campaign.

“The MBTA, Transit Police, Keolis Commuter Rail, and Operation Lifesaver have prioritized steps to prevent injuries and deaths on rail corridors,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Along with Rail Safety Week events, a concerted effort has been taken: inspecting grade crossings to ensure all federally mandated equipment is in working order, identifying high pedestrian crash locations so additional ‘no trespassing’ signs can be added, and increasing training for the workforce such as the partnership announced by Keolis this year with the service provider, Samaritans, to increase mental health and suicide prevention training for Commuter Rail frontline personnel.”

“Safety should be everyone’s top priority and Operation Lifesaver is our way at the MBTA of reminding all. We can break it down to the three Es – education, engineering, and enforcement – all are critical when we seek out ways to keep the public safe around the tracks and railway crossings within our communities. We recently engineered and implemented upgrades to all 264 of our Commuter Rail grade crossings – lane lines across crossings, reflective pavement markers, reflectorized delineators and LED lights – that have seen a 44% reduction in right of way obstructions including motor vehicles encroaching on the tracks when compared to the year prior,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “Educational efforts that are taking place this week allow us to have direct communication with the community and are invaluable particularly as we engage with today’s youth. As part of Operation Lifesaver’s annual ‘See Tracks, Think Train’ Rail Safety Week, the MBTA and our partners will be sharing important rail safety information to riders, employees, and communities. We want the public to heed this important message: when you See Tracks, Think Train, so potentially devastating consequences of track tragedies can be avoided.”

“The goal of Operation Lifesaver is to educate and raise awareness among the general public, to ensure there is a clear understanding of the dangers on or near tracks, trains, and rail property,” said MBTA Transit Police Officer and State Coordinator for Massachusetts Operation Lifesaver Dana DeLorenzo. “The program runs throughout the year with our efforts highlighted during ‘See Tracks, Think Train’ Week. It is my sincere hope that our efforts can help in drastically reducing the number of individuals, families, and employees affected by rail tragedies both here in Massachusetts and throughout the country through this awareness and education campaign. Our mission over the past year was to bring this program to as many people as possible, particularly in areas affected by the South Coast Rail Expansion. We had great success and look forward to continuing to bring this message to the public as far and wide as we are able.”

Every year, 2,100 North Americans are killed or seriously injured when engaging in unsafe behavior around tracks and trains. Many times, individuals on Commuter Rail tracks do not hear a train approaching until it is too late due to a train’s high speed. Even when a Commuter Rail train is not scheduled, there are also freight trains and other services that operate on the Commuter Rail network around the Greater Boston area. Subway trains also operate at high speeds with immediate braking capacity limited in the event of an unexpected individual found to be along the track area. Additionally, incidents have occurred in which motor vehicle drivers attempt to pass through crossings when warning lights are flashing and/or crossing gates are descending across the roadway with devastating results.

“Every year, we join our partners at MassDOT, Amtrak, TPD, Keolis, and more to spread Operation Lifesaver’s critical message – ‘See Tracks, Think Train.’ Speaking from experience, we can’t underscore more how crucial this message is,” said MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan. “It is never safe to walk or enter our tracks and right of way areas. To passengers, pedestrians, motorists, and the general public, please always remember to obey posted signs and signals at grade crossings. Together, we can stop fully preventable track tragedies from occurring.”

“We are pleased to continue to play an integral part in the annual ‘See Tracks, Think Train’ educational campaign to help raise awareness for train track and railroad crossing safety,” said MBTA Chief Safety Officer Timothy Lesniak. “Safety is paramount in all that we do at the MBTA, and this campaign, through education, collaborative efforts, outreach and communication, and dedicated events, will help spread the word about the importance of being safe at all times, staying off of railroad tracks, and being cognizant while traveling, walking, or biking near grade crossing locations.”

“Safety is at the core of what we do every day at Keolis, and that starts with preventing accidents in and around Boston’s Commuter Rail system,” said Keolis Vice President of Safety, Security, Quality and Environment Kellie Andrews. “That’s why ‘See Tracks, Think Train’ Week is such an important opportunity to make sure people know: Always be alert anytime you’re near train tracks.”

The MBTA is committed to ensuring a safe environment for its passengers and employees and recognizes the risks associated with rail travel. “See tracks? Think train,” “Always stay alert,” and #StopTrackTragedies are a part of Operation Lifesaver’s educational campaign aimed at informing the public about the severe risks associated with trespassing on rail tracks or not heeding warning signals at railway grade crossings.

The MBTA Safety Division, Keolis, and Amtrak have significantly increased the numbers of employees trained in the Operation Lifesaver program in an effort to further spread safety messaging through presentations to schools, civic groups, driver education programs, school bus companies, professional driving schools, trucking companies, and first responders. Massachusetts Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator DeLorenzo also hopes to continue to connect with School Resource Officers throughout the Commonwealth in order to educate youth within these communities of additional rail safety measures.

The MBTA, Keolis, and TPD have partnered with Operation Lifesaver to educate passengers and the public. Throughout the month of September, the MBTA has been promoting Rail Safety and Operation Lifesaver messaging via social media posts, displays on in-station digital panels, and signage onboard subways and Commuter Rail trains. With a continued commitment to employee safety, rail safety messaging will also be promoted through safety briefings and materials given to MBTA and Keolis staff promoting the importance of situational awareness, adhering to rules of the rights of way, hazard identification, the MBTA Safety Hotline, and the employee injury and assault reporting processes.

“See Tracks, Think Train” Rail Safety Week events are also planned throughout the week in various locations (weather pending), staffed by the MBTA, Keolis, TPD, Amtrak, and more:

Monday, September 23:

#STOPTrackTragedies: “See Tracks, Think Train” Week officially kicks off to alert the public to the risks associated with tracks and right of way areas.

Tuesday, September 24:

Law Enforcement Partnerships and annual observance of Operation Clear Track: Local, state, federal, and railroad police stationed at railroad grade crossings and trespassing incident locations will hand out safety materials to motorists and pedestrians and enforce crossing and trespass laws.

Wednesday, September 25:

Crossing Safety: Activities will include outreach to professional drivers and drivers of garbage, cement, and dump trucks with the message that truck-train incidents can have devastating effects on families and communities. The importance of the emergency notification system (ENS) sign at crossings will be highlighted. Massachusetts Association of Public Works representatives will also receive training on ENS.

Thursday, September 26:

Transit and Professional Driver Safety: Staff will be at stations throughout the MBTA system with materials on how to stay safe as a rail commuter and transit rider.

Friday, September 27:

“Red Out” Day: The public is encouraged to wear red for rail safety. Staff will be within area communities with information related to preventing trespassing on rail right-of-way areas.

Saturday, September 28:

Trespass Prevention and Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety: Awareness activities will take place in order to educate pedestrians and bicyclists about the dangers posed by trespassing on tracks and how they can stay safe.

Sunday, September 29:

No Photos on Tracks: Letter campaign to photography schools on dangers of taking photos on or near train tracks.

To learn more about Operation Lifesaver, visit www.oli.org. Schools or other organizations that would like to schedule an Operation Lifesaver event should contact Officer DeLorenzo at the MBTA Transit Police at 617-222-1212.