FRA announces right-of-way fatality, trespass prevention workshop

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced its 2015 Right-of-Way Fatality & Trespass Prevention Workshop will be held August 4 to 6, 2015, at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, in Charlotte N.C.

"Trespassing and highway-rail grade crossing accidents account for 94% of all railroad fatalities,” said Acting Federal Railroad Administrator Sarah Feinberg. “This conference will attract a diversity of stakeholders together to explore ways to tackle one of the most difficult safety challenges facing the rail industry. Working together with industry, law enforcement, first responders, state and local officials, and the public are the only way we will continue to drive continuous safety improvement and save lives."

The goal of this free workshop is to identify and share existing industry best practices and explore new trespass abatement and mitigation strategies that the rail industry can adopt to reduce the number of right-of-way and trespasser incidents and fatalities. Nearly 200 participants attended the last conference held in St. Louis in 2012, representing law enforcement and first responders from across the nation, Operation Lifesaver and industry experts.

The conference agenda is currently being developed by a team of industry experts and will cover five key areas: community outreach and education; enforcement; design, technology and infrastructure; intentional acts/deaths; and pedestrian safety.

Trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in America. Nationally, more than 400 trespasser fatalities and 500 related injuries occur each year. By law, trespassing on railroad property is illegal. Railroad trespassers are most often pedestrians walking across or along railroad tracks as a shortcut. Other trespassers are engaged in recreational activities.

To register for this year's workshop, click here.