METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

FRA launches new railroad crossing, trespassing site to increase safety

The new portal is part of the agency’s ongoing campaign to reduce fatalities at railroad crossings and tracks to zero by building partnerships that increase education, step up enforcement and leverage engineering.

March 22, 2016
FRA launches new railroad crossing, trespassing site to increase safety

 

2 min to read


The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) launched a redesigned website to serve as a one-stop shop to help drivers, pedestrians, and law enforcement stay safe around the nation’s more than 200,000 railroad crossings and 140,000 miles of track.

The new railroad crossing portal is part of the agency’s ongoing campaign to reduce fatalities at railroad crossings and tracks to zero by building partnerships that increase education, step up enforcement and leverage engineering.

Ad Loading...

“Railroad crossings are in nearly every city and town across America,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Preventing fatalities at crossings and on tracks takes innovative solutions, increased enforcement actions and robust safety education efforts. FRA’s new website is an important tool to help us achieve our goal of zero deaths at crossings and along tracks.”

FRA data show that 96% of rail-related fatalities, most of which are preventable, are the result of incidents at railroad crossings and by trespassers. That’s why the new FRA portal has more interactive features with downloadable fact sheets on safety and a resource library that is easy to navigate. The site makes accessing information about railroad crossing safety and trespass prevention more streamlined, with a focus on education.

“Ending fatalities at railroad crossings and by trespassers is not a goal FRA can achieve with just another regulation or rule. It will take a strong commitment from everyone — law enforcement, regulators, railroads and motorists who drive over railroad track every day — and better education,” said FRA Administrator Sarah E. Feinberg. “Providing information on a clean, user-friendly, and interactive website will help people stay safe around railroad crossings and tracks and get us one step closer to stopping these preventable deaths.”

Last year, FRA launched a new, comprehensive campaign to reverse the uptick in fatalities at railroad crossings. The campaign includes partnering with Google and other tech companies to use FRA data that pinpoints the country’s approximately 200,000 railroad crossings to add crossing alerts to map applications. FRA has also worked with local law enforcement to increase enforcement around railroad crossings.

In 2015, 244 individuals died at railroad crossings, down from 264 in 2014.

More Management

Perspective through the window of a transit bus into a warehouse event space for Arrowhead Transit.
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMay 5, 2026

Arrowhead Transit Rolls Out Rider App to Modernize Rural Service

The new mobile booking platform and backend system aim to streamline operations, improve communication, and better serve riders across a 20,000-square-mile region.

Read More →
Denver RTD Police's BRIT team
Security and Safetyby StaffMay 5, 2026

Denver RTD Transit Police launch Bus and Rail Impact Team

BRIT patrols are over and above those already occurring within the district. For example, the agency experienced three copper wire thefts along the G Line in April, followed by others later in the month and in early May.

Read More →
Terrel Smith

Terrel Smith Launches New TransitOne Venture, Focuses on Building Relationships

The company partners with manufacturers such as Kiel Seating, Camira Fabric, and TSI Video, focusing on areas that directly impact both passenger experience and operational performance.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A group of people stand in the Harlem-148 Street 3 Station and pose during a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Managementby StaffMay 4, 2026

New Accessibility Upgrades Open at Harlem Subway Station

A new ADA-compliant ramp and station upgrades improve access, enhance the rider experience, and deliver millions in cost savings for the MTA.

Read More →
Erin Hockman
Managementby StaffMay 4, 2026

Iowa's DART Taps New CEO

Erin Hockman will officially assume the role on May 7, as current CEO Amanda Wanke departs to take a leadership position with Metro Transit in the Twin Cities.

Read More →
Caltrain trains on tracks
Railby StaffMay 1, 2026

Caltrain Survey Shows Record-High Rider Approval

The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A VIA bus
Busby StaffMay 1, 2026

San Antonio's VIA Launches Next Round of Bus Improvements

The changes are designed to reduce overall travel time, shorten wait times, and get customers to their destinations more quickly.

Read More →
A graphic of a map showing a "Snapshot of Systemwide Vulnerabilities (projected)."
Managementby News/Media ReleaseMay 1, 2026

MBTA Unveils First Systemwide Climate Resilience Roadmap

The plan outlines strategies to protect transit infrastructure from extreme weather, prioritize critical investments, and improve system reliability as climate risks intensify.

Read More →

People Movement: DART Names Interim Chief, Clean Energy Taps New President/CEO

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at MCTS, Voith, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A person working on a bus
ManagementMay 1, 2026

Data-Driven Maintenance: Focusing Effort Where It Matters Most

Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.

Read More →