Operation Lifesaver Inc., in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), awarded $197,999 in crossing safety awareness grants to Operation Lifesaver programs in 10 states.

The FHWA-funded grants were awarded to Operation Lifesaver organizations in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. The funding will support public education campaigns focused on highway-rail grade crossing safety and trespass prevention. Many campaigns will include messaging tied to See Tracks? Think Train! Week, scheduled for Sept. 21-27, 2026.

“We’re proud to support our State Programs as they bring these rail safety education projects to life,” said Operation Lifesaver Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “Our State Coordinators are delivering community-based outreach that helps people understand the importance of making safe choices around tracks and trains.”

FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster said the grants support public awareness efforts aimed at reducing crossing incidents and improving safety near railroad tracks.

Maleh also encouraged the public to request free rail safety presentations and access educational resources through Operation Lifesaver.

State Projects Focus on Targeted Rail Safety Outreach

Projects funded through the grants include:

California

California Operation Lifesaver will run a highway-rail crossing and trespass prevention campaign from June 1 through July 31, 2026, timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup. The campaign will use geofencing, connected TV, digital display, radio, and other digital platforms to deliver safety messaging near stadiums, transit hubs, and public viewing areas in Los Angeles County and Santa Clara County.

Illinois

Illinois Operation Lifesaver will conduct a rail safety campaign from June through September 2026 in Cook County communities with documented rail incident histories. The campaign will include volunteer-led education events, billboard advertising, and geo-targeted digital outreach focused on emergency notification system (ENS) sign awareness and rail safety messaging.

Indiana

Indiana Operation Lifesaver will launch a rail safety education initiative in Northwest Indiana, Terre Haute, Fort Wayne, Muncie, and Evansville. The campaign will include digital outreach, community engagement, ENS-branded materials, and dispatcher training focused on safe crossing behavior and emergency response awareness.

Kansas

Kansas Operation Lifesaver will implement a statewide agriculture-focused rail safety campaign targeting farmers, ranchers, and rural drivers through agricultural media outlets, rural radio networks, and community outreach during planting and harvest seasons.

Louisiana

Louisiana Operation Lifesaver will conduct a rail safety campaign in high-risk parishes identified through Federal Railroad Administration collision data. The effort will include public service announcements, geo-targeted digital outreach, presentations for professional drivers, bilingual materials, and outreach to school bus operators and emergency responders.

Missouri

Missouri Operation Lifesaver will launch a statewide rail safety education campaign through radio, digital, social, and community outreach channels. The campaign will target motorists, pedestrians, professional drivers, and rural communities, with messaging focused on crossing safety and trespass prevention.

New Jersey

New Jersey Operation Lifesaver will conduct a billboard campaign in September 2026 focused on rail safety education for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. In partnership with New Jersey Transit, the effort will also include in-person safety outreach at train stations and bilingual educational materials.

North Carolina

North Carolina Operation Lifesaver will educate professional drivers through geofencing campaigns at Welcome Centers, radio PSAs, and outreach at trucking and driver training events. Messaging will focus on ENS sign awareness and low-clearance crossings.

South Carolina

South Carolina Operation Lifesaver will launch a rail safety and enforcement campaign in Richland County tied to University of South Carolina football events and peak travel periods. The initiative includes partnerships with law enforcement agencies, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and USC Athletics.

Texas

Texas Operation Lifesaver will conduct a rail safety campaign during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Houston and North Texas. The campaign will include digital and audio outreach, messaging at transit stations, and placements in sports-related media focused on crossing safety and ENS sign awareness.

Grants Awarded Through Competitive Process

Operation Lifesaver said the grants were awarded through a competitive selection process based on factors including safety needs, the number of highway-rail collisions in each state, and the ability to leverage federal funding through partnerships.