Operation Lifesaver Inc., in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh, has awarded $220,200 in competitive rail safety awareness grants to programs in 12 states. The FRA contributed $175,200 of the total funding.

The grants support public awareness projects focused on grade crossing safety and trespass prevention. Many campaigns will align with See Tracks? Think Train Week, scheduled for Sept. 21 to 27, 2026.

“We are excited to announce this year’s grant recipients,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “State programs are delivering rail safety education in communities across the country through community-based outreach.”

FRA officials said the grants are intended to support outreach efforts that address preventable grade crossing and trespassing incidents.

State-Level Safety Campaigns

Projects funded through FRA grants include:

• California: A targeted campaign during California Rail Safety Month (Sept. 1-30, 2026) and See Tracks? Think Train Week using geofencing, connected TV, OTT and digital radio to deliver safety messaging in high-incident areas.
• Illinois: A multimedia campaign across Central Illinois, including billboards, high school sports broadcast ads through June 2027, and in-person training to expand volunteer educators.
• Indiana: A statewide awareness campaign using targeted digital media to reach motorists, pedestrians and younger drivers with crossing safety and trespass prevention messaging.
• Maryland: A data-driven campaign along commuter rail corridors combining digital, audio and in-person outreach, including station messaging and community presentations.
• New Jersey: A campaign using moving billboard advertisements on delivery trucks across roadways during September 2026.
• North Carolina: Outreach in five communities focused on unhoused populations near rail lines, combining digital messaging, radio, printed materials and coordination with local service organizations.
• Ohio: A regional campaign in Columbus and Cincinnati markets using streaming, digital and radio platforms to reach drivers and pedestrians.
• South Carolina: A mix of in-person and digital outreach tied to community events, including the Greenville Jazz Festival and See Tracks? Think Train Week.
• Washington: A campaign in the Seattle area during June and July 2026 targeting residents and visitors during FIFA World Cup events, using digital media, transit advertising and in-person outreach.

Posner Foundation-Funded Campaigns

Additional campaigns funded by the Posner Foundation include:

• Connecticut: A targeted digital advertising campaign using streaming, display and geofencing to reach commuters and residents along rail corridors.
• Minnesota: A statewide program combining digital outreach and in-person engagement focused on urban and rural rail safety, including coordination with state and transit partners.
• Missouri: A statewide campaign using broadcast, digital media and in-person events, with emphasis on Kansas City and St. Louis during World Cup events and agricultural outreach during Farm Safety Week.

Grant Selection Criteria

Grants were awarded through a competitive process based on factors including demonstrated safety needs, rates of highway-rail collisions and trespass incidents, and the ability to leverage federal funding with private partnerships.