Caltrain Launches New Effort During Rail Safety Month

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September 8, 2010

This month, Caltrain is observing Railroad Safety Month in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, an internationally renowned program promoting rail safety, by launching a new outreach effort to prevent suicides.

The Caltrain Board of Directors approved a proclamation for Railroad Safety Month during its Sept. 2 meeting.

As part of Rail Safety Month, Caltrain will introduce the Signage Pilot Project and Effectiveness Study.

In partnership with the American Association of Suicidology, Youth and Family Enrichment Services and the Federal Railroad Administration, Caltrain will be tracking the effectiveness of new suicide signs installed on a 10-mile segment of the right of way.

The new signs will display a hotline number that will be answered and tracked by the local Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center, a program of Youth and Family Enrichment Services in San Carlos.

Caltrain has a continuing commitment to safety at rail crossings and on the rail right of way through education, enforcement efforts and engineering upgrades.

In 2006, Caltrain launched “Don’t Shortcut Life,” a continuing rail safety campaign. A major component of the campaign focuses on educating the community about safe behavior near active rail lines. Since the program’s inception, Caltrain staff has made presentations to more than 15,000 people including students, community groups, police and fire officials, elected officials and civic leaders.

Transit Police deputies also have received Crisis Intervention Training, which educates deputies to recognize people who may be a threat to themselves or others in the vicinity of Caltrain’s railroad. As a result of this training, Transit Police have intervened resulting in 11 people being removed from the right of way this year and referred to treatment.

Caltrain has continuously made safety improvements over the years that included improving grade crossings along the right of way and revamping stations. Since 2006, Caltrain has spent $4.2 million to install 61,000 feet of fencing along its right of way.

Caltrain staff and management also are active participants in community-based efforts to address the underlying issue of mental health and suicide prevention.

Caltrain is committed to its role as a safety advocate and will continue to communicate safety messages with the goal of increasing public awareness and ending tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at grade crossings and on the right of way.

Members of the public who would like information about rail safety education and tips can call 650.508.7934 or visit www.caltrain.com.

Caltrain is a commuter rail line operating between San Francisco and San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Average weekday ridership on the mix of 90 local, limited and express weekday trains is 38,000. Local, hourly service is provided on Saturdays and Sundays.

Caltrain is owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, a partnership of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, the San Mateo County Transit District and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.