Media Contact: Jonah Weinberg, 650.508.6238

Caltrain’s Rail Safety Efforts Are on the Right Track

In May, Caltrain announced a redoubling of its rail safety efforts with a campaign called, “Don’t Shortcut Life.” Today, Caltrain staff reported significant progress in this campaign to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which operates the commuter rail line.

“Don’t Shortcut Life” focuses on the three “E’s” of rail safety: Education, Engineering and Enforcement. Each component is complementary, and together they work to ensure the safest possible railroad.

Education: Caltrain has taken great efforts to reach out to the community to inform residents about safe behavior around trains and train tracks, including print advertising and making information available on its Web site. Caltrain also has met with school district superintendents and contacted every school within one-half mile of its tracks in Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties, offering to present rail safety information.

In order to better reach high school- and middle school-age youth, Caltrain conducted a focus group with adolescents to help create messages that resonate with that age group. Additionally, Caltrain has certified Communications staff through Operation Lifesaver, the international rail safety organization, so that Caltrain does not have to turn down any requests for presentations.

Since May, Caltrain staff has made presentations to more than 5,000 people at different schools and community groups. Caltrain has additional presentations scheduled into the new year and will continue working with groups to teach safe behavior around trains. Caltrain also provided rail safety information to schools for inclusion in school newspapers and notices.

This year, Caltrain became one of the first rail agencies in the nation to expand its rail safety message to include the issue of rail suicide, the leading cause of train-related deaths locally and throughout the U.S. In late May, Caltrain joined with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to participate in the “Out of the Darkness Overnight” campaign. The focus of the campaign was that Caltrain needs the community to be involved to help prevent rail suicide, by assisting those who are depressed and suicidal to get the help they need. A transit police officer, a conductor and an engineer were the primary spokespeople for this campaign and Caltrain raised more than $8,000 from passengers and concerned community members to help support suicide prevention outreach.

As always, Caltrain continues to notify the media when staff observe images or stories in newspapers or on television that appear to minimize the risks of trespassing on train tracks, or that glorify risky behavior around trains.

Engineering: Caltrain budgeted $1.5 million to install fencing in strategic areas along the railway, which will serve to dissuade trespassing on the tracks. Caltrain then obtained feedback from all the cities along its railway about proposed areas for fencing. The compiled list was reviewed and evaluated by Caltrain engineering staff, and a fencing plan now has been developed and ranked according to urgency. While all of the fencing cannot be accomplished with the $1.5 million, Caltrain hopes to continue funding this fencing program at the same level for several years, in order to reach all of the areas on the list. The first phase of the fencing program will last one year and will install 12,000 feet of fencing at 28 locations.

In September, Caltrain received $7.4 million from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to improve grade-crossing safety in San Mateo County. This is a three-year project that will include the installation of pedestrian gates and raised medians at crossings, as well as fences, to prevent people from taking unnecessary risks.

Enforcement: Caltrain has a transit police force and also works closely with law enforcement in all the municipalities that border the Caltrain tracks. In addition to responding to calls at stations or on trains, police target areas where trespassers are known to cross tracks illegally and cite violators. Caltrain has requested that members of the public call its rail safety line at 1.877.SAF.RAIL (1.800.723.7245) to report areas where they observe repeated trespassing on the tracks.

In October, transit police began a special enforcement program at crossings to cite trespassers, who cross when signal arms are lowered. Since the program began, 266 citations have been issued. Other citations may have been issued by local municipalities. Additionally, transit police have received special training to deal with people who may have mental health issues, including individuals who may be seeking to use the train to harm themselves.

Caltrain will continue in its efforts to ensure a safe and reliable rail system using all available resources to inform the public and improve its infrastructure. If members of the public have safety issues to report they should call the number above, or if they would like information about rail safety education, they can call 650.508.7934.

12/07/06 - jbw