In an event that brought together workers, rail carriers, safety advocates, government officials, and various stakeholders, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) hosted a summit last week on Trespasser and Grade Crossing Fatality Prevention.
Hundreds of citizens are wounded or killed each year when they intentionally or accidentally walk or drive into the path of oncoming trains. Trespassing and locomotive-automobile crashes are the first and second causes of rail-related deaths in the United States. As the industry wants to guarantee that pedestrian safety is being properly addressed, summit attendees discussed opportunities for increased funding for safety initiatives, better public education, and additional fencing near tracks, among others.
As more industries are moving toward remote and automated operations, though, some in the rail industry are saying these safety precautions are exactly why qualified crewmembers are needed on each freight train.
“Conductors and engineers work together to safely get trains to their destinations, and during an emergency, such as a grade crossing collision, our teamwork is critical,” Tom Cahill, SMART union member and locomotive engineer, said at the conference.
During emergencies, conductors and engineers set about uncoupling train cars blocking roads or emergency vehicle paths. They also tend to double as first responders until local emergency personnel can arrive.