5.0 Policy Recommendations Congress should expand funding to multifaceted programs and organizations that support rail trespassing prevention. Trespassing is an issue that spans multiple policy areas, and effective programs to reduce it needs to go beyond traditional railroad approaches. There is no ongoing multiagency federal program devoted to rail trespass prevention, whereas there is such a program devoted to preventing grade crossing collisions (the Section 130 program). Expanded funding to organizations like Operation Lifesaver as well as engaging policy areas of homelessness, addiction, and mental health can create multifaceted strategies, including those involving new technologies to monitor and address problem areas, to address persistent problems. Such a program deserves substantial funding and attention since trespassing is the leading cause of fatalities on the rail network. Programs can be designed to allow flexibility to the local context and require reporting to better evaluate what strategies are the most effective so other states and railroads can learn best practices.
Policymakers and planners should address grade crossing and trespassing issues with targeted education efforts combined with targeted enforcement and better engineering at areas with persistent safety issues. Education, engineering, and enforcement have to work in concert with each other and constantly refine their approaches based on feedback from each other. Safety policy can be more effective when there is more two-way dialogue between education-focused outfits like Operation Lifesaver and state programs like BeRailSafe and law enforcement. Engaging local police, railroad police, and private security at railroadadjacent facilities can help, particularly when law enforcement takes on an educational, instead of punitive, approach. In places where there are persistent problems, roadway designs that force drivers to slow down, limit the ability to drive around gates, and enhance the visibility of oncoming trains can greatly reduce the risk for collisions. Further, engineering should also address ways to provide safer and more attractive places for people to bike and walk.
Amtrak, commuter railroads, and their freight railroad hosts need more funding to address persistent problems with grade crossing incidents. Grade crossing incidents on passenger railroads and where passenger trains operate have increased 50 percent over the past decade. This problem will require more information to determine exactly when and where such issues are occurring, but federal and state dollars are needed to address the growing problem. Eligibility should include
Safer Railroading
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