BNSF Recognizes Four States with Inaugural Award for Grade Crossing Safety
2024年7月2日 - 12:05AM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Today, BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) announced it is honoring four
state Departments of Transportation for their dedication to
improving grade crossing safety in their communities, a
first-of-its-kind initiative to reduce grade crossing incidents
across the company’s 32,500-mile network.
The inaugural “Tracking to Zero” awards have been awarded
to Idaho, Montana, New Mexico and
Wyoming for averaging less than one grade crossing incident
per one million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective
states. Data reported in 2023 to the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) confirms the findings.
“BNSF’s commitment and passion for safety sets us apart,” said
BNSF Assistant Director of Public Projects Richard Scott. “In 2023,
we had our best year for employee safety in our company’s 175-year
history, leading the industry. It’s important we also recognize
those communities who are committed to helping us maintain the
lowest grade crossing collision rate in the industry.”
Examples of actions taken by the winning state DOTs to improve
railroad crossing safety include, but are not limited to:
- Installing grade-crossing separations
- Enhancing signal systems at existing crossings
- Researching and piloting new crossing safety technologies
- Utilizing both state and federal funding to maximize railroad
crossing safety improvements
- Prioritizing community education and utilizing land use
planning and awareness campaigns
- Implementing various measures to reduce railroad
trespassing
“Because trains are limited in their ability to prevent a
collision, safety gains are better achieved by improving how
drivers interact around railroad tracks,” Scott said. “State DOTs
can make a big difference when it comes to their communities’
safety by prioritizing rail safety projects and campaigns that help
drivers make better decisions.”
Grade crossing safety is an integral part of BNSF’s operations
and culture. It involves daily cooperative efforts between the
railroad and the more than 5,000 communities in 28 states (and
three Canadian provinces) we serve. Since 1995, BNSF’s rate of
grade-crossing collisions has declined from an average of 5.3
incidents per million trail miles, to 1.89 in 2023.
BNSF’s safety vision includes zero grade crossing incidents on
our railroad. In our efforts to reach less than one incident per
million miles traveled on our system by the year 2030, BNSF will
continue to recognize DOT teams leading the way in our efforts.
For more detailed information on grade crossing safety efforts
taken in each of the awarded states, email media@bnsf.com.
About BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway, based in Fort Worth, Texas, is one of North
America’s leading freight transportation companies. BNSF operates
approximately 32,500 route miles of track in 28 states and three
Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer
goods, grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and
industrial goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials,
food, and beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply,
and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its
employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced,
and efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to
improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental
benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve.
You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240701912397/en/
Kendall Kirkham Sloan Director of External Communications
Media@BNSF.com