RAILWAY SAFETY Please click on any of the links below to go directly to your specified topic within this document. Facts about Railway Property and Trains Railway Signs, Devices, and Warnings Railway Safety Tips for Commuters Railway Safety Tips for Cyclists Children Don t View Traffic like Adults Operation Lifesaver Every year approximately 300 collisions and trespassing incidents occur at highway/railway crossings and along railway tracks resulting in the death or serious injury of nearly 130 people in Canada. All of these incidents were avoidable. Teach your children that trains and train tracks are not playgrounds. Walking or playing on train tracks is not only extremely dangerous but also illegal in Canada. Reinforcing safety practices early will help children understand and avoid the dangers associated with railway operations. Facts about Railway Property and Trains Trains travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h and can take up to 2 kms to stop in an emergency. The majority of highway/railway collisions occur when the train is travelling less than 80 km/h. Trains run on tracks and cannot swerve to avoid a collision with someone or something in their path. Trains can move in either direction on any track at any time. Automatic switches guide trains from one track to another and are controlled by someone very far away, from where the switch is located. Trains are one meter wider than the track on both sides. Railway crossings have special signs and signals that warn drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to be aware of approaching trains. Railway Safety Page 1 of 6 07 May 2013
Railway rights-of-way provide for the safe movement of railway trains but are dangerous places for trespassers. Bridges and tunnels have no extra room for a person to stand or walk safely if a train approaches. Trains do not follow set schedules so always be alert when you are close to a railway. There are approximately 37,000 public, private, and pedestrian highway/railway crossings in Canada. An approaching train activates flashing light signals and gates approximately 20 seconds before the train reaches the crossing. The average locomotive engine weighs 110 tonnes. Compare that to the average automobile, which weighs less than two tonnes. Railway tracks, trestles, yards, and equipment are private property. Walking or playing on them is illegal. Trespassers are subject to arrest and fines but too often, the penalty is death. Railway Signs, Devices, and Warnings Teach your children to read railway signs, devices, and warnings. Time spent teaching a child how to stay safe around railway tracks and trains - can save lives! Railway Signs There are different railway signs that let you know you are close to a train track. Here are some railway signs your children should recognize and understand: Advanced warning signs tell you a crossing is ahead and indicates the direction of the train. Slow down, look both ways, and listen. This is a railway crossing sign also known as a crossbuck. A crossbuck may be accompanied by flashing lights, bells, and sometimes closed gates when a train is close by. A 'two-train' sign tells you a second train may be approaching on another track. Always look both ways to make sure all trains have passed before crossing. Railway Safety Page 2 of 6 07 May 2013
Multi-track signs mean there is more than one set of tracks at the crossing. This sign is found below the railway crossing sign, and will show you how many tracks there are. All railway systems in Canada are private property and are clearly marked with No Trespassing signs. Teach your children to cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or railway crossings. Railway Safety Devices Most railway crossings have devices in place that warn you when a train is coming and the type of device is dependant on how much traffic passes through your area. Passive Devices have no lights or bells, and are often found at locations that have little traffic. Be especially cautious at these crossings! Look both ways, listen and make sure an oncoming train in either direction is not approaching before crossing. Active Devices use flashing lights and a bell to signal when a train is coming. Stay back and do not cross when the bell rings and lights flash. Some active devices include gates as well. Cross only when signals have stopped, the gates have lifted, and you have looked both ways and listened to make sure there are no other trains approaching. Other Railway Warnings Here are some other signals you should let your children know about to keep them safe around railway tracks: An engine whistle warns you that a train is approaching a crossing. The train is close, so stop and wait until it s safe to cross. An engine bell warns that a train is very close. When you or your children hear the engine bell, stand back and wait for the train to pass. Railway Safety Page 3 of 6 07 May 2013
Platform safety lines remind people in stations to stand back from moving trains and equipment. Pavement markings, specifically a large X on the pavement, remind drivers to approach cautiously when railway crossings are ahead. Railway Safety Tips for Commuters Passenger trains transport people who travel long distances. Commuter trains provide public transportation for people between major urban centres. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when you're in a train station or riding on a train with children: Always keep your children in clear sight and close by. Stand well back from the safety lines painted parallel to the platform edge until it is safe to board the train. Walk children carefully over the gaps between the platform and train when boarding and deboarding. Enter and exit the train only where designated, and only when it is safe to do so. In multi-track train station areas, pay attention for other train movements. Railway Safety Tips for Cyclists Teach your children how to cycle safely near crossing railways using the following guidelines: Children should always wear helmets when they are riding their bicycles. Railway Safety Page 4 of 6 07 May 2013
When approaching a railway crossing teach your children to slow down, look both ways and listen before crossing. Remember, where there is more than one track, trains can travel on any track, in either direction at any time! Even if a train is already passing through the crossing, another train can approach unexpectedly from either direction on any of the empty tracks. Teach your children how to interpret and observe railway warning signs & pavement markings. Teach your children to stay at least five (5) metres back when a train is passing. Trains extend one meter beyond the train track on both sides. A good indication that you are far enough back is if you can see the face of the railway crossing sign that is in front of you in the direction you are travelling. Railway crossings can be rough. Ensure that your children know to slow down at all railways and to cross the tracks carefully. If the train tracks are wet from rain they can become slippery. It s always best for cyclists to put one foot down on the ground and ease themselves over the tracks. At multiple railway tracks, make sure your children pull over to the curb, dismount, cross the railway as pedestrians, and walk their bikes. Children Don't View Traffic Like Adults They have difficulty judging speed and distance They have difficulty discerning where a sound is coming from They have difficulty focusing on one thing at a time They have little or no sense of danger They don t see or understand traffic flow They think they are smarter or stronger than they really are. Do the Right Thing Report trespassers and suspicious people loitering on or around railway property to the railway police or your local police. Set an example for your children by abiding by railway safety. Railway Safety Page 5 of 6 07 May 2013
Operation Lifesaver Operation Lifesaver is comprised of dedicated railroaders and citizens that aim to save lives by educating Canadians about the hazards surrounding rail property and trains. Operation Lifesaver is a partnership initiative of the Railway Association of Canada and Transport Canada, and works in cooperation with the rail industry, government, police, unions, and many public organizations and community groups. Their goal is to prevent collisions between trains and motor vehicles. They also work to prevent trespassing incidents that lead to serious injury or death. They make over 2,000 presentations per year and work with the rail industry, government, police, unions, the media, public organizations, and the public to spread the word. Contact 'Operation Lifesaver' or your provincial safety council/league to schedule a free highway/railway safety presentation. Certified Presenters are available to speak to students in schools and driver training classes, youth and community groups, company safety programs and the general public. In addition, specialized presentations are available for educators, emergency responders, professional drivers and recreational groups. OPERATION LIFESAVER 99 Bank Street, Suite 1401 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6B9 Tel: (613) 564-8100 Fax: (613) 567-6726 E-mail: admin@operationlifesaver.ca http://www.operationlifesaver.ca/ Railway Safety Page 6 of 6 07 May 2013