The engine roar, blinking lights and sounding bells combined with crossarms are not enough to assure safety precautions at railroad crossings.
During his 16 years as a police officer based in the South Bend and Mishawaka area, Jeffrey Price has witnessed the destruction and aftermath, including needless fatalities, when railroad crossings become police emergency scenes.
“A vehicle or person is hit by a train every three hours, on average, with more than 60% of these collisions happening at crossings equipped with lights and gates,” said Price, who now serves as manager for U.S. public and government affairs for Canadian National Railway Company.
“There is more we can do to change these statistics.”
Price and his team joined Valparaiso officials, including Mayor Jon Costas and Valparaiso Police Chief Andrew McIntyre, Tuesday to recognize this week as “See Tracks? Think Train Week,” the annual national campaign highlighting education and awareness for rail safety, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 21.
“I’ve been in my railroad role for 10 years now, and originally, the week observation was just called ‘Rail Safety Week,’ and then we changed a few years ago,” Price said.
“We place an emphasis on training everyone, but especially children, about rail safety to reduce risks as a pedestrian when crossing railroad tracks.”
Following the Tuesday morning presentation near downtown Valparaiso at the railroad crossing at 800 Calumet Ave., Costas helped with the paint and stencil process to create a pavement-printed yellow sign.
“We value our partnership with CN and support the commerce our railways represent,” Costas said.
“This week is a great reminder of the message our Valparaiso Police Department and city of Valparaiso regularly promote regarding rail safety, urging all to pay attention when approaching railroad crossings, whether you’re driving or a pedestrian. Crossings are a time to slow down, turn down your audio and watch carefully.”
In addition to adding the new pavement signs, Price said his organization is continuing a push for standardized signs mounted along all railroad crossings to be beacons which provide emergency information such as the address of the crossing and a phone number to call to directly reach the railroad dispatch to report a malfunction at a crossing or alert to a vehicle stalled on the tracks.
“While we always want a motorist with a vehicle stalled on a railway crossing to first call 911, the next call needs to be to the number on these posted signs, which can make all the difference for the dispatcher to stop a train that might be en route,” Price said.
“We are committed to ensuring that our communities stay safe near railroads and that the public understands the critical importance of vigilance around train tracks.”
Price said posted railroad information signs have always existed on the mounts at all railroad crossings; however, the signs have never incorporated a universal design.
“Starting in 2017, all of the various railroad companies began working together to create a universal design so these posted sign designations are distinct and easy to spot,” Price said.
“By 2019, most of the posted signs had been standardized.”
Valparaiso is working with CN to make further improvements at railway crossings in Valparaiso, including a new pedestrian walkway at Silhavy Road, along with enhanced crossings and the addition of cameras.
The safety event also included the signing of a mayor’s proclamation designating this week as “See Tracks? Think Train Rail Safety Week.”
“We are committed to ensuring that our communities stay safe near railroads and that the public understands the critical importance of vigilance around train tracks,” Price said.
“This annual week observance provides valuable information to help prevent tragic accidents and ensure safer interactions between people, vehicles and trains.”
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.