OMAHA, Neb., July 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Union
Pacific's rail safety programs helped improve public safety and
contributed to a 5 percent decline in vehicle–train collisions at
railroad crossings in the first half of 2017, compared to last
year. Union Pacific reported a 2.27 crossing accident rate across
its 23-state network, calculated by the number of Federal Railroad
Administration reportable grade crossing accidents per million
train miles, compared to a 2.40 rate during the first half of
2016.
"One of the primary purposes of Union Pacific's safety programs
is to reduce railroad crossing accidents and it is encouraging to
see positive results," said Cameron
Scott, Union Pacific executive vice president and chief
operating officer. "Communities play a big role in helping their
friends, neighbors and family members staying safe around railroad
tracks. We will continue working with local authorities to share
our safety message and educate drivers."
Cities and counties determine where roads intersect with rail
lines and warning signs at public railroad crossings. Union
Pacific's Crossing Assessment Process (CAP) studies the crossing
characteristics and focuses its efforts where incidents may be more
likely to occur. While all crossings complying with Union Pacific
maintenance standards are safe for drivers, the program identifies
safety enhancements that may require working with cities to add
signage such as pavement markings. For private crossings, the
company works with landowners to find alternative access that
doesn't cross the railroad.
The U.S. Department of Transportation studied train-vehicle
accident reports over a 10-year period and found 94 percent of
public railroad crossing accidents were caused by risky driver
behavior, such as driving around activated automatic gates. Union
Pacific's Crossing Accident Reduction and Education Safety (UP
CARES) public safety program allows the company to work with
communities through a variety of outreach channels. Thousands of UP
CARES events are held annually across Union Pacific's 23-state
network to educate pedestrians, motorists and truck drivers about
how to stay safe around railroads and grade crossings.
Union Pacific outreach efforts also include annual digital and
social media rail safety video campaigns urging pedestrians and
drivers to use caution near railroad crossings. The campaigns
include engaging videos shared through Facebook and YouTube and
encourage audiences to share videos, images and rail safety
ideas.
More information about Union Pacific's rail safety efforts is
available in its 2016 Building America Report.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most
recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in
the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical
link in the global supply chain. In the last 10 years, 2007-2016,
Union Pacific invested approximately $34
billion in its network and operations to support America's
transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business
mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal,
Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of
the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all
major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects
with Canada's rail systems and is
the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value
to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe,
reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible
manner.
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SOURCE Union Pacific