September is Rail Safety Month, and VTA joined rail, transportation and public safety partners at San José Diridon Station on September 2 to remind the community of one simple but lifesaving message: See Tracks? Think Train.
The Rail Safety Fair brought together Capitol Corridor, California Operation Lifesaver, Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrain, Altamont Corridor Express (ACE), Amtrak, VTA, Mineta Transportation Institute, the City of San José and California Highway Patrol, along with other organizations.
Throughout the morning, attendees had an opportunity to connect with rail safety educators, transit and railroad representatives, law enforcement agencies and community partners. Demonstrations, safety resources and conversations focused on the three E’s of rail safety: Education, Enforcement and Engineering.
VTA Chief of System Safety and Security Aston Greene joined regional leaders during the event’s press conference and emphasized the importance of continuing to reinforce safety messages, particularly around light rail.
“It’s urgent for agencies like VTA to focus on the safety message. Our trains may look harmless, but a pedestrian, a car or a bike is no match for a 100,000-pound train going at any speed. A light rail vehicle is moving faster than it appears, so we need everyone to follow the rules. Repeated messages are important.”
That message extends beyond Rail Safety Month. Whether walking, biking or driving, everyone has a role to play in preventing incidents around tracks and trains.
Rail safety partners are reminding the public to always use designated crossings and obey gates, lights and warning devices; never try to beat a train; stay alert and remove distractions when crossing; and remember that trains can travel on any track, in either direction, at any time.