Skip to main content

Currently Skimming:


Pages 52-84

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 52...
... 52 This chapter puts strategies to deter trespassing on rail transit and commuter rail rightsof-way into three categories: engineering and physical measures; education and engagement; and enforcement. Following the literature review, stakeholder survey, case studies, and internal discussions with the panel members, the research team updated the list of countermeasures throughout the project.
From page 53...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 53   Source: Jeffery Warner, TTI. Description Fencing is used to separate the railroad right-of-way from a highway or other property lines (21, 22)
From page 54...
... 54 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way • LIRR -- LIRR uses high-security fencing extensively with the following characteristics: expanded metal gratings for each section with an upstand at the top to prevent climbing; 8 feet wide for each section, which consists of two 4-foot panels overlapped with bolts; and posts buried 4 to 6 feet deep with concrete-encased poles (21)
From page 55...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 55   U.S. stakeholders, fencing was also the highest selected strategy.
From page 56...
... 56 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: Jeffery Warner, TTI. Description Landscaping includes removing vegetation and the existing path across the railway line; steepening the sides of the railway line; planting trees, bushes, or ground cover to form a natural barrier; and decorating the side slopes with a few large stones (5, 23, 24, 31, 32, 33)
From page 57...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 57   Effectiveness According to the literature review, a case study from Finland discovered that landscaping reduced the number of trespasses by over 91% (23)
From page 58...
... 58 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: L.B. Foster, Anti-trespass Panels Info Sheet (34)
From page 59...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 59   The following list is a sample of the current practices of anti-trespass guard panels in the U.S. and international rail transit and commuter rail agencies based on the findings from the literature review: • Arkansas and Missouri Railroad (Class III railroad)
From page 60...
... 60 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: Jim Cline, TTI. Description PSDs are located on the rail transit platform to prevent objects from falling onto railway tracks (39, 40, 41)
From page 61...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 61   According to the survey, only one U.S. heavy rail agency reported that PSDs are currently being used at a few locations, and it classified the measure as effective.
From page 62...
... 62 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: Utah Transit Authority, Rail Trespass and Suicide Prevention: Safety, Research and Demonstration Grant (45)
From page 63...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 63   A drone equipped with video monitoring systems can detect trespassing events and send an alert message to a central monitoring location or nearby law enforcement (22, 27, 54)
From page 64...
... 64 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way cameras in addition to other technologies. The cameras can detect objects up to 1,000 feet away in a range of lighting and weather conditions.
From page 65...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 65   Trespassing events were reduced by 80% after the installation of the system. Finland pilottested a detection system composed of CCTV combined with sound warnings in 2014.
From page 66...
... 66 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way currently using video analytics, 60% classified video analytics as effective. For the question as to which one strategy they would choose, two respondents chose video analytics because of its real-time capability.
From page 67...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 67   Privacy and legal protection issues for those who reside near the tracks being surveilled by drones, and data storage issues may need to be addressed in advance (22)
From page 68...
... 68 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: Illinois Department of Transportation, Special Study of Trespassing on the Chicago Transit Authority (11)
From page 69...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 69   inexpensive method of railway suicide prevention; however, it may not be effective on other types of railroad injuries and fatalities. Effectiveness According to the survey, 84% of the U.S.
From page 70...
... 70 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: Jeffery Warner, TTI. Description Approaching train alerts can include in-pavement lights that activate for approaching trains at stations and grade crossings.
From page 71...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 71   In-pavement lighting is known to be effective in improving driver compliance with the grade crossing signals (62)
From page 72...
... 72 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: Illinois Department of Transportation, Special Study of Trespassing on the Chicago Transit Authority (11) (left)
From page 73...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 73   Source: Illinois Department of Transportation, Special Study of Trespassing on the Chicago Transit Authority (11)
From page 74...
... 74 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way crossing has "Danger -- Keep Off Tracks -- High Voltage" signs. CTA also deploys a codeof-conduct sign that states, "No one permitted on tracks except employees on duty" at the end of the platform barriers.
From page 75...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 75   Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metro-North Railroad Description This strategy brings diverse community partners together to address railroad trespassing. Two of these community-based approaches include CARE (66)
From page 76...
... 76 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way • New York, New York, MNCR and LIRR -- The TRACKS program was initiated by LIRR and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to bring together community partners, outreach, education, inspections, and new technology to address trespassing (67)
From page 77...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 77   Photo Credit: JenRhotonCo. Source: Operation Lifesaver.
From page 78...
... 78 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way provided by FTA. FTA reports that in 2019, $175,000 in grants was funded through the partnership with Operation Lifesaver to help transit agencies address rail safety concerns in their communities (73)
From page 79...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 79   Source: Illinois Department of Transportation, Special Study of Trespassing on the Chicago Transit Authority (11)
From page 80...
... 80 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way schedules, the agency currently offers a 2-hour course. The agency also has an employee recognition program to encourage employees to report interventions.
From page 81...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 81   Source: Utah Transit Authority, Rail Trespass and Suicide Prevention: Safety, Research and Demonstration Grant (45)
From page 82...
... 82 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Current Use Seventy-one percent of the U.S.
From page 83...
... Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Trespassing Countermeasure Strategies and Current Practices 83   Source: Union Pacific. Description Enforcement is used to reduce trespass violations by increasing the consequences of trespassing (74)
From page 84...
... 84 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way (70)

Key Terms



This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.