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From page 29... ... 29 C H A P T E R 5 This chapter discusses strategies designed to deter trespassing on rail transit and commuter rail rights-of-way. Classified into three categories, the 14 trespass mitigation countermeasures that have been identified and documented in this guidebook are as follows: • Engineering and Physical Measures – Fencing, channelization, and barriers – Landscaping – Anti-trespass guard panels – PSDs – Surveillance and detection – Lighting – Approaching train alerts – Track retrieval device • Education and Engagement – Signage – Community-based collaboration – Public and industry events and campaigns – Employee intervention training – Hope Poles • Enforcement – Law enforcement and patrol The discussion of each trespass mitigation countermeasure includes the following sections: • Description provides a brief overview of the countermeasure. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... 30 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Engineering and Physical Measures Engineering and Physical Measures -- Fencing, Channelization, and Barriers Description Fencing, channelization treatments, and physical barriers guide pedestrians to designated locations and away from unauthorized areas. Applications Purpose Fencing is one of the most widely used countermeasures to prevent access to railway tracks by unauthorized people. Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 31 where trespassing is a known issue. UTA has been actively installing fencing along the right-ofway, including non-climbing fences. Read the entire page →
From page 32... ... 32 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way fence the entire railroad. Fencing was reported to be used on all aboveground rail lines; however, fencing is not used largely on the underground system. Read the entire page →
From page 33... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 33 accidentally diverting a trespasser from one location to another undesirable location to cross. Fencing needs to be installed long enough to block access; however, covering the entire property could trap people in the right-of-way. Read the entire page →
From page 34... ... 34 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Benefit-Cost Tradeoffs Benefits of a general fencing system could include the following: (a) there may not be issues with cutting or scaling if the fences are heavy metal with smaller mesh size, and (b) Read the entire page →
From page 35... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 35 Current Uses The DART system directs pedestrian flow with barriers designed as planter boxes in stations, as shown in Figure 19. In the design of new rail lines, ProRail integrated ponds along rail rightsof-way to restrict access. Read the entire page →
From page 36... ... 36 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Challenges and Limitations The use of landscaping, however, requires regular maintenance to be effective consistently and to prevent sight distance issues for train operators (40) Read the entire page →
From page 37... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 37 Applications Purpose Anti-trespass guard panels are designed to prevent trespassers from accessing the track as well as inform people not to enter unauthorized places (47, 48, 49, 50) Read the entire page →
From page 38... ... 38 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Challenges and Limitations A concern with the panels is trapping trespassers on the right-of-way if they entered at another point. Additionally, it could be challenging for railroad employees to access the right-of-way due to the panels or to evacuate train occupants during an emergency (48) Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 39 Ease of Implementation Anti-trespass guard panels require a longer lead time and typically involve high capital costs since panels are versatile, allowing for different applications at different types of locations. Engineering and Physical Measures -- PSDs Description PSDs stretch the entire length of the platform's edge to create a physical barrier preventing access to the right-of-way. Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... 40 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Source: London Underground (38) Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 41 Applications Purpose After a camera or sensor detects a trespass event, the system sends audible and visual signals to the monitoring workstation or automatically sounds a warning (57, 60, 61) Read the entire page →
From page 42... ... 42 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way strong suits. The MTA Metro system reported the use of a thermal camera in the yard that processes in real time using a machine-learning algorithm that builds a database for better detection over time. Read the entire page →
From page 43... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 43 which will be expanded to the entire TRE system. In addition, TRE is looking to install cameras at stations. Read the entire page →
From page 44... ... 44 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Implementation Companion Countermeasures In most cases, camera detection systems are combined with a sound warning system or enforcement (60, 61) Read the entire page →
From page 45... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 45 Benefit-Cost Tradeoffs Camera systems and track surveillance could help detect pre-suicidal behavior (e.g., walking or loitering close to or on tracks) at an early stage, and timely intervention could be activated, such as early braking of a train or intervention by station staff (58) Read the entire page →
From page 46... ... 46 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way the railroad rights-of-way. Additionally, this countermeasure may require a human workforce for monitoring without adopting advanced video analytics. Read the entire page →
From page 47... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 47 Benefits and Costs Identified Effectiveness According to the online surveys, 84% of the U.S. rail transit and commuter rail agency respondents are currently using lighting as a trespass mitigation countermeasure, with 88% classifying lighting as an effective measure. Read the entire page →
From page 48... ... 48 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Current Uses The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) uses platform edge lights on its heavy rail station platforms (see Figure 27) Read the entire page →
From page 49... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 49 Costs No cost information was collected during the literature review and case studies. Benefit-Cost Tradeoffs Approaching train alerts increase safety by providing audible and visual alerts of approaching trains. Read the entire page →
From page 50... ... 50 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Applications Purpose A track retrieval device is beneficial for reducing safety risks to employees and patrons by offering a tool to retrieve items without accessing the track bed. Target System Types and Locations This tool is particularly applicable to heavy rail and commuter rail lines with electrified thirdrail segments and other systems with high-platform station designs. Read the entire page →
From page 51... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 51 Challenges and Limitations No challenges or limitations were reported during the literature review and case studies. Benefits and Costs Identified Effectiveness The effectiveness of this countermeasure relies heavily on patrons seeking authorized personnel to assist in retrieving items dropped from the platform. Read the entire page →
From page 52... ... 52 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Target Root Causes Signage is targeted at warning those who are willing to access rail rights-of-way without permission. Current Uses MTA is addressing trespassing issues using external measures, such as signs. Read the entire page →
From page 53... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 53 Source: Dallas Area Rapid Transit (24) Read the entire page →
From page 54... ... 54 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Best Practices and Lessons Learned The RESTRAIL study recommended that both warning signs and prohibitive signs need to be installed at hotspots (76) Read the entire page →
From page 55... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 55 Education and Engagement -- Community-Based Collaboration Description Community-based collaboration brings many different partners together to address railroad trespassing by allowing each agency/group to leverage its resources. Applications Purpose Community-based collaboration can be vastly different depending on the partnering agencies and their goals. Read the entire page →
From page 56... ... 56 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Challenges and Limitations No challenges or limitations were reported on this countermeasure during the literature review and case studies. Benefits and Costs Identified Effectiveness The TRACKS program has been effective at reducing fatalities, with a 33% reduction in fatalities since implementing the program on the MNCR and LIRR systems (81) Read the entire page →
From page 57... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 57 Ease of Implementation Community-based collaborations could be easy to implement compared with engineering and physical measures; however, because the countermeasure requires coordination with outside entities, there could be potential administrative complexity. Education and Engagement -- Public and Industry Events and Campaigns Description Public and industry events and campaigns include informational material campaigns (e.g., distribution of pamphlets) Read the entire page →
From page 58... ... 58 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way RESTRAIL also recommends that this strategy be used in combination with other engineering, education, or enforcement mitigation strategies for maximum success. Challenges and Limitations No challenges or limitations were reported during the literature review and case studies. Read the entire page →
From page 59... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 59 • Rail Transit Grade Crossing Public Education uses Operation Lifesaver as a model for other rail grade crossing public education programs (86) Read the entire page →
From page 60... ... 60 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way are offered each month, and during COVID-19, MNCR offered the training virtually. UTA also offers QPR training, which is sponsored by the state health department. Read the entire page →
From page 61... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 61 Best Practices and Lessons Learned The U.S. DOT suggested using basic safety messages that are similar to large campaigns to reinforce messages. Read the entire page →
From page 62... ... 62 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Current Uses UTA developed the Hope Poles for use at six initial locations along its light rail and commuter rail rights-of-way with plans to expand the countermeasure installation. Implementation Companion Countermeasures A partnership is needed with an entity that offers the suicide hotline service. Read the entire page →
From page 63... ... Applying Countermeasures to Reduce Trespassing Risks 63 Best Practices and Lessons Learned Hope Poles have a mounted solar-powered, motion-activated light at the top to increase the visibility of the sign and surroundings. Agencies should consider impacts on maintenance-ofway and right-of-way maintenance operations when placing the poles and choosing locations. Read the entire page →
From page 64... ... 64 Strategies for Deterring Trespassing on Rail Transit and Commuter Rail Rights-of-Way Implementation Companion Countermeasures Many agencies use educational and outreach approaches in addition to regular patrolling. For example, DART light rail posts on social media. Read the entire page →

From page 29...

... 29 C H A P T E R 5 This chapter discusses strategies designed to deter trespassing on rail transit and commuter rail rights-of-way. Classified into three categories, the 14 trespass mitigation countermeasures that have been identified and documented in this guidebook are as follows: • Engineering and Physical Measures – Fencing, channelization, and barriers – Landscaping – Anti-trespass guard panels – PSDs – Surveillance and detection – Lighting – Approaching train alerts – Track retrieval device • Education and Engagement – Signage – Community-based collaboration – Public and industry events and campaigns – Employee intervention training – Hope Poles • Enforcement – Law enforcement and patrol The discussion of each trespass mitigation countermeasure includes the following sections: • Description provides a brief overview of the countermeasure.