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Trespasser Initiatives

Kevin J. O’Connor

NJ TRANSIT

Vice President/General Manager

Rail Operations

Newark, NJ

NJ TRANSIT Rail’s Operating Profile

• Statewide Transportation Agency

• Number of daily passenger Trains - 709

• Number of daily passenger trips – 276,459

• 500 miles of track

• Speeds between 60 and 80 miles per hour

• 330 “at-grade” crossings

• 164 Stations

• 11 Lines (also Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor and Metro-North Port Jervis Line, Meadowlands Sport Complex and Princeton Branch.

NJ Transit’s Rail System Map

NJ TRANSIT Rail’s Focus

• Focusing on “Education-Engineering-Enforcement”, NJ TRANSIT’s ongoing programs focus on reducing accidents and injuries involving trespassers and the effects of these incidents on our customers and co-workers.

NJDOT Trespasser Initiative November, 2011

• Two 17 year old male teenagers were struck by a train on a single-track bridge and fatally injured on

October 2, 2011

• A 12 year old male went under activated crossing gate and was struck by a second train on

October 3, 2011.

• NJDOT challenged NJ TRANSIT (NJT) to review our infrastructure with the goal of preventing trespasser incidents.

• Preliminary Hazard Analysis performed system-wide.

Preliminary Hazard Analysis

• Performed a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) of trespass areas on the NJT Rail system during the month of November, 2011.

- “Head-end” observations with locomotive engineers over a 30-day period provided a “snapshot” of locations where trespassers access the right-of-way that may not have resulted in injuries or fatalities.

- Identification of 67 locations on 11 NJT lines which have been identified with “risk” through a detailed Evaluation Scale.

- Of the 67 locations, 14 are existing highway-rail or pedestrian grade-crossings.

Preliminary Hazard Analysis (cont’d)

• Evaluation Scale Rating Criteria Included:

- Number of Trains

- Physical Environment: Bridge, under-grade, above grade, at grade?

- Number of Tracks: Multiple or single?

- Track Geometry: Straight or curved?

- Existing Signage? Yes/No

- Existing Fencing? Yes/No

- Type of Trespasser Activity? Crossing tracks? Walking alongside track? Disregarding activated protection?

- Trespasser Age Group: 18 above/under

- Prior Incidents?

Hazard Identification and Resolution

• Hazard Resolution (HR) performed in conformance with the Rail System Safety Program.

• Work with NJDOT on further diagnostic evaluations.

Hazard Identification and Resolution (cont’d)

• HR’s have included:

- Signage

- Fencing

- Bollards

- Spotting of trains during station stops

- Closing pedestrian crossings

- Revise G/C activation times

- Cleaning of brush

- Additional school programs

- Police assistance

- Sometimes “No Change” is recommended!

Public Outreach

• Safety Education Program provided to schools throughout NJ and NY service areas (approximately 140 schools/30,000 students annually.

• Safety Education Program now includes presentations by locomotive engineers and NJT Police to re-enforce the traumatic circumstances resulting from a fatality to a trespasser.

• Driver Education Safety Programs presented to high schools (approximately 25 schools/4,000 students annually).

Suicide Prevention Program

• Formed in conjunction with Monmouth County in October, 2008 due to teen suicides.

• NJT developed and posted signage with toll free phone number at all stations.

Suicide Prevention Signage

Customer Safety Fencing Initiative

• Fencing installed in 2007 to channel customers leaving a train platform so they stay behind the activated grade crossing gates.

• 33 stations received the Customer Safety Fencing enhancements.

Customer Safety Fencing Installation

Customer Safety Fencing Installation Signage

Customers Provided with Clear Instructions

Recent Customer Safety Fencing Enhancements

We are Continually Enhancing Safety…

However, the Challenge Continues…!

However, the Challenge Continues…!

However, the Challenge Continues…!

However, the Challenge Continues…!

Grade Crossing Safety

• Diagnostic Teams are formed by NJT, NJDOT, and

local stakeholders to evaluate the adequacy of the warning devices at crossings system-wide and to upgrade them when necessary.

• NJ TRANSIT inspects and maintains all crossings on a periodic basis per federal regulations to ensure that all warning devices are working as intended.

• NJ TRANSIT Police work closely with local law enforcement agencies to target motorists and pedestrians who ignore warning devices.

Grade Crossing Enhancements

• NJ TRANSIT highway-rail grade crossings designed, built and updated per FHWA MUTCD and FRA regulations.

• As part of NJDOT/NJ TRANSIT trespasser initiative, two crossings have been identified for experimental enhancements.

• Designs and implementation of enhancements are being reviewed in conjunction with FRA Volpe Center.

• FRA Volpe Center installed cameras at both crossings to provide pre-installation evaluation.

Grade Crossing Enhancements (cont’d)

• Outwater Lane – Plauderville/Garfield, NJ.

To be equipped with “Second Train Warning” electronic visual and audio signage.

Outwater Lane Plauderville/Garfield, NJ

2nd Train Approaching Project Electronic Signage

Grade Crossing Enhancements (cont’d)

• Atlantic Avenue - Matawan, NJ.

To be equipped with pedestrian gate Enhancements.

Atlantic Avenue Matawan, NJ

Pedestrian Gate Enhancements Vincent Margagliotta, an NJT Engineering-Signal Department employee, is the

sole designer and builder of this enhancement prototype.

Trespasser and Intrusion Programs

• “Intrusion Reporting” is provided by locomotive engineers, train crews, and on-track employees to identify areas of trespasser activity.

• “No Trespassing” (bi-lingual) signage developed and is placed strategically and includes state trespassing statute to facilitate NJTPD citations.

• A policy on “Right of Way Fencing” guides NJ TRANSIT’s efforts.

- This policy provides guidelines for the allocation of resources based on the SSPP Hazard Analysis process which includes incident/accident data, employee feedback, geographic location and frequency of service.

Trespasser and Intrusion Programs (cont’d)

• Since August 2003, 21 locations totaling 32,450 feet of fencing have been completed system-wide at a cost of $2,920,000.

Standard Fencing

High Security Fencing

New Signage Developed with NJT Police

Signage Developed Specifically for Bridges

However, the Challenge Continues…

Summary

• Long term initiative

• Commitment of NJT personnel and NJDOT

• Input and assistance from local communities

New Jersey Transit Corporation