Innovative Safety Outreach

The second tier of Capital Metro’s Rail Safety Plan is an innovative outreach effort that will allow Capital Metro to craft and disseminate safety information in a grassroots marketing style. The innovative safety outreach is guided by a community advisory group know as the Grassroots Rail Outreach Working Group (GROW). The GROW Group is made up of educators, school officials, emergency responders and community leaders to increase safety awareness in schools, childcare centers, churches and recreation centers along the rail line.

The Innovative Safety Outreach effort uses Austin’s creative industries to build fun safety education messages and use our strong sense of volunteerism to catapult those messages into the community. Capital Metro is going above and beyond other transit agencies developing a unique Innovative Safety Outreach to complement Operation Lifesaver.

Initiatives from the Innovative Safety Outreach effort include the first Girl Scouts Rail Safety patch, a Boy Scouts Rail Safety Patch, a Youth-Public Service Announcement contest, Safety Tips on Bus Radio, a rail safety website: www.stayoffthetracks.com, and much more!

Find out if you are near the tracks:

• Public Schools within one mile
• Public Schools within two miles
• Private and Charter schools within one mile
• Child Care facilities within one mile
• Places of Worship within one mile

Rail Safety Outreach Materials
Bi-lingual safety flyer distributed to elementary students near the rail line. English/Spanish English/Mandarin English/Vietnamese

Bi-lingual book covers distributed to all students near the rail line. Elementary Middle, High School

Girl Scouts Rail Safety Patch (click on the image for the patch requirements)

Boy Scouts Rail Safety Patch (click on the image for the patch requirements)

Capital MetroRail Safety FAQs

Capital Metro is currently testing the new rail vehicles. Safety is a top priority at Capital Metro and we want to keep you informed as we prepare for MetroRail service.

When and where does the testing occur?
On weekdays, MetroRail trains are running along the entire 32-mile rail line from Leander to downtown Austin for testing.

How fast will the trains go during testing?
During testing, the trains will run at operational speeds of 20-60 mph and no more than 20 mph at crossings. The average speed will be about 35 mph. The train will only travel at higher speeds in areas along the rail line that are less populated by homes and businesses.

Why is Capital Metro doing so much testing?
Capital Metro wants to ensure that the MetroRail service will run as smoothly as possible upon opening. The MetroRail trains must meet certain safety test requirements set forth by the Federal Railroad Administration before it can begin service. Additionally, Capital Metro will test the vehicles, the signal system, and train the engineers who will be operating the vehicles. This testing is critically important to a successful opening as it allows Capital Metro and its contractors to identify and resolve any issues before opening.

How will the testing affect me?
If you live in neighborhoods near the testing, you may see the train traveling back and forth frequently. These trains are faster and shorter than freight trains, so they will pass by more quickly. However, they are much quieter than freight trains so it’s important to be cautious and follow safety laws at railroad crossings.

Will the train blow its horn in my neighborhood?
Federal law requires trains to sound horns at crossings unless a quiet zone is established. A quiet zone is an FRA-approved section of track where trains are not required to sound horns at crossings. Quiet zones are established after the installation of quad gates, which prevent vehicles from driving around railroad crossings. Quiet Zones are in effect in Leander, Cedar Park and in Austin from U.S. Hwy 183 to Downtown and between McNeil/Merriltown Road and Gracy Farms Road. Capital Metro freight and passenger trains will still sound horns in emergency situations such as when there is a car or pedestrian on the tracks. Trains also are still required to sound horns when accelerating from a stopped position.

How will Capital Metro ensure pedestrian and traffic safety during testing?
Capital Metro has performed a massive outreach effort to increase awareness of the changes brought by MetroRail. The outreach includes working with Operation Lifesaver, a national rail safety program to educate the public about the dangers of railroads. And unlike any other transit system, Capital Metro has created an innovative grassroots outreach effort targeting children, senior citizens and the homeless.

Rail Safety Tips

Your safety is in your hands. Below are important tips that can save your life.

When you're in a vehicle...

• Always expect a train at every highway-rail intersection. Freight trains do not travel on a predictable schedule and commuter trains schedules change.
• Any time is train time - Always look and listen for a train when you cross railroad tracks and if a train goes by at a multiple track crossing, watch out for a second train on the other tracks, approaching in either direction.
• Be aware of the 4 foot hazard zone on either of side of the tracks– stay back behind the stop line at least 15 feet from the tracks when waiting for a train.
• Never stop your vehicle on railroad tracks. It is illegal to stop a vehicle on railroad tracks.

  

• Don't begin to cross the tracks until you have enough clearance to complete move across the tracks. If you stall or get stuck, get everyone out immediately and move quickly away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
• Do not get trapped on the tracks. Only proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train is three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
• Trains can't stop quickly, so it’s up to you to stay off the tracks and yield to trains.
• Trains can't swerve, so it's up to you to stay off the tracks.
  

  

• Be careful turning from a parallel road to cross train tracks – that's how many collisions are happening.
• Always obey all traffic signs and signals; at grade crossings the train has the right of way –; look both ways before crossing.
• Never race a train to a crossing –if it's a tie, you lose; isn't your life worth a few extra minutes to wait for the train
?
• Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly. If the gate is down, the road is closed. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.
• Remember: Many vehicles are required to stop at all rail crossings.
• Train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time — over ambulances, fire engines, cars, the police and pedestrians.
• Trains are quieter than you might think, commuter rail trains are much quieter than freight trains
.

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When you’re on a motorcycle or bike…

• Be sure to cross tracks at a 90 degree angle - and follow all the above safety rules as well.

When you're walking...

• Always stop, look, and listen for trains before crossing the tracks and be sure to look both ways.
• Don't stand on the tracks or step in front of a train - the operator may not see you or be able to stop in time.
• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fine.
• Never walk down a train track; it's illegal and it's dangerous. It can take a mile or more to stop a FREIGHT train, so by the time an engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.
• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings and obey all warning signs and signals. The only safe place to cross is at a designated public crossing. When you cross train tracks look both ways, and cross the tracks quickly, without stopping. Remember that it isn't safe to stop closer than 15 feet from a rail. If you cross at any other place, you are trespassing and can be ticketed or fined.
• Trains overhang the tracks by at least three feet in both directions and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are in the right-of-way next to the tracks, you can be hit by the train.
• Do not cross the tracks immediately after a train passes. A second train might be blocked by the first. Trains can come from either direction. Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions.
• Flashing red lights signal that a train is approaching from either direction. You can be fined for failure to obey these signals. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Stay Alive! DO NOT cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so.
• DO NOT hunt, fish or bungee jump from railroad trestles. There is only enough clearance on the tracks for a train to pass. Trestles are not meant to be sidewalks or pedestrian bridges!
• DO NOT attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. A slip of the foot can cost you a limb or your life
.
• Be aware trains do not follow set schedules. Any Time is Train Time!
• Do not walk, run, cycle or operate all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels.

If you have children...

• Talk to them about MetroRail - teach them the importance of crossing the tracks safely - "Stop, look and listen" is an important message for them to understand.
• Make sure that everyone in your family knows all these safety rules.
• Hold children's hands when crossing the street.
• Hold on to your child when a train or bus approaches.
• Schedule a time to show your children railroad tracks, the areas where it is safe to be, and those where it is not safe.

If you are a kid...

• Don't ever walk, play, skate or ride your bike on or around the train tracks.
• Never walk in a construction area.
• Be safe and help others to be safe around the train tracks.

Overview

As Capital Metro works toward providing a rail service for Central Texas, the Authority is committed to the safety of passengers and the general public near the rail line.

Capital Metro knows that many places of work, worship, education, and play are very near the track. Capital Metro is taking a three pronged approach to ensuring the safety of our community. The first is physical rail safety, the second is a national standard of rail safety education, and the third is an innovative safety outreach effort.

Safety Initiatives

Capital MetroRail will run on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. At times the trains will reach speeds of 60 mph in some areas. These trains are much quieter and faster than the freight trains that currently travel along the rail line.

Capital Metro is committed to maintaining a high level of safety on and around the tracks. Some of Capital Metro’s safety initiatives include:

• Installing appropriate signal systems, also known as quad gates, in the area from US 183 to Downtown and Cedar Park to Leander
• Going above and beyond to install quad gates compared to other cities and railroads
• Upgrading the rail line to continuously welded rail
• Installing chain link fencing to prevent pedestrian and auto accidents along the rail line
• Upgrading pavement markings and installing more warning signage at crossings
• Installing signal preemption technology at several train/traffic light intersections that will coordinate traffic and train signals for added safety at crossings.

Additionally, emergency responders will be educated through a variety of outreach methods. The Capital Metro Rail Division works with emergency responders from Travis and Williamson Counties to ensure that our local emergency responders are educated on the situations and possible risks associated with railroad right-of-way issues, MetroRail, freight, and other train equipment, evacuation techniques, and many other possibly lifesaving techniques.

Operation Lifesaver

The first tier of Capital Metro’s safety education effort is the national safety outreach program known as Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit, international continuing public education program first established in 1972 to end collisions, deaths and injuries at places where roadways cross train tracks, and on railroad rights-of-way. Operation Lifesaver programs are sponsored cooperatively by federal, state, and local government agencies; highway safety organizations, and the nation’s railroads.

Capital MetroRail works in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver to provide safety presentations to schools, senior centers, scout troops, museums, churches, and many other groups and locations in order to educate the public about railway safety and increase awareness around railroad tracks.

To date, the Austin Operation Lifesaver team has presented to roughly 33,000 students, focusing on those schools that are within two miles of Capital Metro’s railroad tracks.

To request a presentation for your school, neighborhood, or organization, please contact Alissa Schram at alissa.schram@capmetro.org or (512) 369-7759.