OPERATION LIFESAVER By JOHN W. McCREE Illinois Department of Transportation

WHAT IS OPERATION LIFESAVER?

Operation Lifesaver is a public awareness program organized to reduce the number of accidents, deaths and injuries at rail-highway intersections. Each state conducts its program in cooperation with federal, and local government agencies, the railroads, rail labor, civic organizations and interested individuals. Nationally, the program is coordinated by Operation Lifesaver, Inc., Washington, D.C. and is funded by a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. Funding level for 1989 is approximately $400,000.

ILLINOIS OPERATION LIFESAVER

Illinois Operation Lifesaver was organized in 1976 to address the growing number of railroad crossing accidents. That year 96 people died in crossing accidents. Since then the program has helped produce a generally improving safety picture at the rail-highway intersection.

To meet its lifesaving goals, the Operation Lifesaver program attempts to increase public awareness of grade crossing hazards and to improve driver and pedestrian behavior at these intersections. Operation Lifesaver also emphasizes grade crossing engineering improvements, including the installation and upgrade of warning signals; and encourages the enforcement of existing traffic laws.

The following practices are referred to as THE THREE E'S OF CROSSING SAFETY:

EDUCATION — Operation Lifesaver works to educate people of all ages about the potential dangers they face at grade crossings. Methods used to reach the public include civic presentations, activities in elementary and driver education curricula, and media coverage.

ENGINEERING — Grade crossings must be kept as physically safe as possible, and improvements made where needed. To ensure its continuing effectiveness, the process of improving grade crossings must be monitored and community administrators made aware of federal, state and railroad programs that plan, install and maintain grade crossing warning devices. Active warning devices are being installed as rapidly as funds allow.

At those crossings where signals have not been or may not be installed, it is vital that the local agency keep its right of way clear. This helps motorists see oncoming trains as they approach the rail-highway intersection.

ENFORCEMENT — At many crossings, only laws governing motorist and pedestrian behavior separate walkway and highway traffic from rail traffic. These laws must be enforced or they are ignored. Therefore, the third "E" of crossing safety urges state and local law enforcement agencies to cite motorists and pedestrians who disregard these laws and jeopardize their lives as well as the lives of others. Programs such as "Trooper on a Train" help to enlighten members of the law enforcement agency as well as the motoring public of the dangers of rail-highway intersections.

Facts about rail-highway crossing accidents in Illinois are as follows:

1. 75 percent of all grade crossing accidents occur at crossings equipped with flashing lights or flashing lights and gates.
2. 53.3 percent of all grade crossing accidents occur during daylight.
3. 28.4 percent of all grade crossing accidents involve a vehicle striking or running into a train.

With the average locomotive weighing 120 tons, the average loaded freight car weighing 75 tons and an automobile weighing two tons or less, common sense dictates which side will be the winner in a collision. It cannot be stressed enough that a rail-highway crossing can be a dangerous place if one does not exercise extreme caution and common sense.

If your agency desires additional information or is interested in a presentation on Operation Lifesaver, contact the Illinois Commerce Commission, phone (217) 782-7660. •

March 1989 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 7