Metro-North Workers Bring A Critical Message Right To Where The Tracks Meet The Road

CHAPPAQUA, NY — Drivers who were approaching the railroad crossing at Roaring Brook Road in Westchester County might have felt like they were coming up on a police checkpoint, but the friendly greeting as they rolled down their car windows might end up being a matter of life and death.

"Good morning, can I just hand you some information about railroad crossing safety?"

The quick, but cordial, roadside exchanges weren't just happening here at the foot of the iconic Reader's Digest building — they were being repeated all around the world. International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD), a global initiative, is observed every year on June 5. The goal of taking to the streets near potentially hazardous crossings is to raise public awareness about the risks associated with level crossings and promote safe behavior at these intersections.

"This is a chance to remind drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to be aware of the potential danger at crossings" Brian O’Donnell, Metro-North Railroad's Director of System Safety, said. "We want to remind everyone to pay attention to the signage and signals at the crossings. Most importantly we want to make clear that it is never safe to go around lowered gates at a railroad crossing."

O'Donnell pointed out that commuters who cross tracks near their homes or work are generally familiar with the crossings and the signals — but it can't hurt to remind those commuter of the potential perils.

ILCAD aims to raise awareness specifically about the dangers where the road meets train tracks, known as level crossings or grade crossings.

International Level Crossing Awareness Day is a joint global commitment to raise public awareness on the dangers of inattentiveness and misbehavior at level crossings. The first European Level Crossing Awareness Day was held on June 25, 2009 with participation in 28 countries, and has since expanded with participation in over 40 countries worldwide, according to the MTA.

Metro-North began participating in ILCAD in 2016, with the inception of the T.R.A.C.K.S (Together Railroads and Communities Keeping Safe) Program. Each year since, Metro-North representatives, in partnership with Operation Lifesaver, the MTA Police Department, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, and the Federal Railroad Administration, conduct grade crossing safety outreach at Metro-North crossings throughout Connecticut and New York. The teams hand out grade crossing safety brochures and material to drivers at the crossings during the busier commuting hours.

This year, Metro-North had staff, along with MTA Police Department Highway Patrol Officers, at nine locations across the system.

On the New Haven Line:

• Glover Avenue
• Taylor Avenue
• Greenwood Avenue
• Eagle Street

On the Harlem Line:

• Brewster Station
• Jay Street
• Roaring Brook Road

On the Hudson Line:

• Hudson Avenue

And West of Hudson:

• Prospect Street (Nanuet)

Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) also participated in ILCAD events, handing out thousands of palm cards at grade crossings in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

You can find more on the TRACKS program here.