Our network includes over 25,000 grade crossings. Promoting grade-crossing safety is an essential part of our operation and culture.
Trains cannot stop quickly. A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour will need more than a mile to stop once the train is set into emergency braking. When vehicle drivers or pedestrians violate traffic laws at grade crossings, or trespass onto railroad right of way, they are putting themselves and the train crews in danger.
In recent years, we've made significant investments on grade-crossing maintenance, improvements and safety programs. Our initiatives include community education and awareness, train crew education and testing, crossing closures, new safety technology, vegetation control, and track and signal inspection and maintenance.
For more information contact the BNSF Public Projects team.