Rail

RTD reaches out to customers during Rail Safety Week, Sept. 23-29

Tara Broghammer

RTD will join forces with commuter rail concessionaire Denver Transit Operators (DTO) next week to raise awareness among rail customers and provide resources to help stop tragedies on train tracks.

Rail Safety Week, observed Sept. 23-29 this year, aims to bring awareness to collisions, injuries and fatalities on railroad tracks and at highway/rail grade crossings. Safety Week organizers and partners are committed to providing educational resources and solutions to prevent tragedies from occurring.

RTD encourages customers to prioritize rail safety every day by paying attention to their surroundings, avoiding distractions and making smart choices to ensure safety around railroad tracks.Below are some important safety tips to remember and share:

  • Follow traffic rules and cross only at designated crossings 
  • Always look both ways before crossing rail tracks
  • When a train is approaching, wait for it to pass then look for a second train in the other direction
  • Never walk, bike or drive across rail tracks when you see a moving train or red traffic signals
  • Stand behind the yellow warning lines on rail platforms until the train stops and the doors open
  • Never walk or bike along train tracks
  • Never climb between train cars
  • Never skateboard, skate or ride a bike on the platform, stairs or escalators
  • Stay away from the overhead train power line
  • Trains are quiet, be on high alert
  • Avoid distraction from headphones and cell phones when you are near train tracks

During Rail Safety Week, look for RTD and DTO teams who will be visiting the following stations to educate customers and community members about track safety:

  • Monday, Sept. 23, 6-10 a.m. at 40th•Colorado Station
  • Tuesday, Sept. 24, 9-11 a.m. at Union Station
  • Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6-10 a.m. at Peoria Station
  • Thursday, Sept. 26, 6-10 a.m. at 38th•Blake Station
  • Friday, Sept. 27, 6:30-8:30 a.m. at Eastlake•124th Station

RTD works closely with national and community partners throughout the year to promote safety around transit.RTD launched the Partners in Safety program in 2010, which is a collaborative effort between RTD employees, customers and the public to create awareness of safety issues and take actions to promote a safer environment around our buses, trains, tracks and crossings. 

By Tara Broghammer