FRA/Volpe Center Trespass Prevention Research

FRA/Volpe Center Trespass Prevention ResearchSponsored by the FRA Office of Research & DevelopmentTrain Control & Communications DivisionNovember 5, 2013Volpe The National Transportation Systems CenterAdvancing transportation innovation for the public goodU.S. Department of TransportationResearch and Innovative Technology AdministrationJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center1

Outline Trespass Problem FRA/FTA Trespass Workshop CARE Model Demonstration in West PalmBeach, FLSponsored by the FRA Office of Research & DevelopmentTrain Control & Communications Division2013 SFRTA (West Palm Beach, FL)2

Railroad Trespass Example2013 SFRC (West Palm Beach, FL)2013 SFRTA (West Palm Beach, FL)3

Railroad Trespass Example2013 SFRC (West Palm Beach, FL)2013 SFRTA (West Palm Beach, FL)4

Railroad Trespass Examples5

The Problem2012: 433 fatalitiesJan-Jul 2012 vs Jan-Jul 2013: 248 vs 292 (17.7% ety/default.aspx6

Railroad Right-of-Way Trespass Workshop August 14-16, 2012 Keynote address by FRA Administrator JosephC. Szabo 175 Attendees 6 Technical Sessions Breakout groups developed Research Needs7

Railroad Right-of-Way Trespass Workshop Breakout groups developed Research Needs Over 90 suggested ideas 23 Research Need statements developed FRA has initiated research on rence/trespass2012/8

Railroad Right-of-Way Trespass Workshop – Research NeedsTOPIC AREA TITLE1. Pedestrian Data collection and analysisSafety Issues Engineering designDistracted behavior—pedestrians and cyclistsLack of standard signage andevaluation of effectiveness ofeach typeTOPIC AREA4. CommunityOutreachPublic awareness campaignCommunity outreach partnershipsNational Community Awareness DayOutreach and awareness toolkit5. Enforcement Seek full police authority, across all 50 States,for railroad police officersDevelop specific railroad/transit trespass lawthat can be applied broadly across the UnitedStates (consistent language)(a) Focus on “high value” targets, i.e.,trespassers with malicious intent, homeless,drug/alcohol, other; (b) Strategies for differenttypes of trespassers—casual, impaired,maliciousStrive to have “crucial conversations” with localcourts and prosecutors to prioritize trespassSafety culture2. HazardManagement Data collectionDefine hazard managementFencing design and utilization3. Design,Technology,Barriers designed to mitigateInfrastructure pedestrian distractionExploratory technologyresearch and educationTrain-activated in-pavementlightsTITLE6. IntentionalDeaths/ActsSeek opportunities to apply for and/or developlaw enforcement grants that can target trespasscasesEducationEliminating trigger terminology from publiccommunicationExploration of trespass prevention s2012/9

Trespass Prevention Research StudyWest Palm Beach, FLResearch Objective Eliminate trespasser incidents and fatalities Provide national guidance on trespass mitigation Initiative started in 2009Study Area City of West Palm Beach, FL (2 corridors)– SFRTA, CSX, Amtrak (milepost 966-973)– FEC (milepost 296-301)Approach:Trespassing on Railway Lines, A Community Problem-Solving Guide.www.direction2006.com/documents/pdf/en TrespGuide2003.Pdf10

Trespass Prevention Research StudyWest Palm Beach, FLWest Palm Beach NeighborhoodAssociations11

Incident DataYellow: Locomotive VideoWhite: Engineer ObservationsGreen: Amtrak Near Miss DataRed accident fatalsBrown suicide fatals or attempted suicides1212

Hazard Analysis Methodology Uses the System Safety Program Hazard Identification/ResolutionProcess which is based on US-MIL Standard 882D1 Used by several transit agencies, including SFRTA, within theirSystem Safety Program By determining the hazard severity and probability, the hazard can bereduced to its lowest practical level Attempt to apply methodology to the trespass problem1MilitaryStandard 882D, System Safety Program Requirements, Department of Defense, Washington, DCJanuary 19, MILSTD882D.pdf13

Trespass Prevention Research StudyWest Palm Beach, FLA (high risk):B (medium risk):C (low risk):D (negligible risk):14

Incident Data Analysis – Locomotive Video SampleCP Mockingbird (South of WPB station platform)13 trespass events (locomotive video) All involved trespassers crossing the tracks2013 JRC Paper No. JRC2013-2532: 532.pdf15

Mockingbird CP System operational 11/15/12-02/12/13 (92 days) 24 hr Analysis (11/15/12 (Thu) 5PM -11/16/12 (Fri) 5PM) 131 trespassers 49 EB (16 to/from West platform ramp) 82 WB (27 to West platform ramp) 46% 2PM-6PM16

Mockingbird CP17

Recommended Mitigation StrategiesMockingbird Control Point (South end of West Palm Beach Station)Trespass characteristics:Most events involve rail and/or bus system users walking between west side of the ROW and east side station platform orTamarind Avenue. Many trespassers are students at the Alexander W Dreyfoos Jr School on Tamarind Avenue.The Recommended Fence Extension will connect the pedestrian ramp inner fence on the West side of the tracks (across thetracks from the bungalow) to the existing fence at the ende of the parking lot further south.18

Next Steps Support Implementation of Trespass StrategiesEvaluation Continue data collection at select trespasslocations Install surveillance equipment at additionallocations Assess effectiveness of implementedtreatmentsRefine model and implement on anothercandidate siteGuidance/best practices FRA R&D ReportLocation: West PalmBeach, FLSource: Volpe CenterLocation: Fort Lauderdale, FLSource: Volpe Center19

Marco daSilva General Engineer/Project ManagerHighway-Rail Grade Crossing and TrespassPrevention Research ProgramUS DOT RITA Volpe CenterTechnical Center for Infrastructure Systems and EngineeringSystems Safety and Engineering Division, RVT-6255 Broadway, Kendall Square Cambridge, MA 02142Office: 617-494-2246 Cell: 617-529-8657 Fax: 617-494-2596Email: marco.dasilva@dot.gov20

FRA/Volpe Center Trespass Prevention Research . November 5, 2013 . U.S. Department of Transportation Research and Innovative Technology Administration John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center Volpe The National Transportation Systems Center Advancing