OPERATION LIFESAVER

General Rail Safety Presentation

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What is Operation Lifesaver?

We are dedicated railroaders and citizens,

aiming to save lives by educating
Canadians about the hazards associated
with railway tracks and trains.

We believe that all rail incidents are

preventable.

• Operation Lifesaver (OL) is a not-for-profit funded by Transport Canada

and the Railway Association of Canada.

• OL works in cooperation with the rail industry, governments, law

enforcement, labour groups and many other safety-focused organizations
and community groups.

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Our Goal

• Our ultimate goal is to prevent collisions at railway crossings and railway

trespassing incidents in Canada.
• OL strives to achieve this by educating Canadians of the dangers
associated with railway tracks and trains.
• We believe that virtually all of these incidents are preventable.

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It’s a Fact

• There are approx. 50,000 railway

crossings and close to 45,000 km
of railway tracks in Canada.

• Every year more than 100

Canadians are seriously injured or
killed as a result of railway
crossing or trespassing incidents.

• Current statistics can be found

here.

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Warning Signs and Devices

Do you know what to do if you see the following railway warning

signs, devices and signals? It could save your life!

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Crossbuck/Railway Crossings

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Advanced Warning

What should you do

when you see this sign?

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Multiple Tracks

MULTIPLE TRACKS MEAN MULTIPLE TRAINS

This sign lets you know how many tracks are at a particular crossing.

Make sure that ALL tracks are clear before you cross. If there
is a train in the crossing, once it clears, look both ways. You
need to make sure no other trains are approaching on the
other tracks from either direction.

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Active Crossings

• Crossings with flashing

lights, bells and
lowering/lowered gates
mean a train is coming –
you must STOP.

• REMAIN STOPPED until

the the lights stop flashing,
bell stops ringing and, if
applicable, gates are fully
raised. Never go around or
under the gate.

• Trains always have the

right-of-way.

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Anytime is Train Time

As you approach a railway crossing,

always expect a train.
Trains do not always run on a schedule. Trains can
run on any track, at any time, from either direction.

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Approaching a Crossing
Train
Whistle
and Bell

Active
Crossing
(with flashing lights,
bells and gates)

Pavement
Markings

Advanced
Warning

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Three Don’ts

1 DON’T 2 DON’T 3 DON’T

PASS SHIFT GEARS STOP
while crossing the tracks. while crossing the tracks. on the tracks.

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Overhang

1m 1m
Overhang from the rail
Overhang from the rail

Trains can carry loads that are wider than the railway cars themselves.
If you are too close, you could get hit.

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Stopping and Crossing

When you stop at a railway crossing, make sure

the front of your vehicle is at least 5 metres from
the nearest rail.

5 m.

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Proceeding

When proceeding over a railway crossing, make sure the

back of your vehicle is at least 5 metres from the nearest rail.

Watch for backed up traffic, traffic lights and stop signs.

5 m.

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Collisions

NEVER DRIVE AROUND LOWERED GATES AT A

CROSSING!
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Speed Misperception

Airplanes in flight look like they are

Because of their size, trains appear to be
almost hanging in mid-air but their landing
much further away and travelling much
speed is more than 250 km/h. The same
more slowly than they actually are.
optical illusion applies to trains.

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Stopping Distance

The stopping distance of the

60 m. average freight train is 2 km or
more. That’s 18 football fields.
Trains can stop, but they can’t
When traveling
stop quickly.
at
70 m. 90 km/h

100 m.

190 m.

> 2 km
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Weight Ratio

1,375 kg 5.5 Million kg

4,000 to 1
weight ratio

340 g 1,375 kg

Just like a car can crush a can, a train can crush a vehicle.

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Overdriving Your Headlights

Always expect a train!

Overdriving your headlights This can cause collisions Watch for Advanced Warning
means driving too fast to stop where motorists to drive into Signs before crossings, then
in the distance illuminated by the side of trains at railway slow down and be prepared to
them. crossings. stop if a train is approaching.

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Distractions
Don’t text while
driving!

Distracted driving can be Never drive when you’re tired or When approaching railway
dangerous and even deadly. after drinking alcohol or taking tracks, keep your
This is especially true around medications that can blur your full attention on the road and
vision, cause drowsiness, or impair
train tracks. your surroundings.
your reaction time.

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Trains Can’t Swerve

Trains don’t have a steering wheel, so

they can’t swerve right or left.
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Stay Away! Stay Alive!

Taking a shortcut across the

tracks can get you seriously
injured or killed.

Being on or near railway

tracks without permission is
also illegal – even if no sign
is posted.

It’s considered a crime and

can result in a fine/ticket.

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Stay Off the Tracks

Recreational activities and railway

tracks don’t mix.

Listening to music near railway

tracks can prevent you from hearing
trains.

Train crews are not expecting people

on or near the tracks. You may not
hear a warning in time.

Railway employees will notify

authorities if they spot someone on or
around the tracks.

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Where Can I Cross Safely?

Pedestrians should only cross tracks at designated

railway crossings, or by using a pedestrian Use designated sidewalks when available.
overpasses or underpasses.
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Objects and Trains

Throwing objects at trains is also illegal. Any

Placing objects on the rails is dangerous and
object thrown at a moving train can bounce
against the law.
back with potentially deadly force.

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Electrified Railways

A third rail carries high-voltage

current that provides electrical
power to the train.

Never walk next to or in between

rails. High-voltage electricity
powers trains.

Never climb on top of trains or

play with the overhead network
of wires.

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Tunnels and Bridges

Railway bridges and tunnels aren’t open to the If you are on a bridge or in a tunnel and a train
public — it’s illegal to be in these places, and approaches, you will likely be hit. Tunnels and
you will be fined if you’re found here. bridges only have enough room for trains.

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Trains Can Move Without Warning

Don’t Climb Don’t Crawl

on Trains Don’t Get Too Under Trains
Close
Don’t climb on rail cars. When a Don’t stand too close to the Don’t crawl under rail cars.
parked train starts to move, the rail tracks. Overhanging rail Trains can move without
cars can often jerk with enough equipment can hit you, causing warning. You could lose a limb
force to knock you off. serious injuries or death. or even your life.

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Don’t Walk on Tracks
Walking on railway
tracks is dangerous and
illegal.

• You won’t necessarily hear a train

coming – some trains are silent and
hard to hear.
• Talking on cell phones or listening to
music near railway tracks are
potentially deadly distractions.
• Trains can run on any track, from
either direction, at any time.
• Walking, lying, or sitting on the tracks
can lead to serious injuries or even
death.

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Stalled or Stuck?

1. Get out out of your vehicle

immediately.
2. Get away from the tracks.
3. Call the railway emergency number
posted nearby and tell them about the
stalled vehicle. 45 °
4. If a train is coming: run toward the
train but away from the tracks at a
45-degree angle. If you run in the
same direction that the train is TRAIN
travelling, you could be injured by
flying debris when the train hits your
vehicle.

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Emergency Number
In case of emergency, look for the
1-800 number and mileage point
posted on or near the crossing
signal.

• Call the number and give the mileage

point found on the sign so they can find
you.
• This information may be located on the
back of the crossbuck, signal post,
silver signal control building or ‘‘No
Trespassing’’ sign.
• If you cannot locate the sign, call 911
or the local police.

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Passenger Trains – The Platform

Trains can run on any track, from

either direction, at any time, and can
be very quiet.

• Follow all signs, announcements

and signals.
• Always enter and exit station platforms at
designated areas.
• Stand well behind the painted or raised
platform edge markings – not all trains stop
at all stations.
• Never go down onto tracks – they may be
electrified. If you drop something, alert a
station agent, police officer, or other
company personnel.

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Boarding, Riding and Getting off Trains

Be careful getting on and off trains —

there may be a gap or steps down to
the ground.

• Hold on tight to poles or seats.

• Listen carefully to directions from the
train operator or conductor.
• Hold children by the hand as the train
moves into or out of stations.
• Follow the signs to know where it is
safe to cross the tracks — anywhere
else is dangerous and illegal.

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Light Rail and Streetcars

• Cross light rail and streetcar tracks

only at designated crossings, and obey
all warning signs, signals and lights.
• Do not walk or ride your bike along the
tracks.
• When you cross the tracks on your
bike, dismount and walk across at a 90-
degree angle.
• Never run to catch the train or
streetcar, or try to board when it’s
moving.
• Watch your step getting on and off the
train or streetcar.

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Off-Road Vehicles

Driving an ATV, snowmobile, or

other off-road vehicle is a great
way to enjoy the outdoors — if
you do it safely. Follow these
tips:
• Only use approved trails. Even riding next to
train tracks poses a danger — trains can
overhang the tracks by as much as 1 metre on
each side.
• Be extra cautious: your helmet and the noise
from your engine can make it hard to hear
approaching trains.
• Only cross railway tracks at designated
crossings.
• When using a rail crossing, cross at a 90-
degree angle or as close to it as possible.

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Quiz Time

An advanced warning sign tells you:

a) There is a railway crossing

nearby
An advanced warning sign lets you know that a railway crossing is up
b) To Slow
ahead. slow down,
downyouand
are stay alert as you’re approaching the crossing.
approaching a railway crossing

c) There is only one railway track

ahead

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Quiz Time

A crossbuck sign tells you:

a) To hurry across the tracks

When you see a crossbuck sign, you know that you’re at a railway
b) There is only one railway track
crossing.
ahead It’s your responsibility to slow down, look, listen and yield to
oncoming trains.
c) To slow down, look, listen and
be prepared to yield to approaching
trains

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Quiz Time

Locomotive engineers will sound their

engine’s whistle at most railway crossings
as a safety warning. If you hear a train’s
whistle at a crossing, you should:
If you hear a train whistle, be prepared to stop. If a train is approaching,
a) Be prepared to stop
stop at least 5 metres from the nearest rail and ensure all tracks are clear
b)and
If ano other
train trains are
is approaching, stopapproaching
at least 5 before crossing the tracks.
metres from the nearest rail

c) Ensure all tracks are clear before

proceeding

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Quiz Time

You’re driving through a railway

crossing. The crossing lights start flashing
Ifandyou’re
the gates come down
obeying while you’re
traffic signs on and
signals, you should never find
the tracks. You should:
yourself on the tracks while the crossing gates are lowering. Crossing
lights
a) start flashing approximately 7 seconds before gates start to lower.
Keep going

b) Abandon the vehicle

In this situation, the best option is to keep going so that your vehicle
c) Stop clears the tracks as soon as possible.
d) Back up

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Quiz Time

Most railway crossing collisions occur

within __ km of the driver’s home.

Mosta) 10 km
collisions occur close to a driver’s home. People tend to pay less
attention
b) 40 to
kmpotential hazards around them when they’re taking a familiar
route.
c) 65 km

d) 100 km

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Quiz Time

The average freight train travelling at 100

km/h, or passenger train travelling at 160
Evenkm/h,
whenrequires about what
applying the distance
emergencyto brakes,
a train can take more than 2
stop?
kilometres to come to a complete stop – that’s the equivalent of 18
a) 200 metres football fields!
b) 500 metres
Always yield the right of way to oncoming trains – you can stop much
c) 1 kilometre more quickly than they can.
d) 2 kilometres

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Questions

Any questions?

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 Visit us online at:

OperationLifesaver.ca

LookListenLive.ca

STOPTrackTragedies.ca

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