The streets of Fort Worth may soon be safer and less congested around train crossings. In a move to enhance safety, the city's Transportation & Public Works Department (TPW) has teamed up with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). This partnership will focus on improving grade-separation rail crossings and reactivating stalled safety projects, as well as upkeeping the city's extensive network of 150 railroad crossings. As part of the initiative, TPW enlightened UPRR on their master plan, dubbed Moving a Million, which aims to employ smart cities technology for better managing regularly obstructed train passages.
During the meeting, Kelly Porter, assistant director of regional transportation and innovation for TPW, confirmed the alignment with railroad operators, stating, per the City of Fort Worth, "We have been working for several years to develop and maintain meaningful relationships with our railroad operators and other partners." Porter also expressed contentment with UPRR's support for TPW's prioritization and project development process through their Master Transportation Plan. Porter's comments underscore the long-term commitment of the city to make railroad crossings not just safer, but more efficient.
The collaboration includes advancing road improvements at crossings, identifying new technologies to aid safety while enhancing traffic flow, and enhancing communications with stakeholders. These steps reflect a proactive approach to addressing the current infrastructure challenges faced at rail intersections.
Public safety remains a paramount concern for both the city and UPRR. The public needs to remember that trains, even when appearing to crawl slowly at a crossing, represent a significant hazard. In cases where trains stop for an extended time or if other safety issues are recognized, the public can call 888-877-7267 to reach the railroad dispatch center. This sort of vigilance can truly prevent disaster. A video also illustrates the importance of calling and sharing the crossing ID number from the Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs posted at railroad crossings to rapidly alert operators and to potentially stop train traffic before an accident can occur.
