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| Vol. 18, No. 2 | Sept. 10, 1998 |
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| Vol. 18, No. 2 | Sept. 10, 1998 |
The campaign will inform the University community about recent changes in the law regarding use of the railroad easement and the fines and penalties that can occur if the newly enacted Newark city ordinance is not observed.
Recently, the number of trains passing through the city of Newark has increased and, at times, both pedestrians and motorists have ignored signal warnings and crossed the railroad tracks illegally. In addition, students have crossed railroad tracks at undesignated crossing sites from campus areas adjacent to the tracks.
In May, a student standing too close to the tracks was struck and injured by a passing train.
On Sept. 3, a press conference at the city of Newark Police Department was held to kick off the new safety campaign. Newark Police Chief William Hogan mentioned said there has been excellent cooperation among the three agencies and, he added, officers of the city, University and CSX are conducting an informational/warning campaign through Sept. 14, after which enforcement will begin taken.
Lawrence Thornton, UD public safety, said that safety is the focus of the campaign and fliers are being distributed to students and members of the public.
To improve safety, the University previously constructed a barrier wall the entire length of Frazer Field, making access to the tracks more difficult.
William Katorkas, public safety, said in the future, the University plans to extend the wall further east, toward South Chapel Street, to discourage illegal and dangerous crossover activity.
According to city of Newark Ordinance No. 98-21 passed in August, an individual is guilty of trespassing on railroad tracks without first gaining permission if he or she
* Goes onto the track for any reason other than to pass over the track at a marked and identified public crossing; or
* Rides, drives or otherwise causes a motor vehicle to go on the track for any other reason than to pass over the track at a marked and identified public crossing; or
* Willfully leads an animal to go upon the track of a railroad for any reason other than to pass over such track at a marked and identified public crossing; or
* Throws or causes to be thrown on to the track any waste paper, ashes, sweeping, household waste, glass, metal, tires, refuse or any dangerous substance.
"The objective of this program," Katorkas explained, "is to inform students of the dangers associated with moving trains. We also want them to realize that there can be significant danger if one is not careful."
A new brochure designed to increase awareness stresses that:
* Trains cannot stop quickly-A freight train with 150 cars traveling at 60 miles per hour will require 1.5 miles or more to complete an emergency stop;
* Trains cannot swerve-Collision and/or emergency stopping procedures can cause a train to leave its tracks, exposing anyone within the right-of-way to the danger of being crushed by a derailed train;
* Trains can approach without your knowledge-Environmental sounds as well as joggers and walkers wearing radio or tape head sets are prime candidates for an encounter that may end in tragedy; and
* Trains do not give people a second chance-Approximately 500 trespassers are killed on railways each year.
These facts reinforce the brochure's message that "Trespassing on railroad property is dangerous and illegal."
"That's the message we want to get out," Katorkas said, explaining that railroad crossings at Main Street, near the Deer Park Restaurant, and on North College Avenue, near the parking lot and Frazer Field, are two sites of greatest concern.
In addition to brochures, fliers, information sessions in residence halls and passing out literature on the streets of Newark are methods that are being used to spread the word about the program, Katorkas said. In addition, community police officers at North and West campus sites are informing students there.
But, Katorkas added, after the educational/informational period ends Sept. 14, enforcement action will begin.
Penalties are stiff for crossing the tracks illegally, Katorkas said. First-time violators could face fines ranging from $100 to $500, depending upon the circumstances during the arrest. But, for those convicted of trespassing on or in a railroad train, the fines range from $250 to $1,000.
According to Thornton, "The new ordinance is only one component in improving safety. The University, city and CSX officials are hopeful that an education campaign will serve as the impetus for heightening awareness of the dangers associated with walking on a railroad right-of-way."
Katorkas added that the UD/Newark/ CSX cooperative railway safety project is so unique that Operation Lifesaver-a national organization that advocates safe highway rail grade crossings-is interested in the results. It may, Katorkas said, decide to publicize the Newark project results nationally.
-Ed Okonowicz
Photo by Jack Buxbaum
