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Operation Lifesaver is a nationwide, nonprofit public education and awareness program that is dedicated to ending collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail intersections and on railroad rights-of-way.

Through a network of State Coordinators in 49 states (excluding Hawaii) and the District of Columbia,  Operation Lifesaver sends over 3,000 volunteers into the field to deliver a public safety message.

It is sponsored cooperatively by federal, state, and local government agencies, civic organizations, and the nation's railroads.

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Indiana Operation Lifesaver is comprised of a group of
concerned individuals and companies throughout the state.
Statistics show that the Indiana Operation Lifesaver program works!

Check the bottom of this page or click here to see how you can arrange to
have a presentation given to your group or organization.

 Be a volunteer for Indiana Operation Lifesaver. 
Click HERE to download an application form.
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print the form.
 
 

 Indiana  Operation  Lifesaver  Links

(click on links below to go there)
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Other  Items  That  May  Be  Of  Interest  To  You

                                    

A  Message  from  the  Webmaster

A milestone for Indiana Operation Lifesaver was reached in 2005.  The Indiana OL organization celebrated 25 Years Of Service to the residents of Indiana! 

The crash/fatality statistics over the past 25 years have shown a Dramatic reduction.  The volunteer network of Presenters has been very effective in spreading the message.

We have big plans for the Indiana Operation Lifesaver website.  More content of interest will be add.  A new domain has been established to make it easier to get directly to the Indiana Operation Lifesaver website. 
 
The new domain is INOL.org (you're here now).  Typing www.inol.org in your browser "goto" window will get you to the Indiana Operation Lifesaver website without typing www.operationlifesaver.net/IN. 

Statistical charts and graphs will be added to simplify what is happening with respect to crashes.  More training opportunities  for volunteer Presenters will be scheduled.

Check back often as content will be added on a regular basis.

 

 Grade   Crossing   Statistics


2007*  FRA  Statistics
( * Latest full-year statistics available )
 

  • In 2007, 339 people were killed and 986 were seriously injured in 2,728 highway-rail grade crossing collisions.  In Indiana 19 people were killed (5th nationally) and 47 were seriously injured (15th nationally) in 162 highway-rail grade crossing collisions (3rd nationally).
     
  • There were 486 people killed and 393 injured while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.  In Indiana 14 people were killed and 13 were injured, ranking Indiana 11th nationally.
     
  • Approximately every two hours, a train in the United States strikes either a vehicle or a pedestrian.  That's 12 incidents each day!
     
  • A motorist is 20 times more likely to die in a crash involving a train than involving another motor vehicle.
     
  • There are approximately 240,528 public and private at-grade highway-rail crossings in the United States.
     
  • More people die in highway-rail grade crossing crashes in the United States each year than in all commercial and general aviation crashes combined.
     
  • Nationally nearly 50 percent of vehicle/train collisions occur at crossings with active warning devices (gates, lights, bells).  In Indiana, over 66 percent occur at automated signals.
     
  • Most crashes occur within 25 miles of the motorist's home.

     
The average train weighs about 12 million pounds. The ratio of that train to an average automobile is about 4,000 to 1 - the same ratio of that automobile to a 12oz aluminum soft drink can. When the average automobile runs over it, the can will be crushed. A similar result can be expected when an automobile puts itself in a train's path.
Therefore, remember all motorists should: "Be ready to stop when you approach a grade crossing. A train can come at any time, in either direction. At multiple track crossings, two trains may approach from different directions."

 

Funding  Grade  Crossing  Safety  Devices


Many warning devices at grade crossings are installed under the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act of 1987. The federal program to assist in funding grade crossing improvements began in 1978, under a different title. In enacting that legislation, Congress recognized the public responsibility for highway improvements - which also includes installation and upgrading of highway warning devices at rail crossings. For this reason, the federal government provides 80 percent of the financing for these projects, with the remaining 20 percent paid by state or local highway authorities. In the Northeast-Midwest region served by Conrail (now CSX), each state establishes its own priorities as to which grade crossings will be improved under the federal program. About 60 percent of the grade crossings on the Conrail system are equipped with some form of automatic warning device.
There are several types of warning devices, depending upon the needs of each particular grade crossing, ranging from the traditional "Railroad Crossing" sign to automatic flashing light signals and gates. Many variables are taken into consideration when planning warning devices, such as train traffic, automobile and pedestrian traffic, location of the crossing, and line-of-sight obstructions.
Normally, communities initiate requests for installation of grade crossing warning devices by contacting the appropriate state agency. A diagnostic team - composed of representatives of state and local agencies and the railroad - recommends to the state the appropriate highway traffic control device. When this basic decision has been made the railroad submits plans and cost estimates. The state then secures federal government approval, after which the railroad prepares detailed engineering designs and orders the necessary materials. Work begins after the materials are received.
Because of the involvement of so many parties, the entire process, from the time the community contacts the state until the work begins, usually takes about two years. 

Because grade crossings exist for the benefit of motorists and pedestrians, the public - through either federal, state or local governments - should be responsible for funding the maintenance of grade crossing devices and the public roads which cross the tracks.

The State of Delaware, recognizing that grade crossings are installed for the convenience of the public, rather than the railroad, has taken the lead in this area. Delaware funds 50 percent of the costs for maintaining automatic grade crossing devices along Conrail lines in the state.
Where governments have not yet provided funding, railroads fund maintenance of safety devices, as well as the tracks and roadway surface. Railroads invest millions of dollars each year on crossing maintenance.
The Railroads inspect and test each automatic protection device and its associated electronic circuits monthly, quarterly and annually. State and local authorities can also inform the railroad that repairs may be needed at a particular grade crossing. Minor repairs are made immediately. If more extensive maintenance is needed, maintenance crews are scheduled to perform the required work.
Maintenance of the roadway usually requires repaving of the highway surface. Asphalt is used at many crossings but rubber panels are used at certain locations where highway traffic is heavy. The average life of a standard asphalt crossing is about five years, while rubber panels have an estimated life of 30 years or more.

 
There is currently no Indiana OL Coordinator

If you are in Indiana and would like more information about having
a presentation given to your company, group or organization please contact:

oli.org
 


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Page content updated  14 - Feb - 2004