Volpe, in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration, is leading a community-based study to reduce the number of trespass-related deaths on rail lines. This study monitors a stretch of rail in West Palm Beach, Florida, with a high incidence rate of trespass-related deaths.

The Volpe team researched three different mitigation strategies to measure the effectiveness of engineering, education, and enforcement strategies on preventing trespassing. Their findings will inform recommendations or guidelines on trespass prevention across the nation.

The Challenge

Each year, more than 500 people die from trespassing on rail lines. A stretch of rail in West Palm Beach, Florida, reported a particularly high incidence of trespass-related deaths over the past two decades. Residents in the surrounding community are tempted to walk the shortest route—over the tracks—rather than walk a longer distance to reach the gated rail crossing.

The Volpe research team is using West Palm Beach as a test bed for the Trespass Prevention Research Study. This local community is only one example of the dangers of rail trespass in our nation.

The Solution

To mitigate the risk and raise awareness to the dangers of rail trespassing, Volpe examined incident data, police citations, and video from cameras installed aboard commuter trains to establish trespass mitigation strategies.   

Volpe is evaluating three general classes of trespass mitigation strategies: engineering, education, and enforcement.

• Engineering – Improving barriers and building overpasses.
• Education – School-based education, public service announcements, signs, and pamphlets.
• Enforcement – Patrols, fines, and legislative efforts.

In addition, the Florida DOT installed fences and barriers to block entry to the tracks in West Palm Beach, and local police have increased patrols along the tracks.

The Impact

The Volpe research team is conducting the Trespass Prevention Research Study to document best practices and lessons learned for implementation and evaluation of trespass prevention strategies on the rail network in West Palm Beach, Florida. Volpe is developing a set of national recommendations or guidelines based on the community-based trespass problem-solving process, validated through the Trespass Prevention Research Study.  

Volpe also established a community stakeholder partnership with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority to demonstrate potential benefits of implementation and evaluation of trespass prevention strategies.