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Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium) with a Paper in the Conference Proceedings

Rail Transport

Investigate Public Knowledge and Perceptions Toward Railroad Trespassing in the United States

Sunday, June 16, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM ET
Room: Galleria
Abstract:

Despite government efforts to raise awareness, railroad trespassing is still happening, with many unaware of its potential risks, including crashes, delays, and legal consequences. To investigate public knowledge about railroad trespassing and the motivations behind it, we surveyed 591 people from August 2022 to May 2023. We employed descriptive statistics analysis, correlation, and linear regression modelling to analyze the results. It was found that most of the survey participants (90%) never got any rail-related safety training or education. It is also surprising to see that 40% of the participants believed the private railroad property was public and 48% did not know railroad trespassing is illegal before taking the survey. In addition, 52% trespassed before. Regarding the reasons why people trespass, 68% of the survey participants who trespassed before reported shortening a trip, an official crossing is too far away, not convenient, or a busy highway were the main reasons, and 28% reported they did that just because everyone goes through there or a habit. In terms of their destinations after crossing rail tracks, 32% chose hiking, walks, and walking dogs, 26% chose going to the town/city/center, restaurant, or shopping, and another 22% reported way to (from) school/work. The correlation and regression analysis showed that railroad safety education significantly affects the likelihood of trespassing of the public. This finding emphasizes the importance of better railroad safety education and reveals shortcomings in current promotional efforts.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Reveal the absence of railroad safety education at a national scale in the United States
  • Identify motivations of the public for railroad trespassing
  • Identify key factors leading to the trespassing decisions of the public