each location. If space is not available, please move your bike to the adjacent cars.
8. Always collect all of your belongings and move toward the exit as soon as your station stop is announced.
9. Never lean on the doors or hold them open.
10. Never put your hands or any objects between closing doors.
At the Stations/Platforms:
1. Never run on or toward the station platform.
2. Always wait behind the line while standing on the platform. Do not cross the line until the train is stopped and the doors open.
3. Train stops are brief; board immediately.
4. Never try to board a train: once the departure whistle blows, when the 'doors closing' signal sounds or when train crews announce the train doors are closing.
5. Never ride bicycles or skateboards on the platform, for the safety of other passengers.
6. Pay attention to any audible/visual announcements from station message boards regarding delays, warnings, or other information.
7. Please do not drop off passengers in areas designated as "Bus Lanes".
8. We ask that passengers requiring boarding assistance wait at the top of the access ramp located at the end of the platform.
At Crossings and Tracks:
1. Always cross tracks at a designated crossing.
2. Always look both ways before crossing train tracks.
3. Never stop your vehicle on the tracks.
4. Always expect a train, on any track, at any time and from any direction.
5. Never cross the tracks when the signal indicates that a train is coming. Flashing lights and ringing bells mean STOP and wait for the train to pass. NEVER walk under or around pedestrian gates.
6. If your car stalls or stops on the crossing for any reason, get yourself and any passengers out and away quickly.
7. Either underneath the crossbuck sign or on the silver bungalow (box) located near the crossing, you can find information about the street name, railroad milepost number, Department of Transportation identification number and letter (“DOT 123456X”), and an emergency phone number to report safety or security issues at a crossing.
8. Remember that approaching trains are always closer and moving faster than they appear. Always yield the right-of-way to a train.
Safety Programs
Increasing the awareness of the potential dangers that exist at highway-rail grade crossings is an integral component of safety educational programs. Therefore, Metrolink partners with Operation Lifesaver to maximize the impact on preventing highway rail grade crossing collision and trespass through a nationwide network of volunteers, who work to educate people about rail safety.
OPERATION LIFESAVER was founded by the Union Pacific Railroad. In 1972, the Idaho State Highway Patrol, then-Governor Cecil Andrus and the Union Pacific Railroad mounted campaign to promote "Stop, Look and Listen" safety at highway-rail grade crossings. The initial teams spoke to civic groups, school groups, school bus and truck drivers. Idaho experienced a 43% reduction in fatalities that first year. (Wikipedia)
Operation Lifesaver regularly provides educational material free of charge to schools and civic organizations, and speeches on railroad safety to community groups, motorists, emergency responders, schools and professional drivers.
To request a speaker, please use Metrolink's Safety Speaker Request Form or visit California Operation Lifesaver (http://www.caol.us/)
The SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAIL SAFETY TEAM is comprised of multiple railroads and governmental agencies, including Metrolink, BNSF, Amtrak, Union Pacific, Federal Railroad Administration, California Public Utilities Commission, OCTA and law enforcement agencies coming together to work toward the same cause — grade crossing safety.
Sources;
http://www.metrolinktrains.com/howtoride/page/title/safety
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Lifesaver
Suicide Prevention
Finally, accidents, sometimes, are not accidents. Therefore, Metrolink and LA Metro have partnered with Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services to highlight a suicide prevention campaign encouraging people who feel sadness or depression, even more so during the holiday period, to call for help. Their message is “Reach out, there is help." You can find information on their website at: http://m.didihirsch.org. Their crisis hotline is: 877-727-4747.
96 - Ceres Magazine - Winter 2016