AST Digital Magazine March 2016 | Page 20

1 2 Volume 2 Union Pacific Boosts Public Safety Union Pacific improved public safety by reducing railroad crossing accidents 3 percent in 2015 to 2.28, which is the total number of Federal Railroad Administration reportable grade crossing accidents per million train miles. March 2016 Edition Union Pacific’s UP CARES public safety program allows the company to work with communities through a variety of outreach channels. Thousands of UP CARES events are held annually across Union Pacific’s 23-state network to educate pedestrians, motorists and truck drivers about how to stay safe around railroads and grade crossings. In 2015, the company drew positive national attention with the launch of two social media campaigns targeting photographers, motorists, joggers and millennials. The campaigns generated social media engagement on channels such as Facebook and YouTube as audiences viewed and shared videos, images and rail safety ideas. Launched in 2015, Union Pacific’s Crossing Assessment Process (CAP) focuses attention on crossings with certain characteristics where incidents may be more likely to occur. While all Union Pacific crossings that comply with company maintenance standards are safe for the traveling public, drivers continue to make mistakes at some of them. CAP helps identify those crossings and find safety enhancements. “Our initial review showed 25 percent of accidents happen at just 4 percent of grade crossings,” said Cameron Scott, Union Pacific’s executive vice presidentOperations. “As we find ways to enhance safety at these crossings, we create some real leverage to improve safety.” ABOUT UNION PACIFIC Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation. One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2006-2015, Union Pacific invested approximately $33 billion in its network and operations to support America’s transportation infrastru