Rail Safety Week 2025: Australia, NZ, US Crossing Safety Insights

Rail Safety Week Marks 20th Anniversary, Highlighting Critical Need for Vigilance

As the railway industry gears up, Rail Safety Week is fast approaching, running from August 11th to 17th, 2025. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this crucial initiative, with over 100 organizations uniting to promote safety awareness. The annual event, spearheaded by the TrackSAFE Foundation, aims to educate the public on responsible behavior around rail networks. This year’s focus is on encouraging passengers and pedestrians to prioritize safety by putting down phones, pausing music, and actively looking and listening for trains. This crucial week is essential because, between 2016 and 2024, rail networks witnessed a staggering 744 fatalities and 812 injuries. How can we reduce this troubling figure? Through education and engagement during Rail Safety Week, the industry strives to foster a culture of safety, ensuring a safer environment for all. Rail Safety Week will be held in various locations with in-person and online events.

The Human Cost of Rail Incidents

The statistics paint a grim picture of the dangers surrounding railway networks. Between 2016 and 2024, 744 fatalities and 812 injuries occurred on or near railways. These figures are a stark reminder of the risks involved. The fatalities included 629 suspected suicides, 66 trespassers struck by trains, and 44 deaths due to collisions at level crossings. The injuries comprised 516 attempted suicides, 108 trespassers struck, and 175 injuries at railway crossings. These numbers underscore the need for heightened vigilance and preventative measures, including improved infrastructure and education programs.

Combating Near Misses: A Focus on Prevention

Beyond fatalities and injuries, the data reveals a significant number of near misses, highlighting the potential for future incidents. There were 8,313 near misses at railway crossings between 2016 and 2024. Of these, 4,466 involved road vehicles, while 3,847 involved pedestrians. These near misses represent opportunities for accidents and necessitate proactive solutions. Increased awareness campaigns and advanced technologies can help mitigate these risks. These solutions range from improved signage and warning systems to more robust enforcement of traffic laws at level crossings.

TrackSAFE Foundation: Leading the Charge

The TrackSAFE Foundation, the rail industry’s harm prevention charity, plays a pivotal role in promoting rail safety. During Rail Safety Week, the foundation has released a comprehensive digital toolkit to support its safety messaging. This toolkit includes various assets designed to reach passengers, pedestrians, and road users. This year’s campaign encourages passengers to avoid distractions like mobile phones and music devices near rail networks, and follow safety protocols such as staying behind the yellow line and holding handrails on platforms. Moreover, the campaign emphasizes the unpredictable nature of train schedules, particularly in regional areas.

Events and Initiatives During Rail Safety Week

Several events are planned for Rail Safety Week to amplify the safety messages. On Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, from 11:30 am to 1 pm, the TrackSAFE Foundation and Transport for New South Wales are hosting an in-person event at the Australian Railway Monument and Rail Journeys Museum at Werris Creek Train Station. This event will honor those affected by rail incidents with a moment of reflection, speeches, and a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by light refreshments. Registration for this event is required by August 8, 2025, by contacting Natalie Rapisarda via email. Also on Wednesday, August 13th, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm (AEST), an online wellbeing session, supported by RT Health, will be led by clinical psychologist Amir Salem. This is an opportunity for rail workers and others to learn strategies for supporting their wellbeing in the face of challenging incidents. For the rail and road infrastructure owners and managers, rail operators, governments, researchers, and members of the community, a Teams online event on Thursday, August 14th, 2025, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm (AEST) will share information on railway crossing safety projects from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. This session will feature presentations on the pilot program for ‘Augmented Level Crossing Warning Systems’ in New Zealand, case studies of active policing in Florida, and automated risk management of level crossings utilizing AI and machine learning.

Conclusion

Rail Safety Week 2025 provides a critical opportunity to refocus on the imperative of safety within the railway industry. The alarming statistics of fatalities, injuries, and near misses highlight the persistent dangers associated with rail networks. The TrackSAFE Foundation’s efforts, coupled with industry-wide initiatives and public awareness campaigns, are essential in mitigating these risks. The week’s focus on encouraging safe behaviors – avoiding distractions, following safety protocols, and recognizing the unpredictable nature of train schedules – is crucial. The various in-person and online events provide valuable platforms for education and engagement. The industry must continue investing in infrastructure improvements, technological advancements, and public education programs to reduce incidents. The long-term implications are significant: a safer rail environment can promote public trust, improve operational efficiency, and support the sustainable growth of the railway sector. This can be achieved by improving crossing safety, suicide prevention measures, and ensuring that all stakeholders prioritize safety.