Safety is a top priority. Capital Metro is committed to keeping passengers and the general public safe on and around the railroad.

Safety Infrastructure
Operation Lifesaver
Grassroots Rail Outreach Working Group
MetroRail Safety Tips
Additional Downloads

Safety Infrastructure

Capital MetroRail runs on 32-miles of existing freight tracks between Leander and Downtown Austin. At times the trains will reach speeds of 60 mph in some areas. These trains are much quieter and faster than the freight trains that currently travel along the rail line.

Some of Capital Metro’s safety components include:

• Installing quad gates crossing systems in the area from US 183 to Downtown and Cedar Park to Leander, which prevent cars from driving around railroad crossings
• Upgrading the rail line to continuously welded rail
• Installing chain link fencing to prevent pedestrian and auto accidents along the rail line
• Upgrading pavement markings and installing more warning signage at crossings
• Coordinating with the local municipalities to install signal preemption technology at several intersections that will coordinate traffic and train signals
• Click here for an illustration of how quad gate crossing systems and signal preemption technology work (courtesy of the Austin American-Statesman)

The Capital MetroRail Department works with emergency responders from Travis and Williamson Counties to ensure proper education on the situations and possible risks associated with railroad right-of-way issues, MetroRail, freight, evacuation techniques, and many other possibly lifesaving techniques.

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Operation Lifesaver

The first tier of Capital Metro’s safety education effort is the national safety outreach program known as Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit, international continuing public education program first established in 1972 to end collisions, deaths and injuries at places where roadways cross train tracks, and on railroad rights-of-way. Operation Lifesaver programs are sponsored cooperatively by federal, state, and local government agencies; highway safety organizations, and the nation’s railroads.

Since 2007, Capital MetroRail has worked in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver to provide safety presentations to schools, driver’s ed classes, senior centers, scout troops, museums, churches, and many other groups. To date, the Austin Operation Lifesaver team has presented to roughly 60,000 students, focusing on those schools that are within two miles of Capital Metro’s railroad tracks.

To request a presentation for your school, neighborhood, or organization, please contact Alissa Schram at alissa.schram@capmetro.org or (512) 369-7759.

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Innovative Safety Outreach

The second tier of Capital Metro’s rail safety efforts is guided by a community advisory group know as the Grassroots Rail Outreach Working Group (GROW). The GROW Group is made up of educators, school officials, emergency responders and community leaders to increase safety awareness in schools, churches, recreation centers, businesses and the homeless community.

Initiatives from the Innovative Safety Outreach effort include the first Girl Scouts Rail Safety patch, a Boy Scouts Rail Safety Patch, a Youth-Public Service Announcement contest, a rail safety poster competition and a rail safety website www.stayoffthetracks.com, and much more!

Find out if you are near the tracks:

• Public Schools within one mile
• Public Schools within two miles
• Private and Charter schools within one mile
• Child Care facilities within one mile
• Places of Worship within one mile

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MetroRail Safety Tips

Look, Listen, Live. Below are important tips that can save your life.

Driving

• Any time is train time. Always obey all traffic signs and signals; and always look both ways and listen for a train when you cross railroad tracks.
• Stay behind the stop line or at least 15 feet from the tracks when waiting for a train.
• Never stop your vehicle on railroad tracks at any time – it’s illegal and you will be ticketed.
• If you stall or get stuck, get everyone out immediately and move quickly away from the tracks in the direction the train is coming from. Call your local law enforcement agency for assistance.
• Never drive around lowered gates — it's illegal and deadly. If the gate is down, the road is closed. If you suspect a signal is malfunctioning, call the 1-800 number posted on or near the crossing signal or your local law enforcement agency.

Biking

• Never bike on railroad tracks and always walk your bike at the station and onto the train.
• Look both ways before crossing the tracks.
• MetroRail trains are quiet. Look for flashing headlights and listen for warning bells and horns.
• When crossing the tracks at intersections, cross at an angle to avoid falling or tire damage.

Walking

• Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings and obey all warning signs and signals. Always stop, look both ways and listen for trains before crossing the tracks.
• Flashing red lights signal that a train is approaching from either direction. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Do not cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing and it is safe to do so.
• Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property and trespassers are subject to arrest and fines.

Teach your children about MetroRail safety

• Teach them the importance of crossing the tracks safely - "Stop, look and listen".
• Hold on to your child when a train approaches and when walking across railroad tracks.
• Skateboarding, rollerblading or biking on rail platforms is unsafe and not permitted.
• Walking or biking along railroad tracks is very dangerous and considered trespassing.

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Additional Downloads

• MetroRail Safety and Security Brochure
• Children’s Rail Safety Flyer English/Spanish English/Mandarin English/Vietnamese
• Rail Safety Student Book Covers Elementary Middle, High School

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