Recent surveys have shown that people say they would be less likely to take a train or subway due to Covid-19. However, railroads are striving to go above and beyond so that people feel safe while traveling by train. During National Rail Safety Week, held from Monday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Sept. 27 Metro-North will release a new round of safety videos featuring their robotic superhero, Metro-Man.
The goal of National Rail Safety Week is to raise awareness of the need for rail safety education and empower the general public to keep themselves safe near highway-rail grade crossings and railroad rights-of-way. This year, many Rail Safety Week activities will emphasize social media and virtual safety messaging. LIRR and Metro-North will also use the opportunity to focus on ways to stay safe during the pandemic such as wearing face coverings and following proper social distancing.
Metro-North’s Metro-Man reminds customers how to travel safely on the railroad via a series of new videos that will be released via Metro-North’s social media channels during Rail Safety Week. The popular mascot will be handing out masks at Grand Central Terminal on Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 12 – 1 p.m. In recent weeks, he has distributed PPE at stations in New York and Connecticut.
Metro-North employees, along with Metro-Man, will be participating in #REDOUT For Rail Safety on Friday, Sept. 25 by encouraging employees to wear a red shirt to support rail safety. Metro-Man, in his #REDOUT shirt will be making an appearance at a grade crossing along Metro-North territory.
The annual Safety Poster Contest invites students from grades pre-K through 12 to create posters illustrating what they believe is most important about rail safety. Metro-North will launch the contest with a call for entries via its social media channels and local school outreach. 2019 winners can be found on the Metro-North TRACKS website.
Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Accomplishments
100% of Metro-North’s 103 grade crossings are represented in the Waze app. Metro-North continues its effort to install delineators at all crossings throughout New York and Connecticut and will have full installation by Summer 2021. Metro-North’s TRACKS program was awarded the APTA Gold Safety Award in 2018.