Norfolk Southern has awarded a grant to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s (TTI’s) Teens in the Driver Seat (TDS) program. These funds will support rail safety education and outreach to 100 high schools and middle schools throughout Georgia.

The partnership will seek to raise awareness of the dangers around by railroad crossings.

Tragically, a majority of deaths involving railroad tracks occur where roads and rails meet and as well as incidents that occur when the public crosses tracks outside of marked crossings.

“The good news is that these tragic incidents are 100% preventable,” said Will Miller, Norfolk Southern Public Safety Director. “The need for education and outreach regarding rail-safety is critical. By working with TDS, we aim to work directly with teens so they understand the importance of making good decisions at railroad crossings, learn that tracks are not a safe place for the public, and share these messages with their friends and families.”

TDS is a peer-to-peer program for teens under TTI’s Youth Transportation Safety program that focuses on traffic safety and addresses risks for drivers in this age group. Rail crossings are one of the areas TDS has identified as a risk to these road users and the partnership with Norfolk Southern will be a key component to the program expanding its rail safety materials and outreach efforts.

“We’re excited to be partnering with Norfolk Southern to offer our rail safety education and outreach to teens in the state of Georgia,” said Stacey Tisdale, TTI project manager II. “Year after year, too many tragic injuries and fatalities occur at railroad crossings. The support and partnership with Norfolk Southern will enable us to develop strategic and meaningful outreach materials that can help keep our youth safe today, tomorrow and well into the future.”