PUBLIC SAFETY

Programs
KCS strongly supports prevention of grade crossing collisions and trespassing on our property as integral parts of our corporate safety culture. When motorist choose unsafe driving options that disobey traffic control devices at highway rail grade crossings or someone illegally comes onto our property, both represent actions that increase risk for all occupants of that vehicle, the trespasser and our employees. KCS emphasizes the following programs to maximize our impact on preventing highway rail grade crossing collisions and trespass prevention.

Operation Lifesaver
KCS is an avid supporter of the Operation Lifesaver program in both the U.S. and Mexico, where it is known as Alto Total. Operation Lifesaver is 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 railroads. Call KCS or your state Operation Lifesaver program to schedule a safety presentation.

Grade Crossing Consolidation
The KCS public safety programs include aggressive efforts to close public, private and unauthorized grade crossings, thereby eliminating the opportunity for a collision. Crossings targeted for closure are normally those near other crossings that allow access to the same roads or areas and crossings that are not currently used or that have low traffic volumes. The closure of public crossings requires the cooperation of local government. Private crossings are there by request and crossing agreements are necessary between the landowner and the KCS.

Right of Way & Warning Device Maintenance
KCS invests millions of dollars annually to maintain the right of way near public crossings and to maintain the warning devices that are installed there. As much as practical, vegetation and potential obstructions on the right of way are removed. A crossbuck traffic control device is installed and maintained at each public at grade crossing. At many of these there are additional active warning devices (flashers and/or gates) installed by the state or roadway jurisdiction and maintained by the railroad.