They will share a total of $146,237 as part of OLI’s 2024 Rail Transit Safety Education Public Awareness Grants, funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). These grants will support targeted campaigns designed to educate the public on safe behaviors around commuter rail, light rail and streetcars, according to OLI, the national nonprofit dedicated to rail safety education. Grants range from $11,267 to $20,000, requiring a 25% match from each agency.
“The grant recipients were selected through a competitive process, with agencies submitting proposals aimed at reaching drivers, pedestrians and transit riders,” OLI said in its Oct. 30 announcement. “Awardees will launch campaigns that leverage a variety of media, including digital advertising, community outreach, safety events and signage in high-traffic areas. Campaigns will utilize OLI-approved safety materials, ensuring a unified message of rail safety education throughout the country.”
The selected grantees and their projects include:
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will use visual aids and in-person presentations at schools, homeless facilities, rail stations and transit hubs to educate the public and promoting light rail safety in order to reduce incidents.
- Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) will promote light rail safety in downtown Norfolk, Va., adding new station signage and partnering with the Norfolk Tides and Norfolk Admirals to share the life-saving rail safety education message. The campaign will include in-person safety efforts around sports facilities and broad outreach across social media, radio, and television.
- Kansas City Streetcar (KC Streetcar) will create and distribute safety materials to area schools and rehabilitation centers and at community events. Materials will include animated videos, stickers and a Passport to Streetcar Safety activity book.
- MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will use superheroes and colorful socks to boost rail safety awareness through a sock design contest and Project Safety S.O.C.K.S., including custom sock giveaways with the winning design to promote rail safety education at community events (while supplies last).
- MTA Metro-North Railroad will update and create new materials covering messages on rider safety, trespassing prevention and grade crossing safety, including its popular Rail Safety Passport for young children, a coloring book that includes safety mascot Tracks the Dog, and a storybook teaching rail safety education through relatable stories.
- San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) was awarded two grants:
- MTS will focus safety messaging along C Street and Park Blvd., educating motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians on avoiding distractions, obeying signals, and paying attention to new signage promoting safe behavior around tracks and trains.
- MTS will organize educational workshops, safety drills, and community events near rail lines, distributing safety materials and partnering with schools to integrate rail safety education into their curriculum. Also, MTS will collaborate with local law enforcement and emergency services to enhance community safety.
- Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will launch a new public service safety campaign, “One Ear Out,” raising awareness about the dangers of trespassing and crossing tracks illegally.
“Congratulations to this year’s grantees, whose projects will bring targeted, creative public outreach campaigns to their communities for people riding, driving, and walking near commuter trains, light rail, or streetcars,” OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh said. “The continued support of the FTA allows OLI to continue sharing the lifesaving rail safety education message with transit riders across the nation.”
“FTA is focused on keeping Americans safe around transit, including rail transit,” FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said. “These grants will help communities across the country reach people to help them understand how important it is to pay attention around rails. Our continued partnership with Operation Lifesaver is vital for effective rail transit safety education and outreach.”
