Safety
December 2, 2025
Driving Safety Forward: Union Pacific Crew’s Reports Enhance Crossing Safety
A vigilant Union Pacific train crew noticed a troubling pattern: motorists speeding through a Redding, California, railroad crossing. The crew took action, diligently reporting the unsafe behavior.
Thanks to this proactive reporting and collaboration among Union Pacific’s Northern California Service Unit, Engineering, Public Affairs and Public Projects teams – along with local and state agencies – federal funding was obtained to perform a crossing diagnostic. The result? Active traffic control warning devices, including flashing light signals, were installed to enhance safety of railroad employees and community members.
“Our front-line employees play a critical role in local safety efforts, serving as the eyes and ears of the railroad,” said John Hughes, general manager, Northern California Service Unit. “I’m proud our team took action to help ensure our employees and community members all go home safe.”
Union Pacific’s Public Projects Group is the primary point of contact for local communities and public agencies working on public projects, such as crossings.
Union Pacific does not own crossings and cannot unilaterally make changes to crossings. The entities that maintain the crossings, such as highway agencies or other authorities, must apply to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for permission to alter or improve a rail at-grade crossing in California.
Part of the process includes a required diagnostic review, which is an on-site engineering study of the crossing. This typically involves numerous agencies that have jurisdiction or responsibility over the crossing itself, including state and local agencies and other stakeholders such as the railroad. After the diagnostic review, the CPUC nominated the crossing to receive federal dollars for safety enhancements.
As for the diligent train crew, they say they were just doing their job.
“It’s been rewarding to be part of the team in addressing and following through with a solution,” said Kevin Koschnick, conductor. “Continued close-call reporting from crews, followed by local management involvement in addressing these reports laid the foundation for getting the crossing gates installed. Thanks to everybody involved, Eastside Road crossing is now a safer location for the public and the crews who work there.”
Always Expect a Train
Remember: Trains can’t stop quickly or steer out of the way. Drivers can. Union Pacific reminds drivers to always expect trains traveling from either direction at all railroad crossings. Trains can take more than a mile to stop – after locomotive engineers apply emergency brakes. The following tips will help ensure drivers arrive to their destinations safely:
- Slow down, look both ways and proceed if your entire vehicle can clear the railroad crossing.
- If a train approaches, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail. Trains are three feet wider than the tracks on both sides.
- Do not drive around lowered gates – saving a few minutes is not worth risking your life.
- Look again at crossings with multiple tracks. Two tracks may mean two trains – ensure all tracks are clear before driving across each rail line.
- If your car stalls or stops on the crossing, get yourself and all passengers out and away quickly. Call the phone number posted on the blue-and-white emergency notification signage at the railroad crossing or 911 to report a stalled vehicle.