Safety
August 19, 2025
TrackSafe Houston: Working Together for Rail Safety as the School Year Begins
As Houston students head back to school, Union Pacific Railroad is working together with families, community groups and schools to keep kids safe around trains and tracks.
Through TrackSafe Houston, Union Pacific is joining local events to share rail safety tips, answer questions and provide resources for neighborhoods near active rail lines. The railroad also put up nine high-visibility billboards around the community, highlighting key safety messages in both English and Spanish.
TrackSafe Houston is a unified initiative launched earlier this year that’s designed to strengthen rail safety through communication, collaboration and investment while finding ways to improve traffic mobility in the Houston area.
“The back-to-school season is a great opportunity for us to connect directly with families across Houston and share key safety messages,” said Richard Zientek, senior director-Public Affairs for Union Pacific.
This month, the Union Pacific team visited neighborhoods across Houston, attending school orientations, back-to-school nights and church events. The team shared bilingual safety flyers, greeted students during morning arrivals and afternoon dismissals, and spoke with parents about helping kids stay safe around trains.
The outreach has focused on campuses close to rail lines, including Milby High School, McReynolds Middle School, Chavez High School, Kashmere High School and Cook Elementary. At each school, Union Pacific staff worked alongside school personnel to answer questions and provide take-home safety materials in English and Spanish.
A key part of this effort has been delivering “Clifford and the Railroad Crossing” books to students and families. To date, 1,120 of the rail safety-themed children’s books – 620 in English and 500 in Spanish – have been distributed to schools and youth organizations in these neighborhoods.
“These books give students and families a fun, accessible way to learn important rail safety lessons during school events and at after-school programs,” Zientek said.
Union Pacific will continue partnering with teachers, administrators, parents and local leaders throughout the school year, with more campus visits, classroom safety lessons and community events planned.
“Through TrackSafe Houston, our team will continue building awareness and encouraging safe habits around trains and tracks,” Zientek said. “Together, we can help make sure every student gets to and from school safely.”
Visit UP.com to learn more about rail safety or get involved in TrackSafe Houston.
