Ohio Officials Marked See Tracks, Think Train Week
State agencies are highlighting rail safety awareness to reduce vehicle collisions at public crossings.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Transportation
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Do you always stop and look for trains when approaching a railroad crossing?
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Rail Development Commission are participating in See Tracks, Think Train Week from September 21-27, 2026. This initiative serves as a critical reminder for residents to prioritize safety near the state's extensive rail network.
Why it matters
Highway-rail grade crossing collisions and pedestrian trespassing are responsible for over 95 percent of all railroad-related fatalities. The awareness week aims to curb these risks across the state's 5,600 public grade crossings.
Ohio operates 44 freight railroads across 5,100 miles of track and ranks fifth nationally in goods transported by rail. Nationwide, a person or vehicle is struck by a train every three hours.
The players
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
This state agency regulates public utilities and oversees the safety of rail inspections at highway-rail grade crossings.
Ohio Rail Development Commission
This organization funds infrastructure projects designed to improve railroad and highway grade crossing safety.
The details
PUCO inspectors conduct regular assessments of warning devices at crossings while the ORDC provides funding to upgrade crossing infrastructure. These efforts target the primary collision points to protect the public across the state's dense rail system.
Timeline
September 21-27, 2026: See Tracks, Think Train Week is observed.
2025: Ohio recorded 61 train-vehicle collisions at public crossings.
2005-2025: Rail collisions in Ohio saw a 50 percent decrease.
Market Landscape
Ohio's rail safety campaign follows the pattern established by the Federal Railroad Administration's rail safety reporting requirements to mitigate accident risks. This focus on infrastructure investment positions the state to maintain its ranking as the fifth largest rail-freight corridor.
Drivers should remain vigilant and obey all warning signals when approaching any of the state's 5,600 public grade crossings. Increased awareness and adherence to crossing safety can significantly reduce the risk of vehicle-train accidents for local commuters.
The takeaway
Always treat every rail crossing with extreme caution regardless of whether a train is visible. Staying alert and obeying all posted signage remains the most effective way for the public to stay safe near active railroad tracks.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest safety initiatives on the Transportation section of our site.
More information
For detailed data and guidance, view the rail crossing safety information provided by the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delaware Gazette.
Live Poll
Do you always stop and look for trains when approaching a railroad crossing?
