Operation Lifesaver: New Directions for Rail Safety Awareness and Education

Joyce C. Rose, President, Operation Lifesaver, Inc.AASHTO Standing Committee on Rail Transportation, Washington DC, February 19, 2013

Operation Lifesaver: New Directions for Rail Safety Awareness and Education

Celebrating 40 Years of Safety

Changes in Technology

Crossing Safety Improvements

Pedestrian Challenges Remain

6

OL Outreach Responds to Changing Times

Current OL Outreach:• 50 State programs• 1,400 presenters • 1.2 M people reached in

2012

New Outreach

• Convert education programs, including presenter certification program, to web-based volunteer training.

• Make greater use of digital technology, social media, and e-Learning to differentiate the OL brand, increase public awareness and deliver education campaigns.

Importance of U.S. Rail Safety Education

• Light rail, commuter rail and other streetcar ridership is increasing

• Freight railroads are increasing market share

• Documented increase in distraction due to electronic devices

Renewing the OLI Organization.

1. Raise awareness of the Operation Lifesaver brand

2. Increase focus on growing safety issues in passenger rail and rail transit safety

3. Expand the audience for Operation Lifesaver's safety message

To renew the OLI organization and meet today’s safety challenges, we will:

OLI Partnerships

1. OLI will raise its profile through partnering with national transportation and safety organizations.

More OLI Partnerships

Passenger Rail and Rail Transit Safety

• Amtrak ridership reached a record 31.2 million passengers in 2012; in 2011, transit ridership reached 10.4 billion passenger trips

• Amtrak and commuter rail agencies report safety data to FRA, but other rail transit (subway, light rail, and streetcars) report safety data to FTA

• FTA has new safety oversight responsibility under MAP-21

2. OLI will increase its focus on passenger rail and rail transit safety.

Expanding the Audience: Digital Tools

3. Expand the audience for Operation Lifesaver's safety message

Expanding the Audience: e-Learning

Expanding the Audience: Social Media

facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Our Mission is the Same