Iowa railroad safety

Protecting the safety of motorists, pedestrians and train passengers is an important role of the Iowa Department of Transportation's Office of Rail Transportation. Toward that goal, the office manages a number of programs and activities that encourage safety. They include: a program that administers federal funds for safety improvements at public highway-railroad grade crossings; a surface-repair program that administers funding for improvements in the pavement surface at public highway-railroad grade crossings; track inspection that monitors the condition of the railroads' track pursuant to federal safety standards; education and outreach on rail issues and rail safety; and participation in Iowa Operation Lifesaver. This report examines the status of rail safety in Iowa in 2005, and takes a historical look at rail safety to better understand the progress and continued challenges in safety improvements. Data used in this report was obtained from the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Data Analysis and annual reports filed by railroads operating within Iowa. Historical data, when available, will be presented for a 15-year period covering 1991 to 2005.