Union Pacific Police Department s RRCOPS RailRoad Crossing Operation for Public Safety formerly C.A.R.E

1. Union Pacific Police Department�s RRCOPS (RailRoad Crossing Operation for Public Safety) formerly C.A.R.E SS/A J. Herring, March, 2010

2. RRCOPSHistory Around 1995, the UPPD created the C.A.R.E concept after an internal conference in the midwest (Crossing Accident Reduction Effort) This was the natural evolution towards even more emphasis on public safety by the UPPD Initially 24 officers were selected for the C.A.R.E. team (our version of a traffic unit), complete with specially marked units, uniforms, etc. UPPD took over complete responsibility for public safety in 2006 after a re-organization and increased our C.A.R.E. operations and efforts tremendously RRCOPS became the new name for C.A.R.E in 2010, being a more accurate reflection of the entire effort

3. RRCOPS Operations Begins with selection of location � We are data driven! Pre-planning involves coordination of the Operating Dept, Harriman Dispatch, Media Relations, and law enforcement agencies. The operation in a nutshell: We select a location, bring in a special train (usually 2 locomotives, back to back) contact and invite local law enforcement to participate, contact the media, move the train over specified limits. Law enforcement officers then position themselves at the crossings and observe motorist behavior and take appropriate action

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5. Example of violation at Opelousas during a CARE Event

7. Crossing Collisions, Injuries & FatalitiesSystem 2002 � 2009 

8. LA Success Stories In 2004 Allen Parish had 9 Crossing incidents which resulted in 1 fatal and 7 injured. In 2009 the number had dropped to only 2 accidents. This was largely from the combined efforts of LAOL, LA DOT and UPRR engineering departments and the CARE events which took place. The first CARE event in Natchitoches saw 75 cites plus 18 secondary cites in 2006. LA State Police, NPD, and UPPD all participated in the event. In 2009 this number dropped to 19 cites with only 1 crossing accident reported.

9. RRCOPS Location selection, data consideration Collision history Unsafe motorist reports Broken gates Operating department personnel (train crews, managers observations and complaints UPPD Special Agents personal experience Local law enforcement observations Many times we include an �Officer on a Train� program, offering local law enforcement the experience of riding a locomotive and observing motorist behavior from the locomotive cab

11. RRCOPS The PURPOSE of the entire event� is NOT to write citations But to send a Public SAFETY message by various forms of communication To REDUCE collisions, trespasser incidents, and increase awareness Provide Feedback to LA DOT

12. Union Pacific System

13. RRCOPS RRCOPS operations are unique to the Union Pacific Railroad who have 19 DPSEO officers. Each officer has a goal of 48 events this year. Other railroads may have similar programs This can be a very effective way of impacting motorist behavior in your community Other violations are impacted as well, i.e. DWI, seatbelt, no insurance, etc. 4030 cites were issued in events as well as 300 verbal warnings given.