Union Pacific Urges Memorial Day Motorists to Use Caution at Grade Crossings
May 24 2006 - 4:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
New Camera Technology Installed on Locomotives to Enhance Public
Safety OMAHA, Neb., May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With Memorial
Day weekend marking the start of summer travel and vacations, Union
Pacific Railroad urges motorists to use extra caution when
approaching highway-rail grade crossings and to heed the warnings
of automated crossing gates, flashing signals and crossbuck signs.
And, Union Pacific is enhancing public safety beyond these
traditional devices through new technology -- installing more than
1,000 Track Image Recorders (TIRs) aboard locomotive cabs to
digitally record an engineer's-eye view of the track, crossings and
signals directly in front of a train as it travels over the rails.
"Installation of TIR equipment is another step in Union Pacific's
commitment to employee and public safety," said Bob Grimaila, vice
president -- environment and safety. "This equipment is a valuable
tool in assisting with the investigations of pedestrian or
grade-crossing incidents. "Grade crossing collisions across the
United States have declined by 75 percent since 1972, and we are
hopeful the TIR technology will help us further understand why
drivers sometimes do not obey the warning devices at public grade
crossings." A small camera is mounted inside the locomotive cab,
looking down the track providing the train crew's point of view. A
microphone is mounted outside to record the locomotive's air horn
and bell. The video image disk can record up to five days of
information and is accessible only to authorized personnel for
review. TIR video images and locomotive event recorder data can be
synchronized to provide detailed information about what occurred
prior to an incident. Jobs at Union Pacific Currently, Union
Pacific has job openings at many locations throughout its 23-state
operating system. Opportunities are available in train service,
skilled disciplines (e.g., diesel mechanics and electricians) and
management. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit
http://www.up.com/ and click on "Jobs at UP." About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading
transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union
Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the
country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers.
Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural
Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and
Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from
all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways.
Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only
railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North
America's premier rail franchise. DATASOURCE: Union Pacific
CONTACT: Mark Davis of Union Pacific, +1-402-544-5459 Web site:
http://www.up.com/ Company News On-Call:
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