The FRA, in partnership with rail safety advocates in the railroad industry and at state and 

local governments, is dedicated to answering rising rail transportation demands with an 

equally powerful commitment using education to keep people safe around railroad-rights-ofway.

 In 2011, more than 412 people died in the United States as a result of railroad 

trespassing.

 On average, two people are killed or injured trespassing on railroad property every 

day in the United States.

 The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) works with railroads, rail labor, state 

transportation departments, local communities and schools to educate the public about 

the dangers of railroad trespassing.

What is Trespassing?

Trespassing on private railroad property is illegal. In most States, trespassing is codified as a 

property crime and a general offense. Here are some facts to consider.

• Trespassing along railroad rights-of-way is the leading cause of rail-related deaths in 

America. 

• Nationally, more than 400 trespass fatalities and nearly as many injuries occur each year 

along railroad rights-of-way, the vast majority of which are preventable. 

• The railroad-operating environment is an inherently hazardous one for the general public. 

Railroad employees have the benefit of extensive safety training, as such; the general public 

should always stay away from railroad right-of-ways. 

• Trespassers frequently sustain life-threatening injuries by failing to use designated locations 

such as highway-rail grade crossings or dedicated pedestrian access paths. 

• A list of State-by-State rail trespassing laws is available in FRA’s Compilation of State Laws 

and Regulations Affecting Highway-Rail Crossings.

Role of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)

To highlight our commitment, FRA has formed a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety and 

Trespass Prevention Team to reduce the prevalence, popular indifference, and social acceptability 

of trespassing by carrying out wide-ranging efforts, primarily focusing on public education.

• FRA issues guidance to aid railroads and communities in adopting specific trespass 

countermeasures and mitigation strategies, including a Community Trespassing Prevention 

Guide. 

• FRA works in partnership with the rail industry, State and local governments, and other 

transportation and public safety organizations to raise public awareness about the inherent 

dangers and consequences of trespassing, through presentations and dialogues at schools, 

workplaces, and community and civic groups across the country.

Federal Railroad Administration 

Railroad Trespassing

Fact Sheet
• FRA also maintains a database of trespass fatalities and injuries, compiled from reports 

submitted by railroads as required under Federal law.

• In order to better understand trespass behavior, FRA issued a report in March 2008 (RailTrespasser Fatalities: Developing Demographic Profiles) based upon an analysis of three 

years of reported rail trespasser fatalities. More recently in 2008 and 2012, FRA sponsored

two Right Of Way Fatality and Trespass Prevention Workshops. 

Role of Railroads and Local Law Enforcement

Railroads and local law enforcement agencies are taking action to prevent railroad trespassing. 

• Railroads and local law enforcement also conduct targeted educational outreach programs, 

often in conjunction with Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI).

• Railroads dispatch security personnel and coordinate patrols with local law enforcement 

agencies to cite and/or arrest violators in areas frequented by trespassers.

• Law enforcement agencies and judicial officials, in particular, are critical towards the 

success of these efforts, since effective policing of railroad rights-of-way and the issuance of 

citations or tickets can significantly deter would-be or repeat violators.

• Railroads also develop specific trespass countermeasures with local communities when 

possible.

For more information contact:

FRA Office of Public Affairs

(202) 493-6024

www.fra.dot.gov

February 2013