Fatalities in marine cargo transportation dropped while commercial fishing had an increase in the numbers of fatalities from 54 in 1997 to 76 in 1998. Pipeline fatalities almost doubled, from 10 in 1997 to 18 in 1998. Numbers for all other modes are from the respective Department of Transportation modal agencies. 2 Grade crossing fatalities are not counted as a separate category for determining the grand totals because they are included in the highway and rail categories, as appropriate. 3 Does not include motor vehicle occupants killed at grade crossings.
Heavy rail is defined as an electric railway with the capacity for a heavy volumn of traffic.
It is characterized by rapid acceleration passenger cars on fixed rails, separate rights of way from all other traffic, sophisticated signalling and high platform loading. 5 Fatalites reported to the FTA for commuter rail operations may also be reported to the Federal Rail Administration and included in the intercity railroad fatalities. 6 Refers to only operational fatalities.