The Federal Railroad Administration and Google are entering into a new partnership to help make the roads just a little safer. As part of a project between the two organizations, Google will include grade crossing data in their Google Maps platform for all rail crossings in the country. More importantly, Google plans to add in audio and visual alerts for drivers using the navigation feature available on their smartphones.
According to the FRA, rail crossing deaths had been on a decline, from around 12,000 per year in the 1970s down to only about 2,000 per year more recently. However, in 2014 the trend inexplicably reversed with a 9 percent increase in accidents. These resulted in 270 deaths, compared to 232 in 2013, and 843 injuries. The FRA says grade-crossing accidents are the second highest cause of rail deaths after trespassing incidents.
The data being added to Google Maps will cover approximately 130,000 crossings on public roads and 85,000 crossings on private roads.
The FRA says they have also reached out to other mapping software companies like Apple, MapQuest, TomTom and Garmin to try to get similar data into their products along with the alert system.
Sarah Feinberg, the acting administrator for the FRA, says
“The vast majority of these accidents and deaths are preventable. In some cases, maybe a driver intends to beat the train, thinks they are familiar with the route or still have time to cross. But there are many cases where drivers lack situational awareness, because it may be dark or the route is unfamiliar.”
Feinberg says it made more sense to provide grade-crossing data to Google, and others, to be incorporated into their products rather than trying to get users to access it using the FRA’s own app.
Operation Lifesaver president Joyce Rose notes,
“It’s another tool in the toolbox to make the public safer. This is going to help raise awareness about where crossings are and, hopefully, remind drivers to act safely as they approach.”
source: The New York Times
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