SAFETY: After two years of virtual conferences, the International Level Crossing Awareness Day organised by the International Union of Railways returns to a live format with a three-day launch event in Denver.
Taking place annually since 2009, ILCAD is supported by railways around the world, with around 50 countries expected to participate in the 2022 campaign. Each year takes a different focus, and the 14th annual event will target ‘vulnerable people’, using the slogan ‘Don’t put your life at risk, stay away from tracks!’
Each year, a partner country hosts a launch event, providing an opportunity to share good practice and report on projects to raise awareness of the dangers surrounding level crossings and improve safety. This conference brings together representatives from the rail and road sectors, as well as public authorities, academics and other interested parties.
Around 150 participants are expected to gather in Denver for the 2022 conference on June 9, which is being hosted by the Association of American Railroads, Federal Railroad Administration and Operation Lifesaver Inc.
This year’s ILCAD conference will focus on three main aspects of level crossing safety:
- technologies that can help educate people, raise awareness and prevent accidents;
- regulations and enforcement initiatives by railways, local authorities and the police;
- community outreach and the best ways of making people aware of the safety risks at crossings.
The launch conference will be preceded by a half-day seminar on Trespass & Suicide Prevention taking place on June 8. This is intended to identify what individual organisations can do to help prevent trespassing and suicides, what else might be needed, and how different parties can work together on these issues.
