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Frequently Asked Questions

Barbara Burns has led the Transit Safety group for four years. Here are her answers to questions parents, students and teachers frequently ask her.

Why does Metro build light rail projects near schools?

Students are a core ridership for Metro. On the Exposition Light Rail line, for example, having a station near Dorsey High School and Foshay Learning Center will allow those students to quickly connect to the Metro Rail system, saving parents from making so many trips transporting their children.

Do you find it easier to train children in transit safety or adults?

Definitely children, because they absorb the importance of what we are sharing.

When you are training children in schools, what are the questions they most often ask you?

“Can you take dogs on trains, why can’t you eat on trains,” and my personal favorite, “if you get hit by a train will you get smashed?”

Rather than train riders and neighbors how to live with light rail lines and the Orange Line, why not simply build transit projects above or below surface streets?

It is not always cost effective, and there may not be enough room. When people discuss monorails, for instance, they often forget the considerable space required for the stations.

Isn’t using a transit system as simple as getting on and getting off a vehicle?

It should be, but transit riders are busy multi-tasking, using cell phones and basically distracted. Or, in their hurry to beat a train, they do something they really shouldn’t do.

How do you approach user safety for the Metro Orange Line compared to safety for users of the rail lines?

The Orange Line has many of the same problems as rail without the advantage of arms and bells. It was important to emphasize to drivers they could make no left turn on red and don’t run red lights.

What is the biggest thing transit users overlook in terms of safety?

When the gate arms lower, it means the train is definitely coming. When drivers and pedestrians and bicycle riders see those arms lower or when they hear warning bells, they need to focus their attention on that train.

When does the Transit Safety program begin community outreach for a new transit project?

We try to safety train all of the schools, and senior centers within a 1.5 mile radius prior to the testing of trains.

When you visit schools, what are you trying to accomplish?

We try to reach all of the kids in the school. We then ask that they take the message home to their families so they can help us keep them all safe. It really works, they do it.

Does your training take into consideration a school’s proximity to the Metro a transit system?

Yes, we automatically train within a 1.5 mile radius, but we will go to any school or community group that requests a presentation.

Do you have different training materials and techniques for the different age groups you train?

We divide the training into two age groups. Under 10 and over 10. Now, that said, we do alter the program for pre-school because of the shorter attention span.

What kinds of materials do you use?

We use site-specific Power Point presentations, animated videos for under 10 and live action videos for over 10. We also have an interactive station by station video that can be played on a computer or DVD player to give more in depth instruction.

Has the Metro Transit Safety program created any innovations in safety training?

Yes. We created two videos: one animated and one live action. The live action video has won 17 awards. We have won two more awards for our safety video for the Metro Orange Line.

We just began advertising rail safety through public service announcements in grocery stores.

I don’t believe another transit agency uses customized interactive videos. We use our videos continually.

Why is it important for Metro to have a Transit Safety Program?

Seventy-nine people have died on the Blue Line. Since we created the light rail program, accidents have dropped dramatically.”

How do you know it has made a difference?

Accidents have slowed dramatically on the Blue Line and there have been no serious accidents on the Gold Line.

How do neighbors of the Blue, Gold, and Orange lines receive transit safety training?

Primarily we work through the schools. However, we also do outreach to community groups, recreation facilities, and senior centers.

How long has the Transit Safety Program existed?

Originally we used Operation Lifesaver’s heavy rail (freight trains) program prior to the opening of the Gold Line in 2003. We found, however, that there are big differences between light and heavy rail, such as the greater frequency of light rail trains.