Light Rail Safety

Light Rail

  • Light rail trains are quiet. Listen for bells and horns to alert you to an oncoming train.
  • Wait for the train behind the yellow line on the platform.
  • Cross tracks only at the ends of the platform.
  • Skateboarding, rollerblading and riding bikes on light rail platforms is not permitted.
More Tips/Advice

Minnesota Department of Transportation and Minnesota Operation Lifesaver offer these tips for drivers and pedestrians when crossing a track:

  1. Expect a train at any time.  You can't be sure when a train may appear at a crossing, even if it's one you drive or walk across every day. Always be alert, because trains can run any time of day or night, on any track, in any direction.
  2. Don't be fooled, the train is closer and faster than you think. In the same way that airplanes can seem to move slowly, your eyes can play a trick on you when a train is approaching—an optical illusion that makes a train seem farther away than it really is. It's easy to misjudge a train's speed and its distance, especially at night. Don’t take chances. If you see a train, just wait.
  3. Trains can't stop quickly or swerve—be prepared to yield. After fully applying the brakes, a loaded freight train traveling 55 miles an hour takes a mile or more to stop. A light rail train takes 600 feet to stop, and an eight-car passenger train traveling 80 miles an hour needs about a mile to stop. Even if the engineer can see you, it's too late to stop the train in time to prevent a collision.
  4. Stop and wait when gates are down or lights are flashing. If the gates are down, the road is closed and you must stop and wait. That's the law. Continue across after the gates go up and the red lights stop flashing,
  5. Don't trespass on foot. Tracks and the property alongside them are private property. Stay off railroad cars and tracks. Don't trespass. It's illegal and, too often, it's deadly.
  6. Don't get trapped on the tracks. Never drive onto a railroad crossing until you're sure you can clear the tracks on the other side without stopping. If your car stalls or is trapped on the tracks, get everyone out right away, even if you don't see a train coming. Move quickly away from the tracks. If a train is coming, move in its direction as you move away from the tracks. If you run the same direction the train is going, you could be injured by flying debris when the train hits your car.

For more information, go to MnDOT’s rail safety web page or Minnesota Operation Lifesaver’s website

*COLD WEATHER CAN BE DANGEROUS* - tips from the National Weather Service