CTDOT Highlights See Tracks? Think Train Week 2026

Campaign raises awareness of rail safety and encourages the public to stay off the tracks

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and Operation Lifesaver today highlighted See Tracks? Think Train Week 2026 at the Berlin Train Station, highlighting the importance of rail safety and encouraging the public to stay off railroad tracks and exercise caution at railroad crossings.

With over 600 miles of railroad track and more than 600 at-grade crossings across Connecticut, CTDOT encourages everyone to stay off railroad tracks, obey warning signs and signals, and never attempt to beat a train.

As part of the statewide effort to raise awareness about rail safety, Governor Ned Lamont has issued a special statement proclaiming September 21-27, 2026, as Rail Safety Week 2026 in Connecticut.

"Connecticut has more than 600 miles of railroad track, and everyone needs to understand the dangers and stay alert around them," said CTDOT Bureau Chief of Public Transportation Jeff Gonneville. "Staying off the tracks, paying attention at crossings, and giving trains plenty of space are simple steps that can help keep everyone safe."

In 2025, Connecticut experienced two vehicle-train collisions, resulting in no injuries or fatalities, and 11 pedestrian-train incidents that resulted in two injuries and nine fatalities.

So far in 2026, there have been 11 rail-related incidents in Connecticut, including seven pedestrian strikes, two crossing collisions, and one trespasser fall. The incidents have resulted in nine fatalities.

Nationally, about every three hours, a person or vehicle is struck by a train. There are approximately 2,800 train-related incidents along the rails in the United States each year, resulting in about 1,100 fatalities. In 2025, Federal Railroad Administration statistics show 1,317 pedestrian rail trespass casualties nationwide, including 792 fatalities and 525 injuries.

CTDOT and Operation Lifesaver will hold various events during See Tracks? Think Train Week 2026. Members of the media are encouraged to attend the following:

• Tuesday, September 22: Operation Clear Track, with CTDOT, Operation Lifesaver, local law enforcement, and other partners conducting rail crossing safety enforcement and education in North Haven, Meriden, and West Hartford
• Wednesday, September 23: Rail safety outreach with school bus companies
• Thursday, September 24: Commuter rail safety outreach at New Haven Union Station, Bridgeport Station, and Stamford Transportation Center
• Friday, September 25: Operation Lifesaver outreach at the Durham Fair

Operation Lifesaver is a national nonprofit public safety education and awareness program dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities, and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. In Connecticut, the program has been administered by CTDOT since 1996 and is supported by federal, state, and local governments, law enforcement agencies, schools, and community-based organizations.

For more information on Operation Lifesaver, visit oli.org.