University increases efforts to improve railroad safety#### By: Candace Birkelbach
Issue date: 1/31/07
Efforts are underway to help increase student awareness of railroad safety precautions at Texas A&M.
After the death of A&M student Walker Best on Aug. 28, the University has made changes in communication about railroad safety precautions in order to prevent accidents and ensure students’ safety while crossing the tracks on Wellborn Road, said Risa Bierman, assistant director for the dean in the Department of Student Life.
The most recent developments in improving railroad safety have been educating students on railroad safety and developing the best way to get the word out to students.
Bierman, who is spearheading this campaign, said that this semester the department has asked some of the marketing classes at A&M to help with their goal of educating students about precautions they should take when crossing railroads.
The department has also developed public service announcements with country music stars warning against the danger of not taking precaution around railroads and plans on getting them to air on local radio stations, she said.
The department is working with Union Pacific, the University Police Department (UPD), Texas Transportation Institute and Operation Lifesaver on these projects.
Joe Arbana, director of regional public affairs for Union Pacific, said they are committed to railroad safety and finding the best way of getting people to stay off the tracks.
“It takes trains up to a half mile to completely stop during emergency braking procedures, and this often causes derailment,” Arbana said.
He also said students should always expect a train since Union Pacific does not have a set schedule.
Senior marketing major Chris O’Neal said he drives over the intersecti