BNSF Railway recognizes five states for excellence in grade crossing safety
FORT WORTH, TEXAS – BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) announced today the recipients of its 2025 “Tracking to Zero” award, honoring five state departments of transportation (DOTs) in their shared commitment to improving grade crossing safety.
The Class I railroad recognizes Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming for the second straight year, as well as Wisconsin and Illinois, for averaging less than one grade crossing incident per one million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective states. Data reported in 2024 to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) confirms the findings.
“The momentum behind our ‘Tracking to Zero’ initiative is a testament to the power of partnership,” said BNSF Assistant Director of Public Projects, Rich Scott. “We’re not only celebrating the accomplishments of these five states—we’re also strengthening our commitment to help more partners join them next year.”
The award, launched last year, is a first-of-its-kind initiative to reduce grade crossing incidents across BNSF’s 32,500-mile network. This year’s honorees demonstrate significant growth in BNSF’s shared commitment and dedication to safer communities in which it operates. (In-person award ceremonies are forthcoming with/at each state DOT headquarters.)
As an industry safety leader, BNSF relies on the communities it serves, as safety gains are better achieved by improving how drivers and pedestrians interact around the railroad tracks.
Examples of actions taken by the winning state DOTs to improve railroad crossing safety include, but are not limited to:
- Eliminating at-grade crossings/Installing grade-crossing separations
- Enhancing signal systems and signage at existing crossings
- Researching and piloting new crossing safety technologies
- Utilizing both state and federal funding to maximize railroad crossing safety improvements
- Prioritizing community education and utilizing land use planning and awareness campaigns
- Implementing various measures to reduce railroad trespassing
Grade crossing safety is an integral part of BNSF’s operations and culture. It involves daily cooperative efforts between the railroad and the more than 5,000 communities in 28 states (and three Canadian provinces) we serve. BNSF’s rate of grade crossing collisions has declined by more than 62 percent per million miles traveled since 1995.
BNSF’s ultimate safety vision includes zero accidents and injuries across our railroad. In our efforts to reach less than one incident per million miles traveled on our system by the year 2030, we will continue to recognize DOT teams leading the way in our efforts.
For more detailed information on grade crossing safety efforts taken in each of the awarded states, email media@bnsf.com.
Contact:
Kendall Kirkham Sloan
Director, External Communications
Media@BNSF.com