Officials with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently announced they’re partnering with Google to help make rail crossings safer for drivers and passengers nationwide. In a recent media release, the agency confirms that Google will integrate the FRA’s geographic information system (GIS) data which pinpoints the location of the nation's approximately 250,000 public and private railroad crossings, into its smartphone mapping applications. This will allow for drivers to receive notification that they’re approaching a railroad crossing.  

“For drivers and passengers who are driving an unfamiliar route, traveling at night, or who lose situational awareness at any given moment, receiving an additional alert about an upcoming crossing could save lives,” FRA Administrator Sara Feinberg said in the release.

FRA statistics show that last year, upward of 270 people died and another 843 suffered non-fatal injuries in highway-rail collisions, most of which were entirely preventable. The number of accidents had decreased by more than 80 percent over the past decade, but last year it inexplicably jumped by nine percent.

The FRA has also asked Apple, Garmin and TomTom to include these features in their smartphone mapping services as well.

“We can—and should—do everything possible to end vehicular-train incidents at rail crossings,” Feinstein said. “With Google and other tech companies’ help, I’m confident that we can achieve this goal.”

We here at Rail Justice applaud efforts to help prevent rail crossing accidents and keep Americans safe. If you or your loved one suffer injury or loss in such an incident, call 888-519-RAIL and speak with an attorney today.