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Ground treatments

Large, irregular rocks or manufactured panels installed alongside the tracks that make footing unreliable to deter and delay entry to the railroad right-of-way.
  • Description
  • Notable Practices
  • Images and Audio
  • References
  • Resources

Ground treatments can be used to make footing unreliable at access points along the right-of-way (ROW). These ground treatments may be natural, in the form of rocks, or manufactured to achieve a specific shape and design. Manufactured versions are often referred to as anti-trespass panels or anti-trespass grids. These panels are made from recycled rubber or timber and have a surface that is difficult to walk on. Panels can have a repetitive skewed profile or a raised pyramid design.

If using rocks, it is best to use large irregularly sized rocks which can be placed on the ground outside of the tracks to make it challenging for pedestrians to access the ROW. The rocks can only be installed along the ROW outside the track gauge, so they don’t damage train equipment. In the U.S., this method is often used at crossings close to train stations to restrict train passengers from using the ROW as a shortcut to the station platform.

Ground treatments are also installed at the end of a platform to prevent people from using the railroad ROW as a shortcut or intentionally putting themselves in front of a train.  Anti-trespass panels may offer additional versatility, in that they may also be applied within the gauge and between tracks, further restricting access where trespassing risk is known to be high.

As an engineering deterrent, ground treatments are highly versatile, can easily be fit around existing infrastructure (such as columns or signs) and requires simple, low-cost installation without specialized labor [2]. Ground treatments are most effective when combined with proper channelization to prevent people from walking around the ground treatments. They can also be effective at tunnels or bridges where there is natural or infrastructure channelization. Research shows that anti-trespass panels can significantly reduce railroad trespasser activity, especially when installed in combination with other physical and behavioral measures [1][2][3][4].

Additional search terms: ballast, deterrent, grids, pyramids, rocks

  • Consider the potential for individuals to attempt to jump over the ground treatments when determining the width required [1].
  • Design ground treatments with clearly defined or accessible emergency escape routes to ensure individuals who enter the right-of-way elsewhere, including from a train during an emergency, do not become trapped on the tracks [4][5].
  • Ensure that maintenance workers and first responders can access restricted sections of the right-of-way safely. This may be accomplished through additional tiles of anti-trespass paneling which can be placed upside down on top of the installed panels to create a flat surface.
  • Post warning and prohibitive signs near the ground treatments to enhance effectiveness. (see: Trespassing signage)
  • Create proper channelization along the railroad ROW so that people cannot walk around the ground treatments. (see: Right-of-Way Fencing)
  • When applying ground treatments to crossings, which can only be placed outside of the gauge, consider installing anti-trespass panels within the gauge to prevent pedestrian access into the ROW by walking around the rocks, between the rails.
  • Reflective paint can increase visibility on the ground [4].
  • Consider adding snowplow lift signs near the ground treatments if installed in snowy areas to reduce the occurrence of damage during snowplowing [2].
  • Remove dirt, fallen debris, and snow from the ground treatments to maintain effectiveness [5].

Images:

Crews installing anti-trespass panels at a grade crossing in Fayetteville, AR. Image credit: Volpe Center.Crews installing anti-trespass panels at a grade crossing in Fayetteville, AR. Image credit: Volpe Center.Anti-trespass panels at a grade crossing in Fayetteville, AR. Image credit: Volpe Center.Anti-trespass panels at a grade crossing on Google Maps.

Audio:

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[1] Svensson, K. and Dahlstrand, A. (2019). Pyramid Rubber Mats Obstructing Rail Track Trespassers. The Swedish Transport Administration.

Description: This report describes a study, conducted by Swedish Transport Administration, to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-trespass panels installed at six test site locations throughout the rail network in Sweden. The test site locations include three at rail yard, one at grade crossing, one at tunnel, and one at station platform. The report includes data on the effects of anti-trespass panels on the number of trespassers at these locations.

[2] Ngamdung, T. and DaSilva, M. (2019). Effect of Anti-Trespass Guard Panels on Pedestrian Behavior. Technical Report No. DOT/FRA/ORD-19/23. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration.

Abstract: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), under the direction of DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration Office of Research, Development and Technology, conducted a research study that evaluated the effectiveness of anti-trespass guard panels installed on a railroad right-of-way (ROW) adjacent to the West Dickson Street grade crossing in Fayetteville, AR. The goal of the panels was to reduce the number of pedestrians that trespass onto railroad ROWs. Data was collected over 10 weekends before and another period of 10 weekends after the installation of the anti-trespass guard panels. Results indicated that the number of trespassing pedestrians was reduced by 38 percent, from 166 trespassers before installation to 103 after installation. Though these results seemed to indicate that this safety enhancement was effective in improving pedestrian behavior, it is important to note that no measure of pedestrian traffic was collected, and this safety enhancement has only been studied at one unique crossing. Additional field testing is necessary before recommendations for wider use can be made.

[3] RESTRAIL. (2014). Evaluation of measures, recommendations and guidelines for further implementation: Pilot test #7, A combination of measures at Ayden Station – TCDD.

Description: This document describes a pilot test of various physical and behavioral measure including anti-trespass panels to reduce the occurrence of suicides and trespasses on railway property as part of the RESTRAIL project.

[4] RESTRAIL. (2020, September 30). 8.5 Anti-trespass panels. Restrail Toolbox.

Description: This webpage provides information on implementing anti-trespass panels in Europe, including recommendations, considerations for implementation, and relevant research results.

[5] Warner, J. E., Lee, D., Trueblood, A. B., Cline, J. C., Johnson, N. A., & Christjoy, A. (2022). Strategies for deterring trespassing on rail transit and commuter rail rights-of-way, volume 1: Guidebook. Washington, D.C: The National Academies Press.

Objective: This guidebook is intended to provide information on strategies to deter trespassing on rail transit and commuter rail exclusive and semi-exclusive rights-of-way, including within station areas outside designated pedestrian crossings. In general, trespassing is accessing rail transit and commuter rail restricted areas without permission or proper authorization, intentionally or unintentionally. The guidebook documents the extent of trespassing in the United States; existing decision-making guidance that agencies can utilize; causes, consequences, and risks associated with trespassing; mitigation countermeasures to reduce trespassing risks; and tools that agencies can utilize to identify possible mitigation strategies for a particular trespassing problem or concern.

No resources available for this measure.