For the second straight year, BNSF Railway awarded the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) with the “Tracking to Zero” award. This award is presented to states that average fewer than one grade crossing incident per one million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective jurisdictions. Idaho also received this award in 2024, the inaugural year of the recognition.
“Tracking to Zero” recognizes ITD’s outstanding efforts in advancing grade crossing safety, as well as the state of Idaho’s commitment to achieving zero preventable incidents on the BNSF rail network. ITD received the award in person at the District 1 office in Coeur d’Alene on July 10.
Examples of actions taken by the winning state Departments of Transportation to improve railroad crossing safety include, but are not limited to:
- Installing grade-crossing separations
- Enhancing signal systems 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
