Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from Metrolinx’s Sept. 26 blog post, “Metrolinx is exploring innovative ways to reduce deaths on our tracks,” which was published as part of Rail Safety Week 2019. While Rail Safety Week is a concentrated advocacy and educational effort, the focus on safety around rail property deserves to be in the spotlight year-round. The full blog post can be viewed here.
In 2019 so far, there have been more than 15 fatalities on Metrolinx owned tracks involving GO trains.
In an effort to reduce these kinds of tragic incidents, Metrolinx is exploring new and innovative ways to separate people from speeding trains.
One of the ways Metrolinx is working to prevent incidents is through the installation of specialized rubber panels at high risk locations that make it much more difficult to get to the tracks.
The Anti-Trespass Panels (ATPs) are made of hard rubber in a cone shape pattern making it difficult to walk over, therefore aiming to decrease the amount of times people come into contact with trains within Metrolinx’s corridors.
“Metrolinx takes the safety of our communities and customers seriously,” said Alan Britton, Metrolinx corridor maintenance director.
The panels are distributed from the UK and have been implemented there since 2004.
By implementing the ATPs the overall goal is to minimize delays, increase the safety for the public and to have an overall better handle on the securement of Metrolinx’s owned corridors.
Metrolinx is currently working with Pacific Northern Rail on the implementation of the test locations.
