FAQs

Rail Safe Houston is for anyone in Houston who lives, works, studies, shops, worships, or travels near railroad tracks. That includes pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, delivery workers, transit riders, students, families, and businesses along rail corridors. This initiative is not only for school-age children it is for the entire community.

Houston has an active freight rail network that runs through residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and near schools. Trains are heavy, long, and take a long distance to stop. When people walk, bike, or drive unsafely near the tracks, the consequences can be severe. Focusing on rail safety helps reduce close calls, collisions, and life-changing injuries.

• Stay off the tracks never walk, sit, or take photos on them.

• Use marked crossings and obeyed all warning signs, lights, and gates.

• Never go around or under a lowered gate and never try to beat an oncoming train.

• Never stop your vehicle on the tracks. Always make sure you can clear the crossing completely.

• Stay alert and avoid distractions like phones and earbuds when you are near a crossing.

Yes. Through Operation Lifesaver Texas and national Operation Lifesaver, Rail Safe Houston can share:

• Transit-themed coloring and activity books.

• “Sly Fox & Birdie” freight-rail coloring and activity books.

• The “Trains and Tracks” program for emerging readers (grades K–2), with a facilitation guide, presentation, and optional printed book.

• Giveaways such as reflective drawstring bags with crayons, bookmarks, rulers, pencils, pens, and engineer caps that reinforce rail-safety messages.

These materials can be co-branded with the City of Houston logo where appropriate or handed out as Operation Lifesaver resources.

Yes. Operation Lifesaver offers several classroom-ready lesson plans and activities that support Rail Safe Houston, including:

• “All Aboard” lesson plan and worksheet.

• “Math Pioneers” rail-safety lesson plan.

• “Seeing Is Believing” lesson plan and worksheet.

• “Train Safety Savvy”  a one-act play / game-show style lesson that turns rail-safety learning into a performance.

These resources can be used by teachers, youth leaders, after-school programs, and community groups. Many are available as downloadable PDFs and presentations.

Rail Safe Houston works with schools and school networks to:

• Provide Operation Lifesaver and City-branded materials that fit different grade levels.

• Offer flyers, videos, and classroom resources that campuses can use without needing to create materials from scratch.

• Coordinate messaging with school districts, school police, counselors, and parent organizations.

This school-focused work fits within a broader citywide effort to keep everyone safe around rail lines.

Neighborhood associations, PTAs, schools, faith groups, and businesses can:

• Share rail-safety information from this page in newsletters, social media, and meetings.

• Request digital materials (flyers, graphics, or video links) and Operation Lifesaver resources for events.

• Incorporate rail-safety messages into community safety days, student assemblies, or staff briefings.

Use the contact information on this page if your group would like materials or would like to coordinate outreach.

Rail Safe Houston focuses on safety helping people make better decisions around tracks and crossings. Blocked crossings and train operations involve multiple agencies and rail companies and may not be fully controlled by Houston Public Works. However, reports of safety concerns are shared with the appropriate partners so issues can be investigated where possible.

• Call 911 right away for any emergency.

• For non-emergency concerns, call 311 or use the Houston 311 app, and provide the nearest address or street intersection and, if available, the crossing identification number from the blue and white sign at the crossing.