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7/8/2025
BNSF Railway Co. yesterday announced the recipients of its 2025 “Tracking to Zero” award, honoring five state departments of transportation in their shared commitment to improving grade crossing safety.
BNSF recognized the DOTs in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming for the second consecutive year, as well as those in Wisconsin and Illinois, for averaging less than one grade crossing incident per 1 million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective states. Data reported in 2024 to the Federal Railroad Administration confirms the findings, BNSF officials said in a press release.
Launched last year, the award is part of BNSF efforts to reduce crossing incidents across its 32,500-mile network. This year’s honorees demonstrated significant growth in BNSF’s shared commitment and dedication to safer communities in which it operates, company officials said.
“The momentum behind our ‘Tracking to Zero’ initiative is a testament to the power of partnership,” said Rich Scott, BNSF assistant director of public projects. “We’re not only celebrating the accomplishments of these five states—we’re also strengthening our commitment to help more partners join them next year.”
Examples of actions taken by the award-winning DOTs to improve crossing safety included:
• eliminating grade crossings and/or installing grade-crossing separations;• enhancing signal systems and signage at existing crossings; • researching and piloting new crossing safety technologies; • using state and federal funding to maximize crossing safety improvements;• prioritizing community education and using land use planning and awareness campaigns; and • implementing various measures to reduce trespassing on railroad property, including at crossings.
Grade crossing safety initiative involves daily cooperative efforts between the railroad and the more than 5,000 communities in 28 states and three Canadian provinces that it serves. BNSF’s rate of crossing collisions has declined by more than 62% per million miles traveled since 1995, company officials said.