Rail Trespassing and Suicide- United States What We Know and What We Don’t Kurt Topel Presentation at ILCAD 2017 – Montreal

Overview Importance Characteristics of Rail Trespassing Characteristics of Rail Suicide Gaps in Literature

Definitions Trespasser Suicides Persons who are on the part of RR property used in RR operation and whose presence is prohibited, forbidden, or unlawful” AND are NOT at Highway-Rail Crossings Suicides Persons (almost always trespassers) who have been deemed to have completed a suicide while on RR property as “determined by a coroner, public police officer, or other public authority”

U.S. Average Annual Railroad Fatalities 2012-2015

Annual Railroad Fatalities Since 1975

Intentions of Trespassers Station Trespassing Shortcuts Underestimation of Risks Recreation Photography Theft, Vandalism, and Graffiti Ignorance of Risks

Shortcuts

Photography

Rail Trespassing Fatalities Minimal research, except by FRA 4:1 Ratio Males : Females Median Age Middle 30’s More in Good Weather Risk Factors: Alcohol Distraction

Rail Trespasser vs Suicide Numbers June 2011 FRA Reporting Change “Fuzzy” Line Between U.S. Trespassers and Suicides Comparison to Europe Suicides counted and studied for longer Most Fatalities are T&S, but in different proportions Firearms and Ovenstone

Rail Suicide Very Little U.S. Research, except FRA “extracts” 3.5:1 Ratio Males : Females, = ratio for all Suicide Median Age Upper 30’s- < age 50’s all Suicide Usually on scheduled lines, higher traffic, with peak in afternoon & evening Risk Factors: Mental Illness/Alcohol/Drugs Availability of ROW to residence Lack of Access to Firearms

Gaps Empirical Countermeasure Effectiveness Economic Externalities Dearth of U.S. Research Apparent Obstacles to Addressing the Problem Detection and Response