Public works and first responders on board as NC State’s new rail-focused safety training program leaves the station
(Raleigh, North Carolina) The recently-launched Rail Technical Assistance Program (RailTAP), NC State’s new rail-focused training initiative serving North Carolina and surrounding states, welcomed the first group of attendees to its inaugural class earlier today.
RailTAP’s “Working Safely Around Railroad Tracks” class, which is intended primarily for public works, utility workers, first responders, and others whose work brings them near railroad property and highway-rail grade crossings, gives participants an increased awareness of common hazards, near-track environments, and general safety principles that support safe decision-making and hazard recognition around railroad operations.
Dennis Miller, Street Maintenance Superintendent for the City of Fayetteville shared his thoughts: “RailTAP’s new ‘Working Safely Around Railroad Tracks’ class gave me a greater understanding of how the railroad industry works with municipalities for safer crossing and working around railroad crossings. Having information regarding how railroads respond to work requests, required safety guidelines, and knowing how to handle planning for crossing work and ditch maintenance is a great benefit going forward. I highly recommend this class to all road and street maintenance departments.”
“We are proud to partner with NC State and advance rail safety education,” said Carl Warren, President and CEO of the North Carolina Railroad Company. “Bringing together our industry experience for adept instruction paired with the university’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) training program specific to rail is a winning combination.”
This first class intentionally coincides with the 10th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver’s See Tracks? Think Train® Week (formerly Rail Safety Week). “Launching our first public class this week was a great opportunity to reinforce that rail safety is at the very core of RailTAP’s mission,” said Daniel Findley, Associate Director at NC State’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE). “The high demand we’re already seeing for RailTAP classes clearly demonstrates the need for quality rail safety education for non-railroad workers.”
RailTAP’s “Working Safely Around Railroad Tracks” is currently offered free of charge, and the next three classes in North Carolina are scheduled and open for registration: October 22 in Huntersville, November 17 in Durham, and December 10 in Wilmington. Additional classes across North Carolina and in neighboring states will be offered starting in 2027. On-location, agency-only trainings are also available upon request and have already become a popular option. Visit itre.ncsu.edu/railtap for more info or to register.
About RailTAP:
RailTAP is funded by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program. It is delivered through a public-private partnership between NC State University and the North Carolina Railroad Company to provide advanced safety training and resources. RailTAP is administered by NC State’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE) alongside two other Technical Assistance Programs: NC Local Technical Assistance Program (NC LTAP) and NC Airport Technical Assistance Program (NC AirTAP).
About the North Carolina Railroad Company:
The North Carolina Railroad Company is the one private railroad company that has been driving economic growth for North Carolina for more than 175 years. The company manages 317 miles of rail corridor, transforming its trusted expertise and unique assets into economic advantages. The company’s mission is to focus on our rail & safety expertise, assets and advantageous corridor to provide dynamic services and best-in-class solutions. Our vision is a railroad company promoting and facilitating opportunities leading to economic gains for North Carolina. For more information, visit ncrr.com.
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