Safety along the Hiawatha Line
Stay aware, stay safe
Light-rail transit is safe – as long as everyone obeys warning signs and complies with barriers.
It's not only unsafe but against the law to walk along light-rail tracks or to trespass on rail bridges or in tunnels.
Pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists must cross only at designated crossings. Tracks at these intersections are embedded in the ground, level with the street, for safer crossing.
Safety near rail stations
- Trains can come on any track, at any time, from either direction. Never assume you know when and where to expect a train.
- Never try to beat a train through a crossing – it takes the length of two football fields for a train to stop.
- Safety only takes a second – light-rail trains move faster than freight trains. If gate arms are going down, stop. The train will clear the intersection in a few seconds.
- Slow down and be alert near rail stations. Watch for pedestrians, trains, buses and cars.
Safety on the station platform
- While waiting for the train, always stand behind the yellow line on the platform.
- Stand back until the train stops. Be careful of trains leaving the station.
- Keep children together and away from the tracks until the train stops completely.
- Cross tracks only at the ends of the platform.
- Running on the platform is dangerous – especially near moving trains.
- Skateboarding, rollerblading and riding bikes on platforms is not permitted.
Safety on the train
- Wait for other passengers to exit the train before you board.
- Please surrender your seat to eldery customers or those with disabilities, if needed.
- Don't stick arms or legs in the doors to prevent them from closing; just relax and wait for the next train, it's just a few minutes away.
- While riding, please remain seated. If standing, hold onto the rails in case of sudden stops.
- Make sure children stay near you while riding.
- Keep children under control while riding. Running on the train can be dangerous.
- Keep suitcases and backpacks out of others’ way – each train has luggage racks.
- Secure bikes in racks.
Listen up.
Unlike freight trains, you might not hear a light-rail train approaching. Pay attention near the tracks.
- Listen for train horns and warning bells.
- The ends of a light-rail train are identical. Red taillights mean a train is moving away from you.
- Look both ways before crossing the tracks by car, bike or on foot.
Tracks are for trains
Tracks aren’t a place to explore. Stay away to stay safe.
- Never walk on tracks and stay away from track switches, which can move at any time.
- Stay away from high-voltage overhead wires that power the trains. Don’t touch them with kites, models – anything.
- Cross tracks only in designated areas.
