In early November 2025, Fayetteville and Springdale teamed up with the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad to study safety at eight railroad crossings in Northwest Arkansas. The project connects to a broader effort to improve mass transit in Northwest Arkansas, one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas.
The project asks for community feedback on eight railroad crossings located throughout Northwest Arkansas. Community members can provide feedback through December 11. Local leaders plan to use the information they gather to plan for safety improvements at the named intersections.
Dangerous Rail Crossings in Northwest Arkansas
The eight intersections in focus in the study include rail crossings at:
- Apple Blossom Avenue
- Dickson Street
- Frisco Avenue
- Jocelyn Lane
- Randall Wobbe Drive
- Shady Grove Road
- Sunset Avenue
- University Avenue
Nationwide, 2,261 collisions occurred at railroad crossings in 2024, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). These crashes claimed 262 lives and caused 763 injuries.
In 2024, Arkansas ranked fourteenth among US states for railroad crossing collisions. That year, fifty crashes occurred in Arkansas, causing six deaths and 18 injuries. Texas led the nation with 283 collisions, claiming 20 deaths and causing 81 injuries. Eighty-three percent of all railroad crossing crashes occurred in just half of US states, including Arkansas.
Several factors make rail crossings dangerous, especially for those in cars, on bicycles or motorcycles, or on foot.
The size and speed of trains. Trains are massive compared to cars and people, and they can travel at high speeds, generating enormous momentum. A freight train may require over one mile to come to a complete stop. When a train hits a vehicle or person, the results can be catastrophic.
Difficulty judging distance and speed. Trains can appear to be further away and moving more slowly than they actually are. A driver, bicyclist, or pedestrian may think they can clear an intersection before the train arrives, only to find too late that they were wrong.
Multiple tracks make crossings more dangerous. An intersection with multiple tracks can be especially risky, as one train may block the view of another train approaching.
Backed-up traffic can cause issues. A vehicle that crosses the tracks but doesn’t clear them can be hit in the rear end by an oncoming train. Traffic backups can exacerbate this situation.
Human error. Drivers who speed, fail to yield at a railroad crossing, rear-end another vehicle onto the tracks, ignore railroad crossing signals, are distracted while driving, block lanes or sidewalks, or assume they know the train schedule and won’t see a train can all cause a serious accident or other injury at a railroad crossing.
How to Stay Safe at Railroad Crossings
The Arkansas State Police recently announced a partnership with agencies throughout the US and Canada via Amtrak’s “Operation Lifesaver” to participate in “Operation Clear Track.” Operation Clear Track is North America’s largest rail safety initiative to date. The partnership seeks to improve railway safety in the United States and Canada.
Tips from Operation Clear Track on improving safety at railroad crossings include:
- Always obey crossing signals, and never try to beat a train.
- Assume a train could come down any tracks, at any crossing, at any time. Train schedules aren’t always predictable.
- Follow stop and yield signs. Always check for yourself that a train isn’t coming before you cross.
- Make sure there’s enough room for your vehicle to completely clear the tracks once you cross.
Arkansas law requires drivers to stop at railroad crossings when railroad signs or signals warn of an oncoming train, a crossing gate is lowered, a human flagger warns vehicles to stop, or a train is coming from at least 1,500 feet away. The law also prohibits drivers from driving “through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier” while it is closed or while it is opening or closing.
No matter how safe you try to be, accidents and injuries can still occur. The negligence of other drivers, railroad companies, and other parties can result in a preventable injury. If this happens, speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer.
Contact Jason M. Hatfield If You’re Injured in a Railroad-Related Accident
Any interested community members can weigh in on the eight railroad crossings listed in the study through December 11th. If you’ve already been injured at a railroad crossing, however, it’s important to seek qualified legal assistance. An experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you need and hold any negligent parties accountable. To learn more, talk to the team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield today.
