WHAT IS DRSC

The DuPage Railroad Safety Council is made of railroad officials, government officials, engineers, educators and private citizens who have a deep concern for safety at railroad crossings. The Council was founded on April 30, 1994 as an outgrowth of a Railroad Safety Conference called by the Chairman of the DuPage County Board. Since that time, the Council has met regularly to examine ways to heighten awareness and improve safety conditions at railroad crossings and to work with civic and railroad leaders to stop preventable accidents along railroad right of ways.
The Mission of the DuPage Railroad Safety Council is to prevent deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railways.

To obtain our mission we have conducted the following types of events;

Hold OL presentations at many grade and high schools through DuPage County, including Girl and Boy Scout troops.
Created Railroad Safety video tapes for drivers education classes (over 4,000 copies distributed).
Conducted many "station blitzes" were we along with the Railroad would provide OL videos, posters and flyers discussing rail safety at train stations in the area..
Our group has helped influence the 1996 law to fine $500 for those vehicles or pedestrians who cross the tracks with warning signals activated. We have also been successful in obtaining governmental funding and approval to conduct a trial of video enforcement at three locations in DuPage county as a trial of both technology and effectiveness.
We have participated in local and national news broadcasts, cable documentaries and many print articles regarding rail safety and to inform the Chicago area of our Council.
Future plans include more community events to raise rail safety awareness with the local community leaders. and to work with the railroads and government officials to identify new technologies and policies that will make our railways safer.

The results of our previous efforts have had positive feedback from the community, the rail industry and the Governing bodies of the FRA. We believe our efforts in education and enforcement have lowered the rail/highway incident rate for the State of Illinois.

The DuPage Rail Safety Council incorporated in February of 1996

Chairman: Dr. Lanny Wilson