BNSF Railway recognizes six states for excellence in grade crossing safety

Date
Aug 3, 2026

FORT WORTH, TEXAS, Aug. 3, 2026 – BNSF Railway (BNSF) announced today the recipients of its 2026 “Tracking to Zero” award, honoring six state departments of transportation (DOTs) in their shared commitment to improving grade crossing safety.
 
This year, the Class I railroad recognizes Montana and Wyoming for the third straight year, as well as Alabama, Iowa, Missouri, and New Mexico (second-time honoree), for averaging less than one grade crossing incident per one million BNSF train miles traveled in their respective states. Data reported in 2025 to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) confirms the findings.

“The success of Tracking to Zero shows that lasting safety improvements happen when partners unite around one common purpose,” said BNSF Assistant Director of Public Projects Rich Scott. “The achievements of these six states set an important benchmark, and BNSF is committed to building on that progress by engaging even more communities in the years ahead.”

About the award

The award, which launched in 2024, is a first-of-its-kind initiative to reduce grade crossing incidents across BNSF’s network spanning 28 states and three Canadian provinces. The number of states meeting the award criteria has increased each year since inception.

What was done 

This year’s honorees demonstrate significant growth in BNSF’s shared commitment and dedication to safer communities in which it operates. (In-person award ceremonies are forthcoming with/at each state DOT headquarters.) 

Examples of actions taken by the winning state DOTs to improve railroad crossing safety include, but are not limited to:

  • Eliminating at-grade crossings/Installing grade-crossing separations

  • Enhancing signal systems and signage at existing crossings

  • Researching and piloting new crossing safety technologies

  • Utilizing both state and federal funding to maximize railroad crossing safety improvements

  • Prioritizing community education and utilizing land use planning and awareness campaigns

  • Implementing various measures to reduce railroad trespassing

Progress made network wide

  • Across BNSF’s 32,500-mile network, the incident frequency ratio at grade crossings dropped 4.5% between 2024 and 2025 and is the lowest since COVID area levels in 2021.

  • Last year, BNSF eliminated its 7,000th at-grade crossing since beginning its crossing closure safety initiative in 2000. The states recognized this year have been a valued partner in eliminating redundant and underutilized at-grade crossings. 

Leading with safety at BNSF

Grade crossing safety is an integral part of BNSF’s operations and culture. It involves daily cooperative efforts between the railroad and the more than 5,000 communities we serve. BNSF’s rate of grade crossing collisions has declined by 64 percent per million miles traveled since 1995.
 
As an industry safety leader, BNSF relies on the communities it serves, as safety gains are better achieved by improving how drivers and pedestrians interact around the railroad tracks.
 
BNSF’s ultimate safety vision includes zero accidents and injuries across our railroad. In our efforts to reach less than one incident per million miles traveled on our system by the year 2030, we will continue to recognize DOT teams leading the way in our efforts.

For more detailed information on grade crossing safety efforts taken in each of the awarded states, email Media@bnsf.com.

Contact:
Kendall Kirkham Sloan
Director, External Communications
Media@BNSF.com