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Passenger Safety

Thousands of riders rely on the Virginia Railway Express to get them safely to their destination. VRE takes this responsibility very seriously.

VRE continually strives to reinforce our emergency preparedness procedures – procedures that will help us manage safety-related incidents as effectively as possible. 
 

In the event of an on-board emergency, always remember the three rules: 
 

STOP

In most circumstances, leaving the train is the most dangerous thing you can do. The tracks may be active with other trains in motion around you. If you can’t stay in a car, walk calmly to another car that is unaffected by the emergency. Only exit the train when you are in immediate life-threatening danger and have no other options
 

LOOK

Look for a member of the train crew and report any emergency immediately or use the emergency intercom system. The sooner the crew knows about an emergency, the sooner they can act to control it. Don’t activate the train’s emergency brake. Once the emergency brake is pulled, the crew must reset the brakes before the train can move, again, reducing their options for dealing with an emergency. Use the emergency brake only when the forward motion of the train presents an imminent danger to life and limb. 
 

LISTEN

Stay calm and remain seated. Listen to instructions from the train crew or from rescue, fire, or police personnel. The crew has been trained in emergency management. Crew members will help you exit the train swiftly and safely if an evacuation is necessary. Usually moving to another car on the same train is all that’s needed to ensure your safety.

 

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Safety Resources

 

<Insert existing picture of man using passenger intercom system>

 

VRE rail equipment is designed with your comfort and safety in mind. When boarding any VRE rail car please familiarize yourself with the safety information and emergency procedures displayed on board. And remember that our train crews are specially trained to help you stay safe in an emergency.

Train safety features include:

  • First Aid Kits (Stairwell)
  • Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) (See a crewmember)
  • Passenger Intercom Units (By the stairs and inside bathrooms)
  • Fire Extinguishers (Stairwell)
  • Handrails Along Staircases
  • Seatback Handles
  • Step Boxes to Assist with Boarding/Alighting
  • Wheelchair Lifts
  • Slip-resistant Flooring
  • Glow-in-the-dark Emergency Exit Paths
  • Emergency Exit Doors and Windows
  • Emergency Tool Kits (Stairwell)
  • Emergency Brakes (By vestibule doors. Only activate an emergency brake when there is a life-threatening emergency that requires stopping the train immediately)

Communicate with a crew member in the event of an emergency or call 911.

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The following information will help you to learn more about VRE safety and what you can do to make sure that you and your fellow passengers stay safe when riding the Virginia Railway Express.

 

<Insert How to Travel Safely with VRE video originally on the main safety page>

Safety at Stations and On Board

  • Stay as far back from the edge of the platform as possible when trains are passing through.
  • Always stand behind the yellow tactile strips (bumpy tile) on the edge of the station platforms.
  • If you drop something on the track, do not try to retrieve the item yourself. Notify your train conductor. They will assist you.
  • Never try to get on or off a moving train.
  • Use handrails when boarding and seat back handles when walking through trains.
  • Never leave children unattended and always hold their hand when boarding or exiting the train.
  • Do not block railcar doors from closing.
  • Do not lean on rail car doors.
  • Do not ride between railcars or on stairs while the train is moving.
  • Report suspicious behavior or abandoned packages to train crew members.
  • Take time to familiarize yourself with its safety information and emergency features on the train

Safety at Parking Lots and Garages

 

<Insert Woodbridge Station Pic >

 

  • Park in designated areas only.
  • Have your car keys in your hand when approaching your car.
  • ALWAYS lock your car.
  • Do not leave valuables in plain sight, inside your car.
  • Report any criminal activity to the local police immediately.

Railroad Safety

 

<Insert ENS sign Pic >

 

  • Do not walk on the railroad tracks– That’s Trespassing. Virginia Law requires a $250 fine for anyone caught walking on railroad tracks. REMEMBER TRACKS ARE FOR TRAINS NOT FOR PEOPLE.
  • Only cross tracks at designated pedestrian and at highway at-grade rail crossings.
  • Never go under or around crossing gates in the lowered position. Even when a train is stopped or clearing the crossing there could be train movement on another track!
  • If there is an emergency at a railroad crossing, get to a place of safety. Then look for the blue Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign to report the problem to the railroad. These signs provide the direct phone number to the dispatch center. Call 911.

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Train Evacuations

Train evacuations are extremely rare. In most cases, staying on the train is the safest option. Only exit the train if you are in immediate life-threatening danger and have no other options

In the unlikely event that your railcar is evacuated, please listen to the train crew for specific directions:

Option 1

If possible, move to the next adjoining railcar. This is the safest option.

Option 2

Exit the train through the center vestibule where you boarded the train. If the side door will not open, turn the red valve behind the panel adjacent to the door to manually open the door.

 

<Insert picture of emergency side door release>

 

Option 3

If you are unable to exit through a door, exit the train through one of the emergency windows. Look for the windows marked with “Emergency Exit.” Pull the red handles and follow the instructions on the decals adjacent to the windows.

 

<Insert existing picture of emergency window>

 

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<Insert existing responder picture>

 

Fire

  • Move to an unaffected car.
  • Follow instructions of crew members or emergency personnel
  • Remain inside - trains might be in motion on the other tracks. Only exit the train if you are in immediate life-threatening danger and have no other options
  • Locate the fire extinguishers & emergency tools in each passenger car stairwell
  • Do not try to extinguish a fire any larger than the size of a wastebasket

Medical

  • If a passenger is in distress, notify a crewmember immediately.
  • Crews can assist with first aid and contact local rescue personnel
  • If you are medically qualified and able to assist, identify yourself to the crew.

Police

  • Notify the crew of any unlawful or suspicious activity on board your train.
  • In some cases, VRE has undercover law enforcement available to crewmembers
  • Train crews can contact the local police en route.

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Security at VRE

On an average weekday there are about 7,000 passenger trips on VRE. This means 7,000 pairs of eyes. Contact a VRE crewmember if you observe:

  • Unattended packages
  • Suspicious behavior
  • People in bulky, seasonally inappropriate clothing
  • Exposed wiring, chemical smells, or other irregularities on luggage
  • Anyone tampering with surveillance cameras or entering unauthorized areas
  • Trust your INSTINCTS – If SOMETHING DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT – Alert a crewmember!
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