Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ Family) — As the number of people killed by trains increases in cities across the country, the city of Flagstaff is taking the safety of its residents into its own hands.

Nearly 1,000 people died in railway-related accidents nationwide in 2023, an increase of 10% from the previous year.

The average freight train takes about a mile to come to a complete stop after the conductor applies the brakes.

This could create a dangerous and potentially deadly scenario at the Flagstaff railroad crossing, where about 100 trains pass through town each day.

The number of collisions between trains and cars or people peaked in 2020 and has remained high ever since, with six to eight collisions occurring each year, according to Flagstaff Police.

A total of 10 train-related fatalities have occurred in the Flagstaff area over the past two years.

Sergeant Jerry Rintala of Flagstaff PD said people should take the trains seriously.

“The trains are big and very heavy, so they move very fast,” Rintala said. “I am personally very afraid of them because I have seen firsthand the damage that can be done.”

Rintala said more than 70% of train fatalities in the past two years were suicides. Almost all of those incidents involved alcohol or drugs.

Victims include tourists and drunken university students, but one group is most often affected.

“Over the years, all of the above has been done,” Rintala said. “But in general, the majority of them are unsheltered residents of Flagstaff.”

Currently, the city, BNSF, railroad companies and the Federal Railroad Commission are involved.

In 2026, the city plans to begin construction of two pedestrian tunnels at busy railroad crossings downtown and add fencing and signage.

Police also plan to install cameras.

“That’s probably the key to letting us know there’s a problem there,” Rintala says. “They can let BNSF know someone is there and stop the train, or they can call the police there.”

Rintala said she hopes these projects will save lives.

“Railroads are a serious business and we hope that through education and all of these projects that are coming up over the next few years, we can reduce the safety aspect of trains,” he said.

Click/tap here See where new projects are located in downtown Flagstaff.

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