Cincinnati, Ohio
Paul Grether
Director of Rail Services
Cincinnati Metro
Although the Cincinnati Streetcar won’t operate until September 2016, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (Cincinnati Metro) is already educating the community about streetcar safety.
Transdev Services Inc., which was recently awarded the contract to maintain and operate the Cincinnati Streetcar for SORTA, is preparing intensive operational and community safety training jointly with SORTA and city of Cincinnati staff and contractors. This is a part of the SORTA Cincinnati Streetcar Safety and Security Management Plan, which was developed as part of SORTA safety and security certification efforts as required under project safety requirements. SORTA has established a series of committees comprised of SORTA, City of Cincinnati and contractor staffs to manage the safe, secure and successful start of streetcar service. These include the Rail Activation Committee, the Safety and Security Review Committee and the Fire Life Safety and Security Committee composed of local police, fire, utilities and public safety representatives responsible for training first responders on how to handle incidents on or near the streetcar. These committees also manage the ongoing certification requirements of the Ohio Department of Transportation (State Safety Oversight) and the Federal Transit Administration.
Feedback from these committees led to the creation of the “Be Streetcar Safe” campaign designed to provide customized safety messaging for cyclists, Metro bus operators, motorists, people with disabilities, downtown visitors, and children.
Look up… Look out: To educate the public on the danger of getting too close to the high-voltage overhead wires that power the streetcar, SORTA and the City of Cincinnati have been educating those in the area to stay at least 10 feet from the contact wire, with a campaign called “Look up… look out.” Traditional and social media has been used, in addition to holding a media briefing and contacting utility companies, businesses and community councils in the area. Fliers were also distributed during community events throughout the summer.
Bus operators: With Cincinnati introducing modern rail transit, SORTA is taking steps to ensure that its bus operators know how to share the road with the streetcar. Safety tips are included in employee newsletters, streetcar safety training is being added to bus operator training, and a “Share the Road With the Streetcar” video is in production to highlight safety tips for operating along the streetcar route.
Cyclists: SORTA partnered with bike advocacy group Queen City Bike to provide free streetcar bike safety classes to the public. The class teaches cyclists how to cross the tracks at a correct angle to ensure the safe interaction between bicycle tires and streetcar rails. SORTA also partnered with the local bike share system to add streetcar safety decals on their entire bike fleet.
People with disabilities: SORTA shared streetcar safety tips for people with disabilities during ADA anniversary celebrations this summer. Cincinnati’s streetcars will be 100% low floor and feature fully level boarding. Education has started for riders using wheelchairs and mobility devices about the differences between boarding, travelling and alighting from the modern streetcar versus buses.
Visitors to downtown: As an innovative way to get the word out to those who visit downtown, SORTA partnered with a local distributor that sponsored the production of thousands of reusable drink coasters with streetcar safety tips. These will be distributed free to restaurants and bars along the streetcar route beginning this fall.
Children: A child-friendly version of the safety program called “Bee Streetcar Safe” features a bee mascot to educate children about streetcar safety. The kids’ program will kick-off with a Touch the Streetcar event when the first car arrives later this year.
Safety is the primary objective for the operations of the Cincinnati Streetcar and SORTA will continue to frequently find opportunities to share the message of safety with the public.
