Union Pacific Railroad Billboard Campaign Reminds Drivers to Always Expect a Train

Union Pacific Press Release:

Chicago, Ill., May 28, 2013 – Union Pacific Railroad is launching a billboard campaign aimed at encouraging Chicago pedestrians to cross tracks at only approved railroad crossings.

At the center of the campaign are billboards featuring a graphic representing a crossing arm and the message "Always expect a train" and a graphic of a person about to cross the tracks with a train in the background and the message "Some shortcuts cut your life short".

An estimated 529,000 Chicago residents will view these messages each day during the next eight months. The messages are displayed on 11 billboards located in various locations on I-294 (the Tri-State), I-90 (the Kennedy), Mannheim Rd., Belmont Ave., Milwaukee Ave., W. Irving Park, Caldwell Ave., and Touhy Ave.

"These billboards will remind people of their surroundings and keep them safe around railroad tracks," said Wes Lujan, assistant vice president, Public Affairs for Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. "Trains are operating at all times on railroad tracks, and our No. 1 priority is the safety of our employees and communities."

The billboards will remind pedestrians "Some shortcuts cut your life short" and "Always expect a train." Union Pacific encourages drivers and pedestrians to follow all laws regarding grade crossings and railroad safety.

In addition to the billboard campaign, Union Pacific's UP CARES initiative promotes pedestrian and driver safety through a variety of outreach channels:

Grade crossing education and enforcement, during which motorists violating rail crossing signage and laws are educated about the dangers of such actions. Related "positive enforcement" initiatives reward drivers who operate safely at grade crossings.

• Safety trains, hosting local law enforcement, media and public officials and providing them the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab and see traffic violations from a locomotive engineer's point of view. This also allows Union Pacific to connect with community leaders and help them better understand the railroad's safety focus.
• Communication blitzes, which educate the public via community events, media outreach and paid advertising. Media outreach coincides with safety trains in UP communities.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2012, Union Pacific invested $18 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure, including a record $3.7 billion in 2012. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.