Around The Railroad

Thorns Protect Pedestrians

January 22, 2008 | 12:20 p.m. CST

The St. Louis Safety Team found a thorny solution to prevent pedestrians from risky trespassing near an at-grade crossing on the Jefferson City Subdivision.

Where the double main line crosses Sutton Avenue in Maple Grove, Mo., businesses are located on the south side of the tracks and apartment complexes on the north. That tempts pedestrians to cross the double main to reach the businesses and return to their homes, said Rod Doerr, Dupo director-terminal operations. Additionally, Amtrak trains travel these lines at speeds up to 70 mph, and a curve in the track decreases the distance locomotive engineers are able to see ahead.

To reduce pedestrian trespassing, the safety team planted 150 yards of thorn bushes standing nearly 3 feet tall.

Doerr says the thorn bushes are a creative way to deter potential trespassers. "I think the bushes have helped so far," he said. "They'll grow to be approximately 6 feet tall, and the more they grow, the better results we'll see."

The safety team chose bushes for a few reasons, Doerr said. For esthetic or zoning regulations, city officials could have rejected constructing a fence.

 "We've heard from the City of Maple Grove, and they're pleased with a hedge as opposed to a fence," Doerr said. "Neighboring police departments thanked us for our efforts to reduce trespassing and improve public safety."