This research analyzed Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-reported trespassing events along the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) between Raleigh and Charlotte, NC using rate calculation, train crew surveys, and geospatial methods to identify communities with the highest risk of railroad right-of-way trespass. Since the FRA started geolocating trespass data in July 2011 through June 2016, this corridor had 65 reported trespasser strikes, or an average of one strike for every 677 trains. Based on an analysis of historic trespass strike data, associated environmental features, and survey data provided by train crews who travel along the portion of the NCRR under study, the communities with the highest trespass risk are Durham, Mebane, Elon/Burlington, and Greensboro. The rate of strikes from the 5 year study period indicates that these communities have the highest risk corridors. The close proximity of pedestrian generators to the railroad in these areas shows some correlation to the high number of strikes.
