The determinants of train fatalities: keeping the model on track

This paper addresses the determinants of three types of railroad related fatalities: trespasser fatalities, those at grade crossings, and those involving passengers and employees. Of particular interest are the effects of railroad deregulation (the Staggers Act) on railroad related fatalities. Models are developed using specification error analysis and seemingly unrelated regression. Deregulation of the railroads is shown not to have contributed to fatalities while alcohol consumption is found to be a significant contributor to trespasser as well as passenger and employee fatalities. Expenditures on safety are also found to reduce railroad related fatalities.