August 16, 2022
C&S/IT

R.J. Corman Delivers to ‘Safety City’

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor

Part of the R.J. Corman team that helped install the new highway/rail grade crossing signals for Safety City, a safety program for second-graders run by the Lexington, Ky., Police Department. From left to right: R.J. Corman Signaling AVP of Engineering Signaling Rocky Metz; R.J. Corman Signaling General Manager Rich Barsalona; R.J. Corman Signaling Senior Systems Engineer Matthew Hamlin; R.J. Corman Railroad Services Signal Specialist Jared Lundy; R.J. Corman Railroad Services Signal Specialist Travis Lundy; R.J. Corman Railroad Services AVP of Signal Construction Larry Yeager; and R.J. Corman Railroad Services Signal Construction Ryan Hale. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of R.J. Corman)

R.J. Corman Signaling has donated two new highway-rail grade crossing signals to Safety City, the Lexington (Ky.) Police Department’s program to educate second-graders on traffic, pedestrian, bicycle, seatbelt and firearm safety.

Launched in 1990, Safety City features a child-sized roadway with traffic signals, including crossing signals, which were due for replacement, Nicholasville, Ky.-based R.J. Corman Signaling reported on Aug. 15. Miniature buildings—from police and fire stations to a restaurant—make up the “city” that students drive through using specially designed electric cars, while receiving instructions and safety recommendations from Lexington Police Department officers.

***Safety City’s new railroad crossing signals. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of R.J. Corman)***

R.J. Corman Signaling provided upgraded flashing light signals, crossing bells, signs and controls, and recently installed them with assistance from R.J. Corman Railroad Services. The equipment donation, plus installation work, totaled nearly $10,000.

***A sample of the electric cars that second-graders drive in Safety City. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of R.J. Corman)***

“This donation is a huge enhancement for Safety City,” Officer Anthany Beatty Jr. said. “R.J. Corman has been more than overly generous for the time and equipment donated. We serve second-graders throughout the Lexington community and outside of Fayette County, and this upgraded crossing will help us teach about pedestrian safety and driver safety. This gift will impact a great number of kids.”

Pictured from left to right: Matthew Hamlin Senior Systems Engineer, R. J. Corman Signaling; Rich Barsalona, General Manager, R.J. Corman Signaling; Rocky Metz, AVP of Engineering, R. J. Corman Signaling; Officer Anthany Beatty Jr. and Officer Jerome Bean of the Lexington Police Department; and Mark Boyle, Vice President of R.J. Corman Railroad Services. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of R.J. Corman.)

“We are glad we could partner with the Lexington Police Department and Safety City,” R. J. Corman Signaling General Manager Rich Barsalona said. “It is in R.J. Corman’s DNA to help the communities we serve. Safety City’s emphasis on safety aligns perfectly with one of our company’s pillars: ‘Safety is our number one priority.’ Railroad crossings and tracks are critical elements of the urban landscape, and railroad crossing safety education is essential. We are glad we can contribute to this great program and the education of tomorrow’s drivers.”

In related developments, the R.J. Corman Memphis Line—the second short line acquired by the company’s late founder, Rick Corman—was Railway Age’s 2021 Short Line of the Year. Also, in February 2022, R.J. Corman Railroad Company launched its 18th short line, the Knoxville and Cumberland Gap Railroad, LLC.