Teens in the Driver Seat

A peer-to-peer safe driving program for your school.

Text iDrive to 1-888-825-1346 for TDS and safety text messages.

Track-A-Thon Rules

  • Entries must be postmarked or email date-stamped no later than March 31, 2023, to be eligible for the Track-A-Thon.
  • Entry is open to high school AND junior high students in the United States.
  • Entries must address the issue of safety around railroad crossings. This can be for urban or rural towns. Entries must address these four questions:
    • What are the safety issues faced at rail grade crossings or train tracks?
    • Why is rail crossing safety important to me or my community?
    • Come up with a rail-grade crossing safety innovation that could help drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
    • How is your innovation going to save lives?
  • Entries that display dangerous or illegal activities will be disqualified, i.e. a video of teens walking on train tracks.
  • Entries submitted with evidence of illegal use of copyrighted material will not be considered for judging. The use of company logos and other product names (for cars, beverages, etc.) is also prohibited.
  • Each student may only submit one entry – either individually or as part of a team. Complete the online entry form when submitting the video, slideshow or essay.
  • Each student must submit a Release Form. If you are part of a group/class submission, each student must complete a Release Form. Complete, signed release forms must accompany entries.
  • All person(s) whose photo appears in a video or slideshow entry must complete a video/photo release form. Complete, signed video/photo release forms must accompany entry.
  • Software or online programs may be used to assemble/edit your entry, however, at least 80% of your entry must be generated by your own creativity and concept and words. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
  • Judging will be based upon originality, professionalism, and by how well you follow the messages that are central to Teens in the Driver Seat® and Union Pacific.
  • Entry must follow specs listed below.
  • Awards will be given, payable to the school the student attends:
    • High School First Place – $500
    • High School Second Place – $250
    • High School Third Place – $100
    • Junior High School First Place – $500
    • Junior High School Second Place – $250
    • Junior High School Third Place – $100
  • All entries become property of the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) and all or part of your entry can be used to advance and support the Teens in the Driver Seat Program or the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
  • The Texas A&M Transportation Institute is not responsible for lost, damaged, misdirected, or delayed entries.
  • The Texas A&M Transportation Institute reserves the right to withdraw, terminate, suspend, cancel or modify all or part of the contest at any time without notice.
  • Teens in the Driver Seat® reserves the right to change any of these rules and/or prizes.
  • All decisions are final.
  • Already submitted an entry for the September 2022 Track-a-thon? You’re still eligible to submit a NEW entry for this month’s contest.

VIDEO SPECS

  • Develop a video message that is 1-5 minutes long. Sponsor logos will be added by TTI to winning videos before final release. Do not add logos to your entry.
  • Entries must address the issue of safety around railroad crossings. Entries must address these four questions:
    1. What are the safety issues faced at rail grade crossings or train tracks?
    2. Why is rail crossing safety important to me or my community?
    3. Come up with a rail grade crossing safety innovation that could help drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
    4. How is your innovation going to save lives?
  • The video should be designed to be aired on YouTube., Instagram, or TikTok.
  • Do not place scrolls, credits, or additional information within the final video.
  • Do not include any copyrighted material (such as copyrighted music, video clips, or copyrighted logos and brands).
  • Cite your sources for any data references. “According to the Federal Railroad Administration…”
  • High-quality formats are preferred, .avi, .mov, .mp4, HEVC, MPEG-4, and similar formats are all accepted.
  • Additional specs, 852 x 480, 1280 x 720, 1920 x 1080, 192kpbs MPEG audio, 29fps and 1640kbps video is ideal.
  • Video entries should be uploaded via Google Drive. The filename of your entry should match names on the entry form; include “First Name, Last Name, and School Name.” Upload entries here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xu_omzvfp8AglNzc7QqIt1EDbGa2ScAE?usp=sharing
  • Please review the final entry for video and sound quality before entry.
  • Winners in the video category must provide original video source files. These files may be sent with entry.

SLIDESHOW SPECS

  • Develop a slideshow that is between 5-20 slides long. Sponsor logos will be added by TTI to winning slideshow before final release. Do not add logos to your entry.
  • Entries must address the issue of safety around railroad crossings. Entries must address these three questions:
    1. What are the safety issues faced at rail grade crossings or train tracks?
    2. Why is rail crossing safety important to me or my community?
    3. Come up with a rail grade crossing safety innovation that could help drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
    4. How is your innovation going to save lives?
  • The slideshow should be designed to be published on our website.
  • Do not place scrolls, credits, or additional information within the final video.
  • Do not include any copyrighted material (such as copyrighted music, video clips, or copyrighted logos and brands).
  • Cite your sources for any data references.
  • High-quality formats are preferred: Google Slides, PowerPoint, Canva, or Prezi.
  • Additional specs, 1280 x 720 or a 16:9 ratio is ideal.
  • Slideshow entries should be attached to the Entry Form OR uploaded via Google Drive (file size depending). The title of your entry should match names on the entry form; include “First Name, Last Name and School Name”: Upload entries here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xu_omzvfp8AglNzc7QqIt1EDbGa2ScAE?usp=sharing
  • Please review the final entry for quality.

ESSAY SPECS

  • Your essay should help readers envision your Track-A-Thon idea and be 3-5 pages long, double spaced, 12 pt font with 1-inch margins on 8.5” x 11” document.
  • Entries must address the issue of safety around railroad crossings. Entries must address these three questions:
    1. What are the safety issues faced at rail grade crossings or train tracks?
    2. Why is rail crossing safety important to me or my community?
    3. Come up with a rail grade crossing safety innovation that could help drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
    4. How is your innovation going to save lives?
  • Include proper headings and/or subheadings.
  • Reference any data sources by including a reference sheet or citation page. We will also accept footnotes.
  • Submission should follow MLA or APA writing format and citations.
  • Check for grammar and give it a thorough read through before submitting.
  • Essay entries should be attached to Entry From. The title of your entry should match names on the entry form; include “First Name, Last Name, and School Name.”
  • PDF and Word document submissions will be accepted.

Tips and Information!

  • Always think about your end audience. We need your voice to spread the message about safe driving, walking, or biking around rail road tracks.
  • Prize money is payable to entrant’s school, not the individual(s).
  • Please review the specifications above before submitting entry.
  • Submit entries in highest quality possible. Begin with high quality to end with high quality.
  • Gruesome or gory entries do not fare well in judging and are not encouraged. Think positive safety messaging and what’s going to excite the judges about your innovative idea.
  • For more information on copyright, go to http://www.copyright.com/learn/about-copyright/
  • Send all questions to Gabriella Kolodzy at [email protected]. Type CONTEST in the subject line. Do not use this email for entry submission. Please allow 3 days for reply.

How to Submit!

  • Submissions must have an Entry Form and Release Form from individual or each group member.
  • You must title your file First Name, Last Name, School Name.
  • Entries under 64MB can be uploaded via the entry form.
  • Entries above 64MB can be uploaded through Dropbox.
  • Multiple entries must be submitted separately (one Entry Form per submission) with the correct title on each submission.