Rail authorities in Sydney and NSW say they are dealing with growing reports of rail safety incidents triggered, possibly, by the distractions of the modern age.

To mark Rail Safety Week, Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink have started a new campaign to warn travellers of the risk of straying too close to the tracks.

"We are seeing more reported injuries or near hits," said the chief executive of Sydney Trains, Howard Collins.

"You've only got to walk down Pitt Street and someone coming towards you has got a mobile phone - with their head buried in a smart phone - and you've got to avoid them as they are heading straight towards you," said Mr Collins.

"Just be aware, when you're on the platform area, when you're stepping on and off trains, switch out of that automated world of Facebook or whatever it is and just have your senses around you."

Rail safety ads released this week feature Jonathan Beninca, who lost an arm and a leg after stepping onto the tracks as a 19-year-old.

Mr Beninca, who has since become a campaigner for rail safety, said young people increasingly needed to be aware they should not try and retrieve items from the rail corridor.

"A limb can't be replaced - your mobile phone can be replaced, your iPad can be replaced," said Mr Beninca. "If [you] drop something of importance, go and see the staff."

As well as the rail safety ads, Sydney Trains and NSW TrainLink also released CCTV footage showing the close-calls encountered by passengers who have run on the tracks recently.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said: "Not only is it dangerous, but trespassing on the tracks means big fines of up to $5000."

There were 18 injuries and 24 deaths on the state's rail system last year.

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