Trespassers are “risking their life” by taking shortcuts on the railway.
Network Rail said this year alone three people have narrowly missed being hit by trains in the county.
Last year student Nicholas Howells, 20, tragically died after falling on to a live rail at Falmer station as he took a shortcut home from an end of term party on the University of Sussex campus.
British Transport Police (BTP) said people who think they can save time by crossing live rails are taking their lives into their hands.
Network Rail said in 2011 there were 25 narrow misses on tracks in and out of Sussex.
BTP has released CCTV images of a man suspected of crossing the rail line close to Billingshurst station.
A man was seen running along the station platform before crossing the tracks on February 14 at about 1pm.
PC Tracey Searle, investigating officer based at Brighton station, said: “People who nip across the track to take a shortcut and get to the other side rather than use the correct means of crossing the railway are risking their lives.
“Trespass may not sound like a serious offence but, in the unforgiving environment of the railway, it can be a major safety hazard.
“Those who continue to flout the law could find themselves facing police action.
“Make no mistake; if you are caught we will seek the strongest possible penalties.”
She said trespassers not only risk being hit by a train but also touching the live third rail, which powers trains across Sussex.
It carries 750 volts of electricity and is switched on 24 hours a day.
Inspector Gary Ancell said youngsters in Sussex have been known to play chicken on the tracks as well as crossing over between platforms as a shortcut.
He said: “There are obviously serious dangers to people trespassing because of the live rail which can kill and obviously from moving trains. Both of these are potential killers.”
Network Rail has launched a national campaign with world 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene.
The company said 88% of accidental trespass deaths in the last ten years were men, with a third aged between 16 and 25.
Mark Ruddy, route managing director for Sussex, said: “We know that some people think that taking a shortcut isn’t a risk and that they can get out of the way of any train.
“But the fatality figures show they are wrong. Today’s trains are faster, quieter and there are more of them than ever before.
“In Brighton and across Hampshire, the railway uses a live, high voltage third rail to power the trains which, when combined with the usual trip hazards, makes the railway a dangerous place.”
Anyone with information about trespassers should contact BTP on 0800 405040.
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