🚂 Railroad Grade Crossing: Essential Rules & Safety Tips

When you’re on the road near railroad tracks, it’s crucial to know the rules to stay safe. Here’s what you need to remember about railroad crossings for the exam:

🚦 Flashing Red Lights at Railroad Crossings

What to Do:

• Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail when flashing red lights are on.

Example: You stop your car when the lights start flashing and wait until the train passes. 🚉

🚧 Stalled Vehicle on the Tracks

What to Do:

• Exit the vehicle immediately and move away at an angle from the tracks if you get stuck.

Example: Your car stalls on the tracks. You quickly exit and move to safety as the train approaches. 🚨

🚶‍♂️ Uncontrolled Railroad Crossings (No Signals)

What to Do:

• Slow down and look both ways before crossing if there are no signals or gates.

Example: You approach a railroad crossing with no gates. You stop, look for a train, and cross safely if clear. 👀

🛑 Crossbuck Sign

Purpose:

• Indicates the location of the railroad crossing.

Example: You see a crossbuck sign and stop to check for trains before crossing. ⚠️

🚗 Stopping Distance at Railroad Tracks

What to Do:

• Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks if required to stop.

Example: You stop 20 feet from the tracks while waiting for a passing train. 🚗

🚂 Proceeding After a Train

When to Proceed:

• Only after the train has completely cleared the crossing and it’s safe.

Example: You wait until the last train car passes and then cross the tracks. 🚞

🚌 School Bus Rules at Railroad Crossings

What to Do:

• Stop, open the door, and check both ways at every railroad crossing, regardless of train visibility.

Example: A school bus stops, opens the door, and checks for trains before moving forward. 🚌

🚧 Railroad Crossing Gates

What to Do:

• Wait until the gates are fully raised before crossing, even if no train is visible.

Example: You wait patiently for the gates to lift before continuing your drive. 🚗

🚂 Caution at Unmarked Crossings

What to Do:

• Reduce speed and be prepared to stop if a railroad crossing sign is visible but no train is in sight.

Example: You slow down when approaching a rural crossing to check for trains. 🚶‍♀️

⚠️ Highway-Rail Grade Crossings Emergency Notification System (ENS)

The ENS helps notify authorities in case of emergencies like a stalled vehicle on the tracks.

📱 What is the ENS?

Purpose:

• To report stalled vehicles or emergencies on or near the tracks.

Example: You spot a car stuck on the tracks and call the ENS number to report it. 📞

🧐 Where to Find the ENS Sign?

• On or near the crossing gate or post with a toll-free phone number and crossing ID number.

Example: You find the ENS sign near the tracks to report a stalled car. 🏷️

🆘 Information on the ENS Sign

What’s on the Sign:

• A toll-free phone number and the crossing ID number.

Example: You dial the number on the ENS sign and give the crossing ID to report an emergency. 📱

🚨 What to Do if Your Vehicle Stalls on Tracks

First Action:

• Call the ENS number and provide the crossing ID immediately.

Example: Your car stalls on the tracks, and you call the ENS to report it. 📞

🛑 Can’t Find the ENS Sign?

What to Do:

• Contact local law enforcement if the ENS sign is missing.

Example: You call 911 to report your stalled car after failing to find the ENS sign. 📞

🚂 How the ENS Sign Helps in Emergencies

Purpose:

• The crossing ID allows authorities to locate the crossing quickly and act.

Example: You give the crossing ID to stop trains approaching the reported crossing. 🛑

🏃‍♂️ Post-ENS Safety Procedures

What to Do After Calling the ENS:

• Move to a safe distance away from the tracks.

Example: After calling the ENS, you move 50 feet away from the tracks for safety. 🏃‍♀️

📝 Quick Recap – Key Takeaways