Railway Signs

Despite the fact that railway signs are mostly cautionary signs they are grouped together as their own set.  Railway signs are black text on yellow diamonds or black on a white crossbuck.  Railway signs may also have a supplement plaque posted below them.  The following are the special signs only found next to railways.

SIGN

 NAME MEANING OPTIONAL
SUPPLEMENTS
Crossbuck A crossbuck is placed at the site of the railroad crossing. Number of tracks
Light Rail
Crossing
Ahead		 Light rail transit crosses the roadway ahead.
Trains move quickly, expect short delays.		 Distance
Heavy Rail
Crossing
Ahead		 Heavy rail transit crosses the roadway ahead.
Trains move slowly, expect delays.		 Distance

Intersection w/ Parallel
RR Crossing		 A very short distance is between your roadway and the railway to the side of the intersection. Light / Heavy

Distance
Tee w/ Parallel
RR Crossing		 A very short distance is between your roadway and the railway to the side of the tee. Light / Heavy

Distance
Side Road
with Parallel
RR Crossing		 A very short distance is between your roadway and the railway on the side road. Light / Heavy

Distance

 

RAILWAY CROSSING WARNING SYSTEM

For advance warning of an approaching train, all urban railway crossings must be equipped with warning lights.  In areas of high traffic automatic gates are utilized to restrict traffic.  In rural areas a motorist might only encounter a crossbuck.  ALWAYS check for oncoming trains while in rural areas. 

A railway crossing warning system consists of the following.

bulletRailway Crossing Ahead signs at least 100m from crossing.
bulletCrossbuck at the crossing.  (required at all crossings)
bulletApproach Warning Signal mounted on pole below crossbuck. (required at all urban crossings)
bulletAutomatic gates on the approaches to the crossing. (required in high traffic crossings)

Using a Railway Crossing

As you approach the railway crossing you will encounter a cautionary sign.
Slow down and be prepared to stop.
   IF YOU ARE IN A RURAL AREA
    Stop at the crossing, look both ways, and continue if clear.
   IF YOU ARE IN AN URBAN AREA
    Look ahead for the crossing signal.  All urban crossings are equipped with one.
    If no lights are lit you may proceed with caution.
    If the center white light is flashing, a train is approaching.  
            If possible, slow down and stop at the white line before the tracks.  
            Otherwise quickly exit the crossing.
    If any red X is lit, stop immediately!       NEVER CROSS THE TRACKS IF YOU SEE AN X
    If any of the red lights are flashing, or if the gate is down, you need to stop.
    Once the train is passed you must still wait until all lights are off.

What do the lights mean on the Approach Warning Signal

The following table lists, in order, what the lights mean on the approach warning signal.

LIGHTS ON MEANING
None No train coming, proceed with caution
Flashing White Train is approaching.  Stop or exit the crossing.
All Lights Steady With gates = Gate is lowering.
Without gates = Train is at beginning of crossing.
DO NOT PROCEED THROUGH CROSSING.
Alternating Red X's Train is passing through crossing.
All Lights Steady With gates = Gate is raising.
Without gates = Train is at end of crossing.
DO NOT PROCEED THROUGH CROSSING.
Steady White Prepare to go.
None Train has passed, it is now safe to proceed.

EXAMPLE OF AN URBAN RAILWAY CROSSING WITH GATES