TRAINS: Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean
STOP
! A full stop is always required. Make sure that there is no train traveling on the tracks and proceed.
What do the lights on railroads mean?
All railroads use the common red, yellow, and green aspects, although the indication of the yellow (approach) signal varies from road to road. ... Red means stop; green means proceed, and
yellow means caution or approach
, usually indicating that the next signal is red.
What must you do when red lights are flashing at a railway level crossing?
A red light at a railway level crossing always means stop.
Once the lights have stopped flashing,
check up and down the line, then proceed as long as there’s enough room on the other side of the crossing
.
What do flashing lights mean at a railway crossing?
Warning Sign with Yellow Flashing Lights
Warns drivers that they are approaching a highway-railway crossing. When the yellow lights are flashing it indicates that
the crossing signals are
, or are about to become, active. Be prepared to stop.
What does a red light mean on train tracks?
Similar to traffic lights, red means
“stop
,” yellow means “slow” or “caution,” and green means “go.”
What comes first at a level crossing?
The first step is
to learn the light sequences
. Many level crossings have amber and red warning lights. Unless your vehicle has actually crossed the stop line, you should stop when you see the steady amber lights come on. The amber lights will then change to red flashing lights.
How far should you stop from a railroad crossing with flashing red lights?
Remember that flashing red traffic signal lights mean STOP! Stop
at least 15 feet, but no more than 50 feet
, from the nearest track when the crossing devices are active or a person warns you a train is coming. Stop if you see a train coming or you hear the whistle, horn, or bell of an approaching train.
What triggers railroad crossing gates?
The basic signal consists of
flashing red lights, a crossbuck and a bell, attached to a mast
. At most crossings, the signals will activate about 30 seconds before the train arrives. ... The gates will rise and the signals will shut off once the end of the train clears the island circuit.
Are there flashing green lights at a railway crossing?
A flashing green light on a traffic signal means
the signal is pedestrian activated
. So, when you approach a flashing green light, use caution, because the signal could be activated by a pedestrian at any time and you might have to stop and let the pedestrian to cross.
What does W mean in train signs?
The ‘W’ is a
general whistle indicator
while the ‘W/L’ stands for Whistle for Level Crossing because there is unmanned crossing ahead.
What are the only Colours of flashing lights you will find at a railroad crossing?
Flashing red light
signals and bell
Red light signals are used with railway signs at many rail crossings. Stop when the lights begin to flash and the bells ring because a train is approaching.
What should you never do at a railroad crossing?
Wait until you can see clearly around the first train in both directions. Never walk around or behind lowered gates at a crossing. Do not
cross the tracks until the lights have stopped flashing
and it is safe to do so. You can be fined for failure to obey these signals.
What is a controlled railroad crossing?
If there is a crossing signal, complete your turn only if the signal indicates that you may proceed.
Railroads that have warning signs, red lights, and gates
are called controlled railroad crossings. In some rural areas, uncontrolled railroad crossings are found with no signals, signs, or gates.
How do you know if a train track is active?
First,
check the largest railroads in your area
(NS, UP, BNSF, etc) and see if they have it listed as an active line. Next, check the quality of the rails. Shinier rails means more trains. If tracks have rust and weeds growing high up, trains are less likely to still use it, however, there are exceptions.
Is it illegal to go around railroad crossings?
In every state,
it’s illegal for you to go around a lowered crossing gate
or to ignore signs or flashing lights posted at a railroad crossing. Trains always have the right-of-way, and for good reason: Trains can’t swerve, stop quickly, or change direction to avert collisions.
How do I know if a train is coming?
If a signal is lit up and shows all red lights
, it is possible that there is a train approaching from “behind” the signal as shown in the photo above. If a signal is lit and shows a green light at the top, that means it is cleared for a train to approach from the lit/facing side, so a train may be coming.
