Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings and Drawbridges
What the exam tests
This domain tests the mandatory stop at railroad crossings for passenger buses, the safe stopping distance, and drawbridge procedures.
Railroad crossings
A passenger bus carrying passengers must stop at every railroad-highway grade crossing unless the crossing is officially exempt. Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail. Open the door or window, look both ways, and listen. Do not shift gears while crossing. Cross only when there is room on the far side; never stop on the tracks.
If a signal is flashing or a gate is down, stop and wait. Never go around a lowered gate or drive around a gate arm, even after a train has passed. Wait until the gate rises and the signal stops.
Drawbridges
Stop before a drawbridge when a red light or signal indicates the span is open or moving. Do not proceed until the bridge is fully closed and the signal permits crossing.
Worked example
You approach a crossing with the gate down and lights flashing. A train has just cleared, but the gate remains down. The correct action is to wait. Reasoning: the gate and signal control the crossing; going around them is a serious violation and risks a second train.
Traps
- Rolling through a crossing instead of making a full stop.
- Stopping closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the rail.
- Crossing when traffic ahead could force you to stop on the tracks.
- Driving around a lowered gate.