Two Tracks at a Passive Crossing in Western Massachusetts
At 2:15 p.m. on a clear day, you are driving a 45-foot coach with 28 passengers on a two-lane road in western Massachusetts. You approach a passive railroad crossing marked only by crossbucks; there are two tracks, and a long freight train has just cleared the near track. Your view of the second track is blocked by the departing train and a line of trees. The crossing has no 'Exempt' sign. You stop with your front bumper about 20 feet from the nearest rail, open the door and window, and listen. A passenger shouts, 'The train's gone-go!' The driver behind you honks. Your bus is 45 feet long, and the far side of the crossing has about 60 feet of clear space before a stop sign and a cross street.
1. Are you required to stop, and is your stopping position correct?
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Yes. A passenger-carrying bus at a non-exempt crossing must stop before crossing, even if no train is visible. The stop should be within 50 feet of the nearest rail but not closer than 15 feet. A 20-foot stopping position is within that range and is acceptable, provided you are not blocking the near track or a crossing signal. You must open the door and window, turn off noisy equipment, and look and listen. The honking driver and the passenger do not change the requirement. You should not move simply because someone behind you is impatient; the crossing check is your responsibility. If your stopping position blocked traffic or a crossing, you would need to adjust before stopping, but 20 feet from the rail is a valid inspection point for this coach.
2. What must you do before crossing the second track, and how should you respond to the passenger and the honking driver?
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After the first train clears, do not assume the second track is clear. The departing train and trees block your view, so you must continue looking and listening, and you may need to wait until the view opens or a crew member or signal confirms the second track is clear. The passenger's shout is not a substitute for your own observation. Cross only when you can see that both tracks are clear and that the 60 feet beyond the crossing is enough for your 45-foot coach to clear the tracks completely without stopping on them. Once you start, do not stop, shift gears, or change your path until the entire bus is clear. If a train appears or a signal activates, stop before the tracks and stay stopped.
3. How would your procedure change if the crossing had an 'Exempt' sign?
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An 'Exempt' sign means Massachusetts has determined that buses carrying passengers are not required to make the statutory stop at that crossing. It does not mean the crossing is safe to cross without looking and listening. You would still approach at a controlled speed, open the door or window if needed, check both directions and both tracks, and make sure the bus can clear the tracks without stopping on them. You would not need the formal 15-to-50-foot stop unless traffic or visibility required it, but you would still be responsible for a safe crossing. If visibility is blocked or a train is approaching, you must stop and wait regardless of the exempt status.