Railroad-Highway Grade Crossings
This domain tests the school bus-specific railroad crossing procedure. The exam expects a complete stop and an active check, not a rolling scan, because a bus is large, slow, and full of passengers.
Required stop
- Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail; never stop on the tracks.
- Open the service door, turn off the radio and fans, open a window, and look and listen.
- Check both directions and watch for a second train on multiple tracks.
- Do not change gears while crossing. Cross without stopping once you start.
- Use an exempt crossing only when it is posted as exempt.
Worked example
Gates are up and lights are off, but you see a train approaching. Correct action: stay stopped, keep the door open, and wait. Reasoning: gates and lights can malfunction, and the visible train is the reliable information.
Traps
- Stopping closer than 15 feet or so far back that you cannot see.
- Relying on gates or lights instead of looking and listening.
- Shifting gears while on the crossing.
- Following another bus too closely so you stop on the tracks.