Railroad and Light Rail Crossing Signs and Signals
Railroad and light rail crossings
A railroad advance warning sign is a yellow circle with a black "X" and two "R"s. At the tracks, a white crossbuck marked "RAILROAD CROSSING" means yield; you must stop if a train is approaching. A number plaque such as "2 TRACKS" warns that a second train may follow the first. Flashing red lights mean stop-remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gates are fully raised. Gates are not the primary signal; the lights and the train are.
If there are no lights or gates, stop, look both ways, and listen before crossing. Never stop on the tracks; wait until there is room on the far side. Light rail and streetcar crossings may use similar crossbucks, lights, and gates, but trains can be quieter and faster than expected. Do not walk or bike around lowered gates.
Worked example: You are stopped at a gated crossing. A train passes, the gate begins to rise, but the red lights are still flashing. You must wait: the lights may be signaling a second train. Proceed only when the lights stop and the gate is fully up.
Traps: driving around a gate that is down or rising; assuming one train means all clear; stopping on the tracks in traffic; and treating a crossbuck as a mere decoration. Also watch for "EXEMPT" plaques-they apply only to specific vehicles, not to you.