Chapter 5F. Traffic Control for Highway-Rail Grade Crossings
Section 5F.01 Introduction
Support:
The criteria for highway-rail grade crossing traffic control devices
are contained in Part 8 and
in other Sections of this Manual.
Traffic control for highway-rail grade crossings includes all signs, signals, markings, illumination, and other warning devices and their supports along roadways either approaching or at highway-rail grade crossings. The function of this traffic control is to permit reasonably safe and efficient operation of both rail and road traffic at highway-rail grade crossings.
Section 5F.02 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (Crossbuck) Sign (R15-1, R15-2)
Standard:
The Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (Crossbuck) (R15-1) sign (see Figure
5F-1) shall be used at all highway-rail grade crossings. For all
low-volume roads, Crossbucks signs shall be used on the right side
of each approach. If there are two or more tracks, the supplemental
Number of Tracks (R15-2) sign (see Figure 5F-1) shall display the
number of tracks and shall be installed below the Crossbuck sign.
Figure 5F-1 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Signs for Low-Volume Roads
A strip of retroreflective white material not less than 50 mm (2 in) in width shall be used on the back of each blade of each Crossbuck sign for the length of each blade, at all highway-rail grade crossings, except those where Crossbuck signs have been installed back-to-back.
A strip of retroreflective white material, not less than 50 mm (2 in) in width, shall be used on each support at passive highway-rail grade crossings for the full length of the front and back of the support from the Crossbuck sign or Number of Tracks sign to within 0.6 (2 ft) above the edge of the roadway, except on the side of those supports where a STOP (R1-1) or YIELD (R1-2) sign or flashing lights have been installed or on the back side of supports for Crossbuck signs installed on one-way streets.
Section 5F.03 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance Warning Signs (W10 Series)
Standard:
Except as noted in the Option, a Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance
Warning (W10-1) sign (see Figure 5F-1) shall be used on all low-volume
roads in advance of every highway-rail grade crossing.
Option:
The Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Advance Warning sign may be omitted
for highway-rail grade crossings that are flagged by train crews.
The W10-2, W10-3, and W10-4 signs (see Figure 5F-1) may be used on low-volume roads that run parallel to railroad tracks to warn road users making a turn that they will encounter a highway-rail grade crossing soon after making the turn.
Section 5F.04 STOP and YIELD Signs (R1-1, R1-2)
Option:
STOP (R1-1) or YIELD (R1-2) signs may be used at low-volume highway-rail
grade crossings, at the discretion of the responsible jurisdiction,
for crossings without automatic traffic control devices, consistent
with the provisions of Sections 2B.04
to 2B.10.
Standard:
A Stop Ahead (W3-1) sign or Yield Ahead (W3-2) sign shall be used
in advance of a STOP or YIELD sign at a highway-rail grade crossing
if the STOP or YIELD sign is not visible for a distance that enables
the road user to bring the vehicle to a reasonably safe stop at
the highway-rail grade crossing.
Section 5F.05 Pavement Markings
Guidance:
Pavement markings at highway-rail grade crossings should be used
on paved low-volume roads, particularly if they are already deployed
at most other highway-rail grade crossings within the immediate
vicinity, or when the roadway has centerline markings.
Section 5F.06 Other Traffic Control Devices
Standard:
Other traffic control devices that are used at highway-rail grade
crossings on low-volume roads, such as other signs, signals, and
illumination that are not in this Chapter, shall conform with the
criteria contained in Part 8
and other applicable Parts of this Manual.
