What do flashing lights mean at a railway crossing?

Warning Sign with Yellow Flashing Lights Warns drivers that they are approaching a highway-railway crossing. When the yellow lights are flashing it indicates that the crossing signals are, or are about to become, active.

What should you do if railroad crossing lights are flashing?

Flashing red warning lights indicate you must stop and wait. Do not proceed over the railroad tracks until the red lights stop flashing, even if the gate rises. If the gates are lowered and you do not see a train approaching, call the posted railroad emergency toll-free number or 9-1-1.

What do you do when a railroad gate is lowering and/or lights are flashing?

When the train clears the crossing, and no other train is approaching, the gate arm should ascend to its upright position normally in no more than 12 seconds, after which the flashing-lights and the lights on the gate arm should cease operation.

How long should a driver stop at a railroad crossing when the flashing light signals are flashing?

15 feet
Do not continue through the railroad crossing until it is clear and the lights stop flashing. Remember that flashing red lights at a railroad crossing always mean to stop completely and immediately at least 15 feet before the tracks. Gated crossings are a further refinement of flashing light signals.

What is the meaning of railroad lights?

The Meaning of Railroad Signal Lights. Like traffic lights for automobiles, train signals were created to prevent accidents and inform drivers of when the track ahead is clear. While railway lights are more complicated and vary in different parts of the world, colors are universally understood to mean the same thing: red for stop,…

What is a railroad block signal?

Automatic block signaling (ABS) is a railroad communications system that consists of a series of signals that divide a railway line into a series of sections, or “blocks”. The system controls the movement of trains between the blocks using automatic signals.

What does railroad signal mean?

A railway signal is a visual display device that conveys instructions or provides advance warning of instructions regarding the driver’s authority to proceed. The driver interprets the signal’s indication and acts accordingly.

What is a train signal?

Definition of train signal. : a signal conveyed from the cars of a railroad train to the locomotive by a mechanical device. You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.