Instructor Notes: Rail Grade Crossing Safety
This lesson plan was created in response to a letter from the NTSB to Governor
Locke last year. Governor Locke in turn requested that information be reviewed
with Washington State school bus drivers as part of the effort to insure that they
are aware of their responsibilities at railroad (RR) crossings. They must always
exercise caution and never become complacent.
We checked our record of past in-service topics and discovered that RR crossings
had not been presented as a stand-alone topic for eight years so please, no moans
and groans.
You will notice that the title is Rail Grade Crossing Safety. We have chosen to use
this crossing term that the railroad companies and Operation Life Saver use.
Included in this lesson plan are facts and figures related to rail grade crossings. An
18-minute video will also be shown. Every district has a copy of this video in their
Bus Driver In A Box. You will find additional facts as well as an optional quiz at
the end of the lesson.
This Plan should be handed out near the end of your presentation.
WORKING LESSON PLAN
2004/2005 SCHOOL BUS DRIVER INSERVICE
TITLE:
RAIL GRADE CROSSING SAFETY
EQUIPMENT:
Video “The Responsibility Is Ours” (18 minutes)
TV and VCR
Handouts
OBJECTIVES: At the conclusion of this lesson, the driver will be able to:
1. Identify at least three dangers at a highway-rail grade crossing
2. Describe the steps required to safely cross a highway-rail grade
crossing in a school bus.
3. Describe the proper procedure if their bus stalls on a rail grade
crossing.
4. Explain what a school bus driver should do if the active warning
devices are operating at a rail grade crossing but there is no train in
sight?
I.
INTRODUCTION:
It has been eight years since we have visited the topic of rail grade crossings. The
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently sent a letter to Governor
Locke voicing their concern regarding the safety of school buses at rail grade
crossings. The presentation of this lesson plan to Washington State school bus
drivers is in response to that letter.
You will notice that this lesson plan refers to rail grade crossing rather than
railroad crossing. This is the term the railroad industry uses to refer to their
crossings. This term has become more familiar to the public in recent years
because of Operation Life Saver presentations and public service announcements.
An engineer's worst nightmare is hitting a school bus or other vehicle full of
children. It is important that school bus drivers never become complacent in their
approach to rail grade crossings. From the moment a bus driver enters his/her
vehicle, they must be alert. No matter what the weather, road, or traffic conditions
are, you are responsible for the children in your care.
Always expect the unexpected! Know the specific steps required to safely cross a
highway-rail grade crossing in a school bus. Know your school district policy at
rail grade crossings. All highway rail grade crossing collisions are preventable.
The responsibility is yours. Any time is train time!!
(Ref. WAC 392-145-030)
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II.
PRESENTATION:
Before we begin let us look at a few facts about trains.
• Approximately 5,000 vehicle train-collisions occur each year in the United
States.
• Approximately every 2 hours a collision occurs between a train and vehicle or a
train and a pedestrian.
• 600 fatalities result from vehicle-train collisions each year in the United States.
• You are 40 times more likely to die in a collision with a train than in a collision
involving another motor vehicle.
• Most collisions occur with trains traveling under 30 mph.
• 64% of all collisions occur in daylight hours.
• Most collisions occur within 25 miles of the drivers home.
• Nearly 50% of all collisions occur at crossings equipped with automatic
warning devices.
• 25% of all collisions occur when the vehicle runs into the train.
Show the video “The Responsibility Is Ours”
Let’s review the video that we have just seen.
A. ANY TIME IS TRAIN TIME.
Many drivers pay little or no attention at highway-rail crossings they drive across
day after day because they never see a train there. They don't realize that freight
trains do not run on set schedules and can be anywhere at any time going in any
direction! At all crossings, and especially those you are most familiar with----ALWAYS EXPECT A TRAIN!
B. TRAINS CAN'T SWERVE!
When locomotive engineers see a vehicle or person on the tracks in the path of
their train, they can't swerve out of the way-----there's no steering wheel! The train
simply follows the tracks. Engineers can only sound the warning horn and apply
the emergency brakes. A train in emergency braking will stop, but not in time to
avoid this collision.
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C. TRAINS CAN'T STOP QUICKLY!
Did you know that the average freight train consisting of 100 cars and weighing
anywhere from 12 million to 20 million pounds takes over a mile to stop in
emergency braking? That's right! That's the length of at least 18 football fields
traveled before coming to a complete stop! Why such a long distance? There are
brakes on every wheel, but it takes that long for all of those brakes to overcome the
momentum of the tremendous weight pushing the train. Always yield the right of
way to the train because the engineer cannot yield to you.
D. BASIC PHYSICS 101!
The average family car weighs about 3,000 pounds. We all know what happens to
a 12-ounce can of pop when a car runs over it. The can of pop is totally destroyed
because the weight ratio of the car to the can of pop is 4,000 to 1. The average
freight train weighing 12 million pounds outweighs a car by the same ratio of
4,000 to 1. When a force of 12 million pounds hits a car, it will be destroyed----just like the can of pop!
E. IGNORING THE WARNINGS!
Some crossings are equipped with automatic warning devices such as flashing
lights and bells and gates that activate when a train is approaching. These are
active warning devices. Many other crossings only have passive warning signs to
alert you of a possible hazard ahead. These include the "advance warning sign"
(circular, yellow in color, with a black "X" and black letters "R-R") and the
"pavement marking" (large "X" and "R-R" painted on the surface of the road).
Amazingly, over half of all collisions occur at crossings equipped with the active
warning devices. Why? It's because some drivers choose to drive around the gates
or through the flashing red lights because they thought they could beat the train.
If this happens to you, call dispatch for assistance or find another route to get to
your destination.
You are prohibited from crossing the rail grade. Only an authorized railroad
employee or law enforcement officer can assist you in crossing.
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What is the proper procedure for a school bus crossing a highway-rail grade
crossing safely?
1. Know the crossing and evaluate it.
2. Slow down, tap your brakes and activate the 4-way hazard warning lights. This
alerts motorists behind you of your intent to stop.
3. Stay in the right lane or right side of roadway.
4. STOP no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the tracks.
5.
Keep your foot on the service brake so you can’t move or be shoved into the
path of a train. Open the driver’s window and the service door.
6. Turn off radios and noisy equipment. Do not turn them back on until you have
completed the crossing and are away from the track. Signal the students to be
quiet.
a. What signal do you use to let students know they need to be quiet?
b. Remember to use that signal only at rail grade crossings. LOOK AND
LISTEN.
7. Start crossing when you are sure you do not see or hear a train or a warning
whistle. Before moving, close the driver’s window and the service door.
NEVER
a. Stop on the tracks
b. Stop within 15 feet of the nearest tracks
8. When the bus has cleared the final track, deactivate the 4-way hazard warning
lights.
9. Can you tell when your bus has cleared the tracks?
a. You, the bus driver, need to know how long your bus is to tell whether
your vehicle has room to cross the tracks and clear them completely.
b. Do not cross the tracks unless you are sure the rear of the bus can clear
the tracks if you have to stop on the other side.
c. Treat multiple tracks as a single track and cross all at once.
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F. THE OPTICAL ILLUSION!
Because of the huge size of a locomotive (17 feet high and 10 feet wide), it appears
to be traveling much slower than we think when viewed from a slight angle at the
crossing. The combination of the size and angle create this illusion. The railroad
tracks also add to the illusion. The parallel lines of the rails converge toward the
horizon and fool our minds into thinking the train is farther away than it actually is.
It is virtually impossible to accurately judge the speed of a train when these
combinations of illusions are present. The train will be at the crossing before we
expect it.
G. DRIVERS RUNNING INTO TRAINS!
Did you know that in 25% of the collisions that occur at highway-rail crossings--people actually run into the side of the train? It's true! Often, it's because the driver
is going too fast for conditions, such as darkness, rainy weather or fog. Many
drivers "overdrive their headlights". This means driving too fast to be able to stop
in the distance illuminated by your headlights. By the time you see the train at the
crossing, it's too late to avoid the crash. In other instances, there may be high levels
of noise in the vehicle (loud radios, conversations, etc.), causing the driver to be
inattentive and not hear the train's warning devices. Always remember to look and
listen when you see the warning signs indicating a highway-rail crossing ahead!
H. DON'T PASS, STOP OR SHIFT!
Drivers who pass vehicles when approaching a highway-rail crossing run the risk
of a collision at the crossing. The vehicle being passed may obstruct a clear view
of the tracks, or the vehicle passing speed may be too great to stop in time!
Before starting across the tracks, be sure there's room to get completely across.
Many drivers get trapped on the crossing, between other vehicles, and end up
getting hit by a train or abandoning their car just in time to see it destroyed!
Many crossings are on a raised surface higher than the roadway. Shifting gears
with a manual transmission while going across this raised surface may cause the
vehicle to stall on the tracks. Be sure to shift well ahead of or after the crossing to
avoid getting stuck on the tracks!
I. STALLED ON THE TRACKS!
If your vehicle is ever stalled or trapped on the tracks and a train is approaching,
get yourself and all other passengers out-----fast! Don't try to take any other items
with you. It may be a fatal mistake! Remember one very important thing when
running away from the vehicle-----run away from the tracks at an angle in the
direction of the approaching train. When the train strikes the vehicle it will send
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flying metal and glass ahead of and outward from the locomotive. Many people
have been seriously injured and even killed because they ran the wrong direction!
If a train is not approaching, be sure to get yourself and all other passengers out of
the vehicle and to a safe location. Call 911 or the police and tell them the location
of the stalled vehicle. They will contact the railroad, and the railroad will do
everything possible to stop any trains before they get to the crossing.
J. THE SECOND TRAIN!
When you're at a crossing with more than one track, don't try to cross immediately
after the end of the train passes by. There may be another train approaching on the
other track. Trains hide other trains. Many crossing fatalities have resulted because
of impatience or unawareness at multiple-track crossings. You will always know
how many tracks are at the crossing by observing the familiar "cross buck" (white
X-shaped sign with black letters that spell "railroad crossing"). Directly below the
cross buck is a sign that indicates the number of tracks present if there are multiple
tracks at the crossing. The cross buck is also a regulatory sign that means "yield the
right-of-way" to the train.
III.
SUMMARY:
From the moment a bus driver enters his/her vehicle, they must be alert. No matter
what the weather, road, or traffic conditions are, you are responsible for the
children in your care. It is important that school bus drivers never become
complacent in their approach to rail grade crossings.
Always expect the unexpected! Know the specific steps required to safely cross a
highway-rail grade crossing in a school bus. Know your school district policy at
rail grade crossings. All highway rail grade crossing collisions are preventable.
The responsibility is yours. Any time is train time!!
IV.
EVALUATION:
Q.
Identify at least three dangers at a rail grade crossing
Q.
Describe the procedure a driver would follow should their school bus
stalls on a rail grade crossing.
Q.
Describe the steps required to safely cross a highway-rail grade
crossing
Q.
What should a school bus driver do if the active warning devices are
in operation at a rail grade crossing but there is no train in sight?
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A.
Ignoring the warnings
The optical illusion
Trains cannot stop quickly or swerve
Any time is train time
Multiple tracks could indicate a second train
Know the length of your vehicle
Do not drive onto the tracks if you cannot drive off of them
Overdriving your headlights
A.
Get yourself and all other passengers out-----fast! Remember one
very important thing when running away from the vehicle-----run
away from the tracks at an angle in the direction of the approaching
train.
1. Slow down, tap your brakes and activate the 4-way hazard warning
lights. This alerts motorists behind you of your intent to stop.
2. Stay in the right lane or right side of roadway.
3. STOP no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from
the tracks.
and
4. Keep your foot on the service brake so you can’t move or be
shoved into the path of a train. Open the driver’s window
the service door.
5. Turn off radios and noisy equipment. Do not turn them back
on until you have completed the crossing and are away from
the track. Signal the students to be quiet.
6. Start crossing when you are sure you do not see or hear a train or a
warning whistle. Before moving, close the driver’s window and
the service door.
NEVER
Stop on the tracks
Stop within 15 feet of the tracks
7. When the bus has cleared the final track, deactivate the 4-way
hazard warning lights
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A.
Call dispatch for assistance or find another route to get to your
destination. You are prohibited from crossing the rail grade. Only an
authorized railroad employee or law enforcement officer can assist
you in crossing.
Reference Materials:
Washington Operation Life Saver
http://www.wol.com
WAC 392-145-030
CM, DH, 2004
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WAC 392-145-030 Additional rules for school bus
drivers. (1) All school buses shall stop at all railroad
crossings except:
(a) Where traffic is controlled by a police officer or
duly authorized flagman;
(b) Where traffic is regulated by a traffic control
signal;
(c) Where traffic is protected by crossing gates or an
alternately flashing light signal intended to give
warning of the approach of a railroad train;
(d) Where an official traffic control device gives notice
that the stopping requirements do not apply.
(2) The driver shall open the door to listen for
approaching trains and shall not proceed until the
door is closed, visibility is clear, and the bus can
proceed with safety. Drivers shall not change gears
while the bus is crossing a railroad track.
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WASHINGTON STATE CRASH STATISTICS
(At highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way)
(1991 - 2003)
YEAR
CROSSING
COLLISIONS
CROSSING
INJURIES
CROSSING
FATALITIES
TRESPASS
FATALITIES
1991
102
23
10
20
1992
105
30
5
18
1993
81
23
6
13
1994
96
23
4
16
1995
90
23
4
17
1996
79
15
7
11
1997
62
26
8
15
1998
70
7
7
10
1999
51
11
2
14
2000
45
9
1
11
2001
38
6
5
16
2002
32
3
1
14
2003
27
6
4
16
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Rail Grade crossing safety quiz____________________________________
(Choose only one response.)
1.
There are approximately how many vehicle-train collisions each year?
a. 500
b. 1000
c. 3000
d. 5000
2.
There are approximately how many fatalities in vehicle-train collisions each
year?
a. 200
b. 400
c. 600
d. 800
3.
Most vehicle-train collisions occur when?
a. At night
b. Within 25 miles from home.
c. In rural areas.
d. Within 100 miles from home.
4.
It takes a freight train going 50 mph over a mile to stop. This is equal to how
many football fields?
a. 2
b. 12
c. 18
d. 25
5.
How do you determine if you have enough room for your bus to cross the tracks
if there is a stop sign or traffic signal following the crossing?
a. There is always room following the crossing.
b. Get out of the bus and measure.
c. Gauge if your bus can fit. If not, wait before crossing.
d. Trains rarely show up.
6.
You may misjudge the amount of time you have to cross the track safely
because:
a. You misjudge the distance of the train’s warning whistles.
b. Trains change speed unexpectedly.
c. Optical illusions fool the eye in judging the distance and speed of the train.
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Safety Quiz (continued)_________________________________________________________
True or False
7.
_____ As a school bus approaching a grade crossing, you always have the right of
way.
8.
_____ A cross buck sign is the most common warning device at a grade crossing.
9.
_____ A stop sign at a grade crossing means the same as a stop sign at a regular
intersection.
10. _____ The number posted below a cross buck sign shows how many trains cross there.
11. _____ Lowered gates and flashing lights mean a train is approaching and you must
stop.
12. _____ If there is more than one set of tracks, and the gates remain down, it is not a
malfunction, it means a second train is approaching from another direction.
13. _____ If your bus stalls on a track, as long as there is not train in sight, keep trying to
start it with the students on board.
14. _____ If the gates begin to descend, you still have time to get your bus through them.
15. _____ A train can stop if it has enough time to see a vehicle stalled on the tracks.
16. _____ You should stop at least 15 feet and not more than 50 feet from the nearest rail
at the crossing.
17. _____ If signals are malfunctioning, ignore them and proceed across the tracks.
18. _____ Absolutely every collision with any vehicle and a train is preventable.
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Answer Key to Safety Quiz_________________________________________
1. d)
5,000 collisions
2. c)
600 fatalities
3. b)
25 miles from home
4. c)
18 football fields
5. c)
Gauge if your bus can fit. If not, wait before crossing.
6. c)
Optical illusions fool the eye in judging the distance and speed of the train.
7. False No vehicle has the right of way at rail grade crossings because trains cannot
stop quickly.
8. True A crossbuck sign is the most common warning device at grade crossings.
9. True A stop sign means the same as a stop sign at regular intersections.
10. False The number at a crossbuck sign indicates the number of tracks at that grade
crossing and to beware of trains approaching from different directions.
11. True Lowered gates and flashing lights mean a train is approaching (even if one
has already passed). Never go around these gates. It is against the law.
12. True On more than one set of tracks there is always the possibility of another train
approaching from a different direction.
13. False Never keep your students on the bus for more than one attempt at restarting
the bus. Evacuate the students immediately.
14. False Never, ever attempt to try to beat the gates as they are descending. A train is
definitely approaching, and you are risking the lives of your children if you
try.
15. False Trains cannot stop quickly to matter how much the engineer works to put
the train into emergency.
16. True This is the standard rule in every state.
17. False There is no way to know if the signals are malfunctioning. Call your
dispatcher or the police or the 800 number posted at the crossing.
18. True EVERY COLLISION WITH A TRAIN IS PREVENTABLE.
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WASHINGTON OPERATION LIFESAVER
Highway-Rail Grade Crossing and Trespasser Awareness Safety
Frequently Asked Questions
What are engineers most afraid of hitting at the crossing?
•
An engineer's worst nightmare is hitting a school bus or other vehicle full of children. The second greatest fear for most engineers is
hitting a tank truck full of gasoline or chemicals. In these types of crashes, the train crew is often killed or seriously injured as well as
the truck driver and people near the crossing.
Why can't long freight trains clear the crossings faster?
•
First of all, trains are operated under rigid speed restrictions that are monitored very closely by the railroads and regulatory agencies.
Most freight trains probably average a mile in length. If the train is travelling 50 to 60 MPH, it only takes about a minute to clear the
crossing. At 30 MPH, it still only takes two minutes to clear. It only seems longer when you're in a hurry. Freight trains are made up
that long because it's more efficient. A long train actually means there will be fewer trains to occupy the crossing.
Why do trains have the right-of way?
•
Trains cannot stop in time for motorists at crossings, or for trespassers on the tracks. The average freight train, travelling at 55 MPH,
takes anywhere from a mile to a mile and a half to make a complete stop. The average automobile can stop in only 200 feet at that
same speed. It's a simple matter of physics: the heavier the object, the longer the stopping distance. In addition, the contact surface
between a train's steel wheels and the steel rails is only the size of a dime! That results in very little friction created when
compared to an automobile with rubber tires on asphalt or concrete.
What number do I call to get a train stopped when there is an emergency?
•
The fastest method is to call the local police or 911. Tell them the location, generally the name of the road intersecting the
tracks or the nearest town, and they will contact the railroad. The railroad dispatcher can reach the locomotive engineers by
radio and they will do everything possible to get any approaching trains stopped in time. Don't try to flag down the train.
Remember-----it can't stop quickly! Most engineers can effectively see about a half-mile ahead of their train. There's not
enough time to stop by the time they see you flagging them down.
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Flat spots on rail car wheels cause a loud banging noise. Is this dangerous?
•
Flat spots on rail wheels are quite common and are caused when the wheels end up sliding on the rails for various reasons. Generally,
there is no cause for alarm. It's like an automobile tire that wears unevenly, but isn't replaced until tread depth is reduced to a certain
point. Railroad equipment is closely monitored by the railroads and by federal and state inspectors. Flat spots are allowed to certain
tolerances. The railroads maintenance personnel work hard to try and make sure these tolerances aren't exceeded. They replace wheels
on a regular basis.
Who do I call to report a malfunctioning signal?
•
Call the local police, who will contact the railroad. If the signal malfunction is occurring on rail lines owned by the Union Pacific
(UPRR) or Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), you can call the following numbers:
UPRR ------------ 1-800-848-8715
BNSF ------------ 1-800-832-5452
These are emergency railroad crossing numbers. Please don't call them for other
matters.
What should I do when the signals are on and no train is visible?
•
If it is only flashing lights, you may proceed after coming to a complete stop, but only when you are sure the track or tracks are clear.
If there are gates at the crossing and they are in the lowered position, you must not go around them, but drive to a different crossing. It
is against the law to drive around lowered gates. It is possible that the signals are on because of the "fail-safe" design of railroad
crossing signals and gates. If a wire shorts, for example, the warning system is activated. Battery power is also available when the
regular power goes out to be sure the signals activate when a train approaches. Remember, when a signal system is activated, a train is
almost always in the approach circuits, but may be blocked from view.
Why don't all crossings have automatic warning devices?
•
The money for installing automatic warning devices actually comes from the taxpayers. A typical installation can cost $200,000 or
more. Once they're installed, the railroad maintains the system from then on at their cost. Many factors, such as frequency of rail
traffic, motor vehicle traffic and collision history play a part in determining which crossings will be signalized. There is also a
surprising statistic to consider. More than 50 percent of all collisions occur at crossings equipped with automatic warning devices. The
flashing red lights and gates are important aids in warning us of dangers, but they will not eliminate collisions. It is important that we
remember to look and listen when approaching any highway-rail grade crossing.
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Why aren't crossing gates heavier?
•
Heavier crossing gates would cause several problems. The gate is there as a warning to drivers, not as an impenetrable barrier.
Sometimes, drivers get trapped on the crossing with the gate down behind them. The gate is made of lightweight material that will
break off when a vehicle drives through it so there's an escape route. Heavier crossing gates would also be more difficult to keep
operating properly.
Why do trains have to blow their horns at crossings with automatic signals?
•
Many times, drivers find themselves not paying attention or not expecting to see a train, especially at crossings they are very familiar
with, because they never see a train there. These are the times when the locomotive horn may be the only warning that gets the driver's
attention. Don't make the mistake of thinking a seldom-used track has been abandoned. The railroad can put a train there at any time!
Who do I contact to complain about visibility problems at crossings?
•
It depends upon who owns the land where the obstruction sits. It could be on the railroad right-of-way which would be the railroad's
responsibility. It could be a private landowner, or it could also be government land. Regardless of the owner, those situations should
be reported to the railroad, preferably the division superintendent's office. In Washington State you can also contact the Rail Division
of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission at (360) 664-1265.
Is a driver in violation of the law when stopping a vehicle on a crossing?
•
Yes! It is against the law. It may only be a misdemeanor, but some drivers end up paying for it with the death penalty because they
couldn't get off the tracks in time.
Can I use the railroad tracks to access a remote area or beach if I'm careful?
No. It is trespassing. Railroad property is private property and access is strictly limited to railroad personnel and only those persons
who have been granted permission from the railroad. People who trespass on the railroad right-of-way may think they'll be safe for
various reasons, but the truth is more than 500 are killed each year in the United States and many others are critically injured. They
either didn't expect a train, thought it would be on the other track, thought it was moving slower, thought it could stop for them, stood
too close, or just didn't take the time to think about the dangers. In every case they were dead wrong! Don't let it happen to you. It's not
worth the risk.
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