Page 68 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual

driving commercial vehicles

Things that can increase the time you take to cross railway tracks include:

• the weight and length of your truck
• dragging brakes
• laws and rules against shifting gears

• rough crossing surfaces
• approach grades
• the angle of crossing.
Before you begin to cross, be certain there’s room for your vehicle on the
other side of the tracks. Stopping on the tracks is extremely dangerous. You
must not shift gears while crossing railroad tracks.
Watch for humpback crossings — Over time, humps can form at railway
crossings and present a danger to many low-clearance vehicles because:
• low bed trailers may hang up on the crossing surface or the rails
• low-hanging trailer appliances (for example, dolly wheels and tool boxes)
may catch on the rail.
Crossing more than one track — Take extra caution when crossing more
than one track. There may be other trains. Don’t assume that the train you can
see is the only one in the area.
Railway crossings at rural roads — Pay extra attention when you cross
railway tracks in rural areas because:
• approach grades may be steeper
• snow banks may be higher

• brush can affect visibility
• there are fewer automated warning systems

• there may be more humpback crossings.

The truck driver stopped
at this controlled railway
crossing because the red
light was flashing. The driver
must not cross the tracks
until it’s safe. Remember, it
takes larger, heavier vehicles
much longer to cross railroad
tracks than smaller, lighter
vehicles.

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