Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Training for School Bus Driversto move at a crossing. Use a pull-out...

Highway-Rail Grade CrossingTraining for School Bus Drivers

Presented by Operation Lifesaver, Inc. in cooperation with theNational Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services

P R O V I D E D I N T H E I N T E R E S T O F S A F E T Y

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D E C I D E S M A R T , A R R I V E S A F E

Table of ContentsInstructor’s Guide

I N T R O D U C T I O NTarget Audience .................................................................................................................. 1

Operation Lifesaver............................................................................................................. 1

Goal of Training .................................................................................................................. 1

S U G G E S T E D T I M E F R A M E F O R T R A I N I N G M O D U L E ............................. 1

S E L E C T D I S C U S S I O N P O I N T S ................................................................................ 2

Video Notes ......................................................................................................................... 2

S T U D E N T S T U D Y M AT E R I A LFive Alive Safety Drill .......................................................................................................... 3

Review Procedures at Highway-Rail Crossings................................................................. 4

S I G N S A N D S I G N A L S AT H I G H W AY- R A I L G R A D E C R O S S I N G S

Passive Signs at Railroad Crossings.................................................................................... 5

Signs in Advance of Railroad Crossings ............................................................................ 5

Active Signal Devices at Railroad Crossings ..................................................................... 6

S P E C I A L P R O C E D U R E S

Police Officer or Flagman at the Crossing........................................................................ 7

Obstructed View of Tracks ................................................................................................. 7

Storage Areas ...................................................................................................................... 7

Watch Your Overhang........................................................................................................ 7

Plan Ahead for an Emergency Evacuation....................................................................... 7

R E A L I N C I D E N T S - L E S S O N S L E A R N E DFox River Grove, IL .............................................................................................................. 8

Buffalo, MT .......................................................................................................................... 8

Conasauga, TN..................................................................................................................... 8

Savannah, GA ...................................................................................................................... 8

A N S W E R S T O S A F E T Y Q U I Z ................................................................................... 9

Locat ing U.S. Statistics on the Web .............................................................................. 9

Train Facts ............................................................................................................................ 9

R E S O U R C E S ........................................................................................................................ 9

L O O K , L I S T E N & L I V E

D E C I D E S M A R T , A R R I V E S A F E 1

Introduction

TA R G E T A U D I E N C EThe pupil transportation industry helpedOperation Lifesaver develop this training videofor school bus drivers and substitute drivers. Thisprogram is geared to increase driver awarenessof the potential dangers at highway-rail gradecrossings and to ensure the safety of theirpassengers and themselves. Several situationsthat resulted in tragedy are reviewed to helpdrivers learn to make smart decisions as theyapproach and cross highway-rail grade crossings.

O P E R AT I O N L I F E S AV E R , I N C .Decide Smart, Arrive Safe, developed inconjunction with the National Association of StateDirectors of Pupil Transportation Services, joins anumber of training videos developed by OperationLifesaver Inc. (OLI) to assist key audiences at riskfor tragedy at rail crossings. Operation Lifesaver isa national, non-profit, public education programdedicated to ending collisions, deaths and injuriesat highway-rail grade crossings and along railroadrights-of-way. All 49 continental United Statesand the District of Columbia have ongoing,statewide programs. To contact your state’sOperation Lifesaver Coordinator, visit “contact us”at www.oli.org.

G O A LOperation Lifesaver’s goal is to eliminate collisions,injuries and fatalities at highway-rail crossings. Byexplaining the potential dangers that await schoolbus drivers at highway-rail grade crossings,Operation Lifesaver helps school bus drivers DecideSmart, Arrive Safe. The program reminds driversthat it is never safe to attempt to cross the tracks ifa train is approaching.

Suggested Time Frame For TrainingModule 60 Minute Format

• Introduction................................ 5 minutes

• Discussion....................................10 minutes

• Video ...........................................18.5 minutes

• Study Material............................10 minutes

• Safety Quiz .................................10 minutes

• Question & Answer.................... 5 minutes

c. Do you have a method of estimating theamount of space on the other side of thetracks—where your bus will be going?

d. Do you calculate the width of the trainwhen you figure the space?

e. What do you do when there is more thanone set of tracks?

10. When you come up to a railroad crossing,who has the right of way? (The train) Why?The train can take a mile to stop—that’s 18football fields.

11. How do you judge the train’s speed anddistance from the crossing? (It is almostimpossible. Don’t risk a collision—wait!) Howdo you decide how much time you have tocross the tracks before the train arrives? Doyou wait when you hear or see a train?

12. Over the last ten years, do you think railtraffic has increased or decreased? (Rail andvehicular traffic have increased, but vehicle-train collisions have declined over this period.)

13. Do freight trains follow a schedule or arethey delivering products upon request?(Freight trains don’t follow set schedules.Passenger train schedules change. Driversmust “Always Expect a Train.”)

V I D E O N O T E SSchool bus drivers from urban Fairfax County,Virginia, and rural Dalton, Georgia, spent severaldays working with the film crew to show avariety of crossings and safety problems driversmay encounter. Share your concerns with yoursupervisor. If you have concerns about a particularcrossing, look for the railroad’s emergencynotification number listed at or near the crossingto report the problem or notify local lawenforcement. Provide the DOT crossing IDnumber (Alphabet letter plus 6 digits) whenyou call.

L O O K , L I S T E N & L I V E2

Select Discussion Points(Prior to Viewing Video)

1 Ask drivers about their driving experiencesoperating a school bus. What do they enjoyabout their routes?

2. Do you know what to look for when youapproach a crossing?

3. What are some of the stress factors in yourjob? How about railroad crossings?

4. What are some of the safety habits youpractice onboard the bus?

5. Do you have a system for quieting the ridersbefore you begin to cross the tracks?

6. Do you talk with your supervisor if there is anobstruction on your route that makes it diffi-cult for you to see up and down the track?

7. Do you have an opportunity to check outyour route before you drive young people onthe route?

8. Discuss differences between rural and urbandriving. Explore their present awareness ofwarning devices at highway-rail intersections.

a. What are the signs we refer to as PASSIVEsigns.

b. Discuss the signs and their meaning fordrivers.

c. What passive signs could you see at therailroad crossing?• Yield sign• Do Not Stop on Tracks sign• Tracks Out of Service sign• Exempt sign

d. What is an ACTIVE signal device at arailroad crossing? (Answer: Electronicallypowered equipment, including gates,lights and bells.)

9. As you are coming up to a crossing, how doyou decide if there is enough room for yourbus to fit on the other side? Can you tell methe meaning of “containment”?

a. How do you judge the length of your bus?

b. How do you know when you’re safelyover the tracks?


Five Alive Safety Drill

C R O S S I N G A H I G H W AY- R A I L G R A D E C R O S S I N G

STEP 1 Approach with Care

Slow Down a Turn off Radio & Fan b Listen for a Train

a Open Windows and Doorsb Look Both Ways Carefullyc Look and Listen for the Train

a If necessary, Rock Back and Forth to see aroundpillars, posts, buildings, trees, etc.

Do Not Switch Gears While Crossing

STEP 2 Alert Students for Quiet

STEP 3 Stop No Closer than 15 Feetfrom the Crossing

STEP 4 Double Take - Look Again in BothDirections

STEP 5 GO! Cross with Care

■ Check for traffic around you before you startto move at a crossing. Use a pull-out lane ifone is available. Turn on your flashers intraffic, if necessary.

■ Choose an escape route for your vehicle in theevent of a brake failure or traffic tie-ups infront or behind you. Plan this so you can getoff the crossing before the train arrives.

■ While slowing or stopped, look and listencarefully in each direction for approachingtrains. Move your head and shoulders to seearound obstructions, like mirrors, windshieldsand pillars.

■ If you drive a regular route, learn the locationsof the highway-rail grade crossings on it andwhat you need to look out for.

■ When coming up to a crossing, tap your brakesto warn cars behind you that you will bestopping the bus.

B E F O R E R E S U M I N G T R AV E L

■ Make sure there is enough room on the otherside of the track for your whole vehicle.

■ Look beyond the tracks to see if there is trafficcongestion, or a signal or STOP signal at ahighway-intersection up ahead. Is the spacelarge enough for you to completely clear thecrossing? Allow for your vehicle’s overhangand remember the train’s 3-foot overhang. Forsafety, plan a distance of 15 feet between thetracks and your back bumper.

■ If the flashing red lights at the grade crossingbegin to flash after you have started over thetrack, KEEP GOING!

■ DO NOT start to cross AFTER the lights at thecrossing begin to flash.

■ Check the crossing signals one final timebefore proceeding.


Review Procedures at Highway-Rail Crossings


Signs and Signals at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

PA S S I V E S I G N S ATR A I L R O A D C R O S S I N G S

Passive signs and active traffic control devicesare installed along the roads near the railroadtracks to regulate, warn and guide traffic. Theyalert drivers to the presence of railroad tracks andto the possibility of an approaching train. Thesesigns and signal devices also provide a safety mes-sage and remind the driver of the laws regardinghighway-rail grade crossings. What follows is a listof various signs and devices that you will see inconnection with highway-rail grade crossings.

1. The CROSSBUCK sign is the mostcommon sign at public highway-rail intersections. It has twocrossed white boards with thewords railroad crossing. It marksthe crossing and should be con-sidered the same as a YIELD sign.

If there is more than one track, asign below the Crossbuck indicatesthe number of tracks present.After one train has passed, wait,look and listen for another traincoming from either direction.

Take extra care at passive cross-ings (marked with a Crossbuck).Always expect a train!

2. The STOP and YIELD signs meanthe same as they do at highwayintersections. A driver mustalways stop at the STOP sign inadvance of the railroad track.Every driver must YIELD theright of way to a train.

3. The DO NOT STOP ON THETRACKS sign reminds the drivernot to stop on the railroad trackfor any reason.

4. The TRACKS OUT OF SERVICEsign tells the driver trains nolonger travel these tracks. It isnot necessary to stop at thesecrossings.

5. The EXEMPT crossing sign placed below thecrossbuck informs drivers of school buses carry-ing children that a stop is not required, exceptwhen a train is approaching or occupying thecrossing, or the driver’s view down the tracks isblocked.

S I G N S I N A D VA N C E O FR A I L R O A D C R O S S I N G S

These signs warn the motorist that the roadahead crosses the railroad track.

1. Yellow circular ADVANCE WARNING signwarns drivers that the road crosses a railroadahead. It reminds the driver to slow down,look and listen for a train and be prepared tostop if a train is sign approaching.

2. PAVEMENT MARKINGS on paved roads nearthe yellow circular Advance Warning sign alsoalert drivers that the road crosses railroadtracks ahead.

3. A STOP LINE may be painted across the laneon paved roads and identifies the safe placeto stop while looking and listening for anapproaching train.

4. The DRIVER MUST STOP THE BUS BEFORETHE CROSSBUCK sign or signal at the crossing.On gravel roads there are no pavementmarkings or Stop Lines. The Stop Lines on each side of a single trackgrade crossing are at least 35 feet apart. Do notstop within this area. Drivers should rememberto apply the emergency or parking brakes whilewaiting at the Stop Line so they won’t move orbe shoved into the path of the train.

5. The yellow diamond PARALLEL TRACK signidentifies highway-rail grade crossings thatappear immediately after making either aright or a left turn.

A C T I V E S I G N A L D E V I C E S A TR A I L R O A D C R O S S I N G S

These are electrically powered devices that warnof an approaching train.

1. Flashing Red Lights—with or without bells—warn of an approaching train. When the redlights are flashing, a train is approaching. Stopand wait for the train to pass, then proceedwhen it is clearly safe to do so. Know the reg-ulations in the state where you operate.

2. Flashing Red Lights–with bells and gates—warn that a train is approaching. It is illegal togo around lowered gates.


Signs and Devices at Highway-Rail Grade Crossings(Cont’d)


Special Procedures

P O L I C E O F F I C E R O R F L A G M A NAT T H E C R O S S I N GIf a police officer or properly-identified railroadflagman is present at the crossing, obey directions.If there is no flagman, and you believe the signalsare malfunctioning, do not proceed. Look for anemergency notification at or near the crossing toreport the situation to the railroad or contactlocal law enforcement. Then find another route.

O B S T R U C T E D V I E W O F T R A C K SPlan your route so it provides an adequate sightdistance down the tracks in both directions athighway-rail grade crossings. Do not attempt tocross the tracks unless you can be sure no trainsare approaching. Be especially careful at passivecrossings (those without gates, flashing lights, bells).

S T O R A G E A R E A SIf it won’t fit, don’t commit. Each driver needs toknow the length of their bus and the size of thestorage or containment area on the other side ofthe crossing. When approaching a crossing witha traffic light or stop sign on the far side, be surethere is enough room to proceed to avoid hang-ing over the tracks. You must look ahead and useyour judgment. If there is any doubt about thestorage space necessary to completely clear thetracks, don’t start across. Remember, the trainwill be 3 feet wider than the rails on both sides.

W AT C H Y O U R O V E R H A N G Know the length of your vehicle and allow foryour vehicle’s overhang as well. While the wheelsof the bus may have crossed the track, manydrivers don’t realize that their back end could stillbe hanging over the tracks. Many times a crashcould be avoided if it weren’t for the last few feet.

P L A N A H E A D F O R A NE M E R G E N C Y E VA C U AT I O NIf your bus stalls or is trapped on the tracks or youare required to evacuate your bus for any reason,review these steps (follow the program establishedby your School District),

1. Scout the Crossings on your route.Know the safest location to take your studentsin the event of a crisis at any crossing on yourroute.

2. Plan how you would evacuate your bus.

3. Get the students out quickly, without panic.

4. Once students are safely evacuated, call yourdispatch.Ask your dispatch to call the railroad, using theemergency notification number posted at ornear the crossing.

F O X R I V E R G R O V E , I L 1 9 9 5Containment or Storage Problem This is a multiple-track crossing with gates and lightsin an urban community outside Chicago. The schoolbus driver pulled across the tracks and stopped for ared highway traffic signal. Unfortunately, the driverdid not realize there was not enough room for theentire bus to fit safely on the other side of the tracks.

Three feet of the bus overhung the crossing whena commuter train arrived. A radio playing abovethe head of the driver prevented the warningsfrom students at the back of the bus from reachingthe driver. Seven students on the bus were killed inthe collision.

How a Driver can Avoid this Collision

1. Know the length of your bus. Check yourreference points to determine if your bus willfit. For safety, add 15 feet between your backbumper and the crossing.

2. Quiet your bus—hit the noise suppressionswitch or turn off the fans and radio and askthe students for silence–before crossing. Thiswill give you a moment to focus and to makea safe decision.

3. Do a double take just before you cross thetracks. This will give you the latest informationat the crossing before you move your bus.

B U F FA L O , M T 1 9 9 8This rural crossing with a crossbuck in a Montanafarming community has clear vision in all directions.Two brothers died when the school bus collidedwith a freight train. The driver was interrupted bya student asking a question and did not check thecrossing again before moving the bus.


1. Quiet your bus as you approach the crossing.Talk with your students at the beginning of theschool year. Explain why you can not interactwith them while you are driving, particularly atthe crossings, when full attention is required.

2. If for any reason you are interrupted as you doyour Five Alive Drill before crossing the tracks,start over and review ALL steps. Make surenothing has changed at the crossing.

C O N A S A U G A , T N 2 0 0 0Failure to Stop at a CrossbuckThe school bus driver at the Tennessee/Georgia linewas caught on camera failing to stop at this cross-buck. A freight train hit the school bus killing threechildren and severely injuring the driver’s daughter.


1. Remember the crossbuck sign requires schoolbus drivers to STOP at the crossing.

2. Check carefully at the crossing, following theentire “Five Alive” Drill.

3. Just before you cross, do a quick double takein both directions. Listen carefully for a train’shorn before you move your bus across.

4. Always Expect a Train!

S AVA N N A H , G A 2 0 0 5Instructing Student to Leave the Bus to Lift aRailroad GateFour students were instructed to leave the bus to lifta gate. The driver believed the gate malfunctionedand did not want to turn around. The studentsattempted to lift the gate, then walked over activetracks to their bus moments before a train camethrough. A parent who viewed the incident said thestudents barely escaped death. Both the driver whosent the students from the bus to lift the gate andanother bus driver who drove a school bus aroundthe gates were fired by the Savannah School District.

How a Driver can Avoid a Tragedy

1. Never send students out of the bus unlessyou are evacuating it and lead the students your-self. Never cross live tracks with students on footif you are required to evacuate your bus.

2. Look for the emergency notification number ator near the crossing. Call your dispatch orlocal law enforcement if you believe the cross-ing gate is malfunctioning.

3. Call the 800 number for the railroad listed on orat the crossing to report the downed gate.


Real Incidents - Lessons Learned


1. c 18 football fields = average stoppingdistance of freight train

2. d Know the length of your bus. Addan extra 15 feet for safety!

3. c An optical illusion makes the trainappear slower and farther away. Ifyou see an approaching train, wait

4. b Slow down and prepare to stop.

5. d All of the above.

6. d All of the above.

7. FALSE. Trains always have the right-of-way at highway-rail crossings. The lawsof physics make it impossible for a trainto stop quickly enough to prevent acollision.

8. TRUE. A highway-rail grade crossing ismarked with a crossbuck sign, whichshould be considered the same as aYIELD sign.

9. TRUE. A STOP sign at a highway-railgrade crossing means the same as aSTOP sign at any other highwayintersection.

10. TRUE. A number posted below acrossbuck sign indicates how many traintracks cross at that highway-railintersection.

11. TRUE. Lowered gates and flashing redlights mean a train is approaching.Do not cross!

12. FALSE. When there is more than oneset of tracks, another train could beapproaching from either direction,hidden by the first train.

13. TRUE. If the bus stalls, evacuate thestudents immediately. Look for anemergency notification number postednear the crossing. Call it to report theproblem to the railroad or notify locallaw enforcement.

14. TRUE. Do not stop, even if it means thebus will break the gate.

15. FALSE. By the time the locomotiveengineer can see a school bus on thetracks, it is too late to be able to avoid acollision. Trains cannot stop quickly,even after applying emergency brakes.

16. TRUE. School bus drivers are required tostop the vehicle no closer than 15 feetfrom the nearest rail.

17. TRUE. Most states and communitiesrequire school bus drivers to stop at thecrossing whether or not students are onthe bus.

18. TRUE. States may have more stringentlaws than the federal government.Learn the laws in your state from yourschool bus trainer.

U . S . S TAT I S T I C SYou will find the most recent vehicle-trainand pedestrian-train incident statistics at theOperation Lifesaver website: www.oli.org .These are based on updates from theFederal Railroad Administration.

R E S O U R C E S

Operation Lifesaver, Inc.1420 King St., Suite 401Alexandria, VA 22314-27501-800-537-6224 www.oli.org

Federal Railroad AdministrationDepartment of TransportationOffice of Safety Washington, DC 20590www.fra.dot.gov

Federal Highway AdministrationOffice of Highway SafetyWashington, DC 20590www.fhwa.dot.gov

Federal Transit AdministrationOffice of TechnologyWashington, DC 20596www.fta.dot.gov

National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministrationOffice of Traffic SafetyWashington, DC 20590www.nhtsa.dot.gov

National Association of State Directorsof Pupil Transportation Services6298 Rock Hill RoadThe Plains, VA 20198-19161-540-253-5520www.nasdpts.org

National Association for PupilTransportation1840 Western AvenueAlbany, NY 122031-800-989-6278www.napt.org

National School TransportationAssociation113 South West St., 4th FloorAlexandria, VA 22314703-684-3200www.yellowbuses.org

Answers to School Bus Driver Safety Quiz

T R A I N FA C T S

■ Stopping distance = 1 mile or more at 55 mph

■ Trains have no steering wheel = trains cannot swerve

■ Trains are heavier. 400 loaded school buses = 1 average train

(12 million pounds or 6 million tons)

1420 King Street,Suite 401Alexandria, Virginia22314-2750

TF 1-800-537-6224PH 703-739-0308FX 703-519-8267W www.oli.org

Decide Smart, Arrive Safe video and DVD produced for Operation Lifesaver, Inc., by Hamilton Productions

Printed materials designed by Marquis Graphic Design Associates

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