Railroad Crossings and Mountain Driving FAQ - Common Questions Answered

Quick answers to commonly tested questions from Sections 2.15-2.16 covering railroad crossing types, stopping requirements, mountain driving, and the snub braking technique.

Railroad Crossing Types

Q: What is a passive railroad crossing?

A: A crossing with no traffic control devices. Only a cross-buck sign or pavement markings are present. The decision to stop or proceed rests entirely with you—you must recognize the crossing, search for trains, and decide if safe to cross.

Q: What is an active railroad crossing?

A: A crossing with traffic control devices such as flashing red lights, bells, and/or gates. These devices regulate traffic and tell you when to stop.

Q: What does the round, black-on-yellow sign mean?

A: This is the advance warning sign placed before railroad crossings. It tells you to slow down, look and listen for trains, and be prepared to stop.

Q: What does the cross-buck sign (X-shaped) require you to do?

A: It requires you to yield the right-of-way to trains. If there's a number below it, that indicates how many tracks you'll cross.

Stopping at Crossings

Q: How far from the tracks should you stop?

A: Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Q: When is a full stop required at railroad crossings?

A: When: (1) cargo requires it (hazmat, passengers), (2) state or federal law requires it, (3) active devices are activated, or (4) visibility is limited.

Q: What should you do when stopping at a crossing?

A: Check traffic behind you, slow gradually, use pullout lane if available, and turn on four-way emergency flashers.

Q: When can you proceed after stopping?

A: Only when you're certain no train is approaching on any track, lights have stopped flashing, and gates are fully raised.

Crossing the Tracks

Q: How long does it take a tractor-trailer to clear a single track?

A: At least 14 seconds.

Q: How long to clear a double track?

A: More than 15 seconds for a typical tractor-trailer unit.

Q: Should you shift gears while crossing railroad tracks?

A: No. Never shift gears while crossing—you could stall on the tracks.

Q: What should you do after one train passes?

A: Check for trains on other tracks before crossing. A train on one track can hide a train on another.

Q: Can you trust railroad warning signals completely?

A: No. Don't rely solely on signals, gates, or flagmen. Always look both ways. Some crossings don't have active warning devices.

Vehicles at Risk

Q: What types of vehicles can get stuck on raised crossings?

A: Low-clearance vehicles including: lowboy trailers, car carriers, moving vans, possum-belly livestock trailers, and single-axle tractors pulling long trailers with landing gear set for tandem-axle tractors.

Q: What should you do if stuck on railroad tracks?

A: (1) Get out of the vehicle immediately, (2) move away from tracks, (3) find emergency number on signal post, (4) call 911 with location and DOT crossing number.

Mountain Driving Basics

Q: What factors determine safe speed on a downgrade?

A: Five factors: (1) total weight of vehicle and cargo, (2) length of the grade, (3) steepness of the grade, (4) road conditions, (5) weather.

Q: What is the principal way to control speed on downgrades?

A: Engine braking. The braking effect of the engine is the primary method—brakes are only a supplement.

Q: When is engine braking most effective?

A: When the engine is near governed RPMs and the transmission is in lower gears.

Gear Selection

Q: When should you shift to a lower gear for a downgrade?

A: Before starting down the grade. Once speed builds up, you cannot shift into a lower gear.

Q: What happens if you try to downshift after speed builds up?

A: You won't be able to shift into a lower gear. You may not get into any gear at all, losing all engine braking effect. Forcing an automatic transmission can damage it.

Q: What gear should older trucks use going downhill?

A: Generally the same gear needed to climb the hill.

Q: What gear should modern trucks use going downhill?

A: Usually a lower gear than needed to climb the same hill. Modern trucks have less friction and air drag, so they need more engine braking.

Braking Technique

Q: What is the snub braking technique?

A: Apply brakes firmly until speed is 5 mph below your safe speed (about 3 seconds), then release brakes completely. When speed returns to safe speed, repeat. This keeps brakes cool and effective.

Q: Why not just ride the brakes continuously?

A: Continuous braking causes excessive heat, leading to brake fade (reduced stopping power) and potentially complete brake failure.

Q: What is brake fade?

A: When brakes overheat and lose stopping power. You must press harder and harder to get the same braking effect. If you continue, brakes can fail completely.

Q: How long should each brake application last in snub braking?

A: About 3 seconds, long enough to feel a definite slowdown and reduce speed 5 mph below your safe speed.

Q: Can you give an example of snub braking?

A: If safe speed is 40 mph: wait until speed reaches 40, brake firmly to slow to 35 mph, release brakes, let speed return to 40 mph, then repeat until end of grade.

Brake Fade and Failure

Q: What causes brake fade?

A: Excessive heat from overusing brakes instead of engine braking. Brakes out of adjustment also contribute—some brakes work harder than others and overheat.

Q: How can you prevent brake fade?

A: Use engine braking as primary control, use the snub braking technique, check brake adjustment frequently, and select proper gear before descending.

Q: What are escape ramps?

A: Special ramps built on steep downgrades to stop runaway vehicles safely. They use loose, soft material (sometimes with an upgrade) to slow vehicles. Know their locations on your route.

Safety Rules Summary

Q: Should you ever race a train to a crossing?

A: Never. It's extremely difficult to judge train speed and distance. Trains cannot stop quickly.

Q: Can you expect to hear a train approaching?

A: No. Trains may not sound horns at all crossings, and noise inside your cab may block the sound.

Q: What's the most important thing to remember about mountain downgrades?

A: Select the proper low gear before starting down. Engine braking is your primary control, and brakes are only a supplement.

Key Numbers Summary

Ready to test your knowledge? Start practicing with our Railroad and Mountain Driving questions.