For the railroad buffs?

Question

What does it mean when a road crosses a rr track and there is a sign there that simply says "exempt"?

Answer 1

"Slow and Low Vehicles" are variously referred to in the statutes as types of heavy equipment, e.g. any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller or any other equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten miles per hour or less. Some statutes specifically mention six miles per hour or less and one as low as four miles per hour in this category of vehicles.

"Special Vehicles" as they are referred to in the statutes are vehicles carrying usually passengers for hire and school buses carrying children. Also included under this category are vehicles carrying explosive substances, flammable materials or other types of hazardous materials.

With the exception of Alaska, all of the states require one or more of the vehicles in these two categories to come to a full stop before traversing a highway-rail crossing. Federal regulations require every bus transporting passengers and vehicles carrying hazardous materials to stop and to listen and look in both directions along the tracks for an approaching train. When it is safe to do so, drivers may cross however, Federal regulations prohibit the drivers from manually shifting gears while moving across the tracks.

For a complete listing of vehicles required to stop under Federal regulations, see 49 CFR 392.10 (1997).

There is also a listing of "Exempt Crossings" at which the requirements for slow, low or special vehicles have no application. The majority of the requirements are based on Federal regulations which exempt the following crossings from the stopping requirements:

1) A streetcar or railroad crossing which is used exclusively for industrial purposes within a business district.

2) A crossing where a police officer or flagman directs traffic to proceed.

3) A crossing controlled by a functioning highway traffic signal transmitting a green indication which under local law permits the vehicle to proceed across the tracks without slowing or stopping.

4) A clearly marked abandoned crossing.

5) An industrial or spur line railroad grade crossing marked with a sign reading "EXEMPT".  The "exempt" sign must have been erected by or with the consent of local authority. For a listing of these exempt crossings. 49 CFR 392.10(b)-1 to -5 (1992).  

For example, Exempt Crossings - Pennsylvania exempts operators of special vehicles from stopping at crossings

where traffic is controlled by a police officer, flagman or traffic control signal. Stops are also not required at

any railroad grade crossing where a traffic control device gives notice that a stop is not necessary.  Additionally, stops

are not required at any abandoned crossing clearly marked as abandoned and at an industrial or spur line marked with a sign reading “exempt.” Any such “exempt sign may only be erected with the consent of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. 75 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3342(c) 1-2-3-5 (1999).

And for you from Texas, Texas does not require school buses to stop at an abandoned railroad crossing that is marked with a sign reading “tracks our of service, or an industrial or spur line crossing that is marked with a sign reading “exempt. Tex. [Transp.] Code Ann.§ 545.2535 (West 1999).

Drivers of vehicles that have an explosive substance or flammable liquid as their principal cargo and is moving at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour are required to reduce the speed of the vehicle to 20 miles per hour or less before coming within 200 feet of the nearest rail. After the proper speed reduction, the driver is required listen and look in both directions along the track and for signal indicating the

approach of a train and may no proceed until a determination is made that the course is clear. Tex. [Transp.] Code Ann. § 545.254 (West 1999).

The same section requires the driver of a vehicle carrying an explosive substance or flammable liquid as its principal cargo, before crossing a railroad grade crossing on a highway within a municipality to stop the vehicle not closer than 15 feet or farther than 50 feet from the nearest rail. After stopping, the driver is required to listen and look in both directions along the track and for signals indicating the approach of a train.

Exempt Crossings - Stops are not required at crossings where a police officer, crossing flagger, or traffic-control signal directs traffic to proceed; or where a flashing signal is installed and does not indicate an approaching train; or at an abandoned or exempted crossing that is clearly marked; or at a streetcar crossing in a business or residential district of a municipality, and at a railroad track used exclusively for industrial switching purposes in a business district.

Answer 2

Durned if I know, maybe you are exempt from being killed if you get ran over??

I'm gonna have to agree with Hogger and Dingy on this one, in our rule books and special instructions there are absolutely NO extra requirements or even mention of exempt crossings, therefore I must conclude there are no additional requirements or instructions for train crews.

After all, the signs point toward the highway, NOT the tracks so train crews dont even have a way of knowing which crossings are exempt.

It must be a directive aimed at commercial traffic, trucks, busses, hax-mat carriers etc.

As far as I know from an operational standpoint there is no difference, we have no additional instructions on them.

Been railroading since 1972.

Answer 3

All the previous answers are incorrect!!!! I have been a railroader for over 12 years.

An exempt crossing means it is up to the train crews to ensure the crossing is clear before proceeding across. School busses, trucks carrying hazardous materials and any other vehicle required to stop at road crossings MUST stop at an exempt crossing also.

Answer 4

well it means trucks carrying stuff like gas and hazmat don't have to stop before crossing ..same with school buses too .. it usually means the track is no longer used but still there. not sayin' a train might not use it once in a blue moon or somethin' but not enough to require those vehicles to stop everytime.  hows that?   ; )

Answer 5

Actually the exempt IS for vehicles hauling certain amounts of hazardous materials, in which they need not to stop.  Thats part of it, the exempt might have more meanings.

BTW i believe exempt DOES NOT mean trains no longer travel on the tracks, but when a  train does, it is not at all often, and the trains will be traveling slowly through that area.

Answer 6

no need to stop as there is no tran service at this location any more

Answer 7

It means school buses, trucks of hazardous materials, etc., do not have to come to a stop before crossing the tracks.

Answer 8

I have no idea.  This has never come up in our rules classes and none of the crossings.- even the ungated one, have signs saying " exempt " .  But in Texas, we are the 2nd in the nation for RR Crossing fatalities.   We blow at every crossing - even if its between 2 cow pastures.  Interesting question.