What should you do if a crossing gate is stuck open or closed?

What should you do if a crossing gate is stuck open or closed?

• A. Continue crossing without stopping
• B. Ignore the gate if there is low traffic
• C. Stop, protect, notify dispatch, and follow abnormal procedures.
• D. Call a friend for advice

Answer: (C)

When a crossing gate is stuck, safety must come first and you follow a defined emergency procedure. Stop before the crossing so you don’t enter the intersection, then protect the crossing by preventing vehicles or pedestrians from entering the area and maintaining a safe position for the train. Notify dispatch immediately to report the malfunction and get the correct instructions and authority to proceed or detour. Finally, follow the abnormal procedures your railroad has in place for equipment failures at crossings, which give the exact steps to take and the proper authorities to contact. This approach covers both stuck-open and stuck-closed scenarios and keeps you from taking unsafe actions. Ignoring the gate, continuing through, or asking a non-authority for advice would miss these critical safety steps.

When a crossing gate is stuck, safety must come first and you follow a defined emergency procedure. Stop before the crossing so you don’t enter the intersection, then protect the crossing by preventing vehicles or pedestrians from entering the area and maintaining a safe position for the train. Notify dispatch immediately to report the malfunction and get the correct instructions and authority to proceed or detour. Finally, follow the abnormal procedures your railroad has in place for equipment failures at crossings, which give the exact steps to take and the proper authorities to contact. This approach covers both stuck-open and stuck-closed scenarios and keeps you from taking unsafe actions. Ignoring the gate, continuing through, or asking a non-authority for advice would miss these critical safety steps.