What does Exempt really mean at RR Crossings

[roadman65]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcme8erfZ1oPnB9U9
This grade crossing on a freeway in New Jersey has an exempt sign, but as you can see it's very active.

[Rothman]

It's exempting must-stop vehicles from having to stop.

[CtrlAltDel]

Here's the relevant law for New Jersey:

The commissioner shall designate a grade crossing an exempt crossing when the potential for damage and injury from accidents between motor vehicles required to stop at grade crossings and other motor vehicles traveling in the same direction exceeds that between a train and the vehicles required to stop by law.  Crossings designated as exempt crossings may include, but shall not be limited to, industrial, spurline and secondary crossings.

[roadman65]

It's exempting must-stop vehicles from having to stop.

So a school bus doesn't have to stop, open his doors to listen for a potential train, and then proceed slowly.

I'd like to see that.

Heck I'd like to see a small minivan that transports disabled people not have to stop at one as most I've seen require their drivers to treat the van( which by law don't have to stop) as school buses.

[andarcondadont]

Given that the roadway essentially functions as a freeway (albeit with a 35 mph speed limit and substandard shoulders), it makes sense to exempt must-stop vehicles from stopping.

[Rothman]

It's exempting must-stop vehicles from having to stop.

So a school bus doesn't have to stop, open his doors to listen for a potential train, and then proceed slowly.

I'd like to see that.

Heck I'd like to see a small minivan that transports disabled people not have to stop at one as most I've seen require their drivers to treat the van( which by law don't have to stop) as school buses.

Don't ask questions you're not going to like the answer to.

[Dirt Roads]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcme8erfZ1oPnB9U9
This grade crossing on a freeway in New Jersey has an exempt sign, but as you can see it's very active.

It's exempting must-stop vehicles from having to stop.

Correct.  More importantly, the sign indicates that the railroad has specific rules in place that require the train crew to stop at that particular crossing, such that a crew member gets off the train and flags across the crossing (in accordance with General Code of Rules 6.32.2 subpart XG, or equivalent).  Note that this particular rule actually applies to grade crossings whereby a malfunction has been reported, but the rule is more often used for lightly used lines where rusty rail conditions are likely (such that we assume that the train detection circuits would be malfunctioning if anyone were dependent upon them).

[Dirt Roads]

It's exempting must-stop vehicles from having to stop.

So a school bus doesn't have to stop, open his doors to listen for a potential train, and then proceed slowly.

Also, trucks carrying chlorine, flammables and certain hazmat at Exempt crossings are not required to "stop, look and listen" (in this case, roll down windows on both sides of the truck) before proceeding slowly.

So a school bus doesn't have to stop, open his doors to listen for a potential train, and then proceed slowly.

I'd like to see that.

Heck I'd like to see a small minivan that transports disabled people not have to stop at one as most I've seen require their drivers to treat the van( which by law don't have to stop) as school buses.

The specific regulation is 49 CFR Part 392.10 Subpart (a)(1), which requires that any bus transporting passengers stop at all railroad crossings.  In addition to the Exempt sign, here is another important exception that does not require stopping at "streetcar crossings" or "railroad tracks used exclusively for industrial switching purposes" and the comma is misplaced such that both of these exemptions are only in affect if those specific crossings are "within a business district".  The term "business district" here means something different than you are familiar with, essentially defining the setback distance of the crossing from a particular type of streetscape that is a minimum of 300 feet along one or both sides of a highway (looks a Roadgeek wrote this definition).

For the record, I have no idea how a common bus driver or truck driver could safely determine whether an old railroad crossing at grade meets the requirements for "railroad tracks used exclusively for industrial switching purposes...  ...within a 'business district' ".  It is far better to "stop, look and listen" and let the folks behind you complain.

[Brandon]

It's exempting must-stop vehicles from having to stop.

So a school bus doesn't have to stop, open his doors to listen for a potential train, and then proceed slowly.

I'd like to see that.

Correct, they don't.  I've been on school buses (a long time ago now) that didn't stop for such crossings marked as "Exempt", daily.

[SectorZ]

I don't believe I have any exempt crossings in Massachusetts. New Hampshire has them, mostly for lines that are either abandoned or so rarely used that crossing guards come off the train at crossings.

That one the OP put seems a tad shocking to be exempt.

[mgk920]

'Exempt' means that vehicles that normally have to stop at railroad crossings (ie, buses and trucks with HazMat placards) don't have to at that particular one.

Mike

[Rothman]

'Exempt' means that vehicles that normally have to stop at railroad crossings (ie, buses and trucks with HazMat placards) don't have to at that particular one.

Mike

Thank you for repeating what has been already repeated in the thread.

[kirbykart]

I always remembered this exempt crossing as it is in the little neighborhood where my grandpa lives. I've been up in this area three or four times in my memory.

(Also, if you pan around the other way, you'll see a stop sign only on the left side of the road.)

[US 89]

We don't have any here in Tallahassee that I know of, though there are several crossings where I've never seen a train and would be truly shocked if I came upon them and the lights were flashing. A lot of those types of crossings out west would have the exempt marker in my experience.

[JREwing78]

Michigan uses non-standard signage in at least 2 places to indicate exempt crossings; there is no Exempt sign, but a signal with a sign warning drivers not to stop on the green light.
US-127 near Ithaca: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZAuvuhm6AB48J3iP6
US-2/41 in Gladstone: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bT59SPtCE3wjrdSt8

Oddly, Wisconsin has a few expressways on which railroad crossings are NOT exempt; they go to the expense of making a special lane for those vehicles to stop that doesn't impede traffic. This example shows one example:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTLuzc1XA9VvSvZs5

[mgk920]

Oddly, Wisconsin has a few expressways on which railroad crossings are NOT exempt; they go to the expense of making a special lane for those vehicles to stop that doesn't impede traffic. This example shows one example:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HTLuzc1XA9VvSvZs5
[/quote]

There used to be a lot more of them in Wisconsin, including two on six lane urban freeways, but just those three (two on US 151 (at Beaver Dam and just south of Waupun) and that one on US 141) are left.  That US 141 crossing (near Pound, WI) had a fatal truck-train crash about a year or so ago.  "USE RIGHT LANE IF REQUIRED TO STOP AT RAILROAD".

Mike

[jeffandnicole]

That one the OP put seems a tad shocking to be exempt.

Probably because there's never going to be any high speed trains here.  To the right (east) is the Atlantic City Train Station, and the end of the line.  So trains are going to be travelling very slowly approaching or departing the station. 

I've seen the lights lit but never been stopped by the train.  As far as I know, they don't have anyone walking in front of or beside the train with a flag here.

[jamess]

That one the OP put seems a tad shocking to be exempt.

Probably because there's never going to be any high speed trains here.  To the right (east) is the Atlantic City Train Station, and the end of the line.  So trains are going to be travelling very slowly approaching or departing the station. 

I've seen the lights lit but never been stopped by the train.  As far as I know, they don't have anyone walking in front of or beside the train with a flag here.

Correct, thats the terminal, so all trains will be doing at best 5mph in or out. There is also no freight.

Better view:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1NdkK7BjGDBuRsW8A


There arent a lot of school buses using the roadway, but a TON of passenger buses. 

[J N Winkler]

To an extent, the meaning of the exempt sign will depend on the state.  California actually has two versions, with different rules attaching to each.

[mgk920]

'Exempt' means that vehicles that normally have to stop at railroad crossings (ie, buses and trucks with HazMat placards) don't have to at that particular one.

Mike

Thank you for repeating what has been already repeated in the thread.

Your welcome.



Mike