Railroad crossing signs and safety

Key points

1. A round yellow sign with an X and RR letters comes before a crossing; slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “A round yellow warning sign with an “X” symbol and black “RR” letters is placed along the road prior to a highway-railroad grade crossing. The sign cautions you to slow down, look and listen for a train or railroad vehicle and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 36

2. A white X shaped sign with Railroad Crossing printed on it marks the crossing, where you must wait for an approaching train.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “A white, X-shaped sign with “Railroad Crossing” printed on it is located at the highway-railroad grade crossing. You must wait for a train or railroad vehicle that is approaching the intersection.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 36

3. Where there is more than one track, the number of tracks will be posted, so watch for more than one train.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “At highway-railroad grade crossings with more than one train track, the number of tracks will be posted. These signs warn you that there is more than one track and there may be more than one train crossing.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 37

4. Do not go around a lowered crossing gate until it lifts or the lights stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “You may not move around the gate until the gate is lifted or the lights have stopped.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 37

5. A 100 car freight train at 55 mph needs more than a mile, about 18 football fields, to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “A 100-car freight train traveling at 55 mph will need more than a mile to stop, which is about 18 football fields, once the train is set into emergency braking.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 37

6. Cross only if you are sure you can clear the crossing without stopping on the tracks, and always yield to trains.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “Only proceed through a highway-railroad grade crossing if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping on the tracks. You must always yield the right-of-way to trains and railroad vehicles at highway-railroad grade crossings”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 37

7. If you stall on the tracks, get everyone out and run toward the approaching train, away from the tracks.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “If you do stall your vehicle when crossing railroad tracks, get everyone out of the vehicle and far away from the tracks, run in the direction from which the train is approaching.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 37

8. The Emergency Notification System (ENS) sign gives a toll free dispatch number for the railroad and a Department of Transportation number that identifies the exact crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “Information provided on the ENS sign is a toll-free dispatch number for each railroad, and directly below the dispatch number is a Department of Transportation number that identifies the exact location of the crossing in question.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 37

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Kansas practice test

1. 1. What does a round yellow sign with an X and RR letters warn a driver about?

   
   1. A highway-railroad grade crossing
   2. A hospital entrance
   3. A temporary detour
   4. A school-zone speed change
   Show answer

   A highway-railroad grade crossing. The round yellow sign with an X and RR letters is placed before a highway-railroad grade crossing. It warns the driver to slow down, look, and listen for a train or railroad vehicle, while being ready to stop. A hospital, detour, or school-speed sign has a different purpose and sign treatment. The railroad cue is the paired X and RR marking, which should trigger a search for tracks and an expectation that a train may be present even when none is immediately visible.

2. 2. What does the railroad crossbuck identify at a crossing?

   
   1. A highway-railroad grade crossing where trains have right-of-way
   2. A school zone where children always cross
   3. A work zone requiring traffic to use the shoulder
   4. A one-way street with a special lane
   Show answer

   A highway-railroad grade crossing where trains have right-of-way. The crossbuck marks the highway-railroad grade crossing, where drivers must give right-of-way to trains and railroad vehicles. The sign is not a school, work-zone, or one-way-street control. As the vehicle approaches, the driver should slow, look, and listen, and be prepared to stop if a train is approaching. Never assume the absence of a gate or flashing signal makes the tracks safe to cross.

3. 3. This round RR sign marks a Kansas crossing that also has a blue ENS sign. What does the ENS sign provide?

   
   1. A toll-free railroad dispatch number and a DOT number identifying the exact crossing
   2. The speed of approaching trains
   3. The train schedule
   4. A number for the county sheriff
   Show answer

   A toll-free railroad dispatch number and a DOT number identifying the exact crossing. The Emergency Notification System sign posted at crossings gives a toll-free dispatch number for the railroad, and directly below it a Department of Transportation number that identifies the exact location of the crossing. Railroad dispatchers answer the call, so a stalled vehicle or a broken gate can be reported before a train arrives. The round yellow RR sign is the advance warning that the crossing itself is ahead.

Source: the Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 6: Rules of the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.