Crossing lights are flashing with no train. What should you do?

Describe what you can see from a safe place.

Possible concerns include a damaged gate, lights operating for a long time with no visible train, or a warning that appears not to activate for rail movements. A distant or slow movement may be out of view.

Stay clear of the tracks. Tell the dispatcher exactly what you observed, where you were and when. Do not diagnose the system from the roadside.

Sources: FRA: emergency notification signs; 49 CFR Part 234: crossing warning systems and inventory.

Call the number on the blue sign.

Give the crossing ID and describe the warning equipment. The ID helps distinguish crossings that share a road name or sit close together.

If a person or vehicle is in immediate danger, call 911 as well. An online data correction or blocked-crossing submission is not a substitute for the emergency call.

Sources: FRA: emergency notification signs.

Find the crossing ID on the sign.

Railroads have duties when a warning system malfunctions.

49 CFR Part 234 sets requirements for crossing warning systems, including responses to reports of activation failures and other malfunctions. The required action depends on the type of problem.

The rule does not let a road user decide to ignore an active warning. Leave the assessment and response to the railroad and emergency services.

Sources: 49 CFR Part 234: crossing warning systems and inventory.

Use the record to identify the location.

The Atlas crossing page can show the reporting railroad and crossing ID. It cannot confirm whether equipment is working now or provide live train locations.

If you are researching an earlier fault, record the event time and preserve the report reference separately from the inventory. Equipment counts are not maintenance or inspection records.

Read the separate steps for a blocked road.