New Sign

[Unlimited]

One day while me and my brother were out railfanning, we noticed a flashing sign near the tracks. When we got closer, this is what it was.

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Has anyone else seen a sign like this posted near a railroad crossing? It flashes about once per second day and night.

[Samwolf]

I've seen those signs, but never lighted.

[ATSF3814]

The only interesting ones we have around here are similar to these:



When a train is coming, the yellow lights start flashing and I think 30 seconds later, the crossing gates activate. I've never actually timed it though.

[simer4]

We have a bunch of those here in Winnipeg. They are near tracks with road intersections next to them.

[arizonachris]

Solar power with those new bright LED's around the edge. I'm starting to see them a lot around here, even LED's in the crossing gates with solar panels now. (of course, we put the don't stop sign on the approach side of the tracks ) We even have LED street lights replacing those darn orange ones now. Saving the City of Los Angeles millions a year in electricity cost!

[philmoberg]

... Has anyone else seen a sign like this posted near a railroad crossing? ...

AFAIK it isn't in the MUTCD yet, but all that means is that it hasn't been designated a standard traffic control device. I haven't seen this particular variant, but there there is a range of innovative signage out there, mostly on local initiative, for grade crossings and other high hazard locations. Most of these are effective, at least to some extent, at getting the attention of drivers who aren't alert. The bigger problem is the drivers who simply don't car.

What I would be curious to know is whether this sign flashes all the time, or whether it is interlocked into the other crossing protection.

[arizonachris]

The ones near me flash all the time, or at least as long as the battery has a charge. Then again, someone stole the two brand new signs this morning about 8am. I was going to the grocery store and watched all the commotion. Kinda like Keystone Cops in action. The bad guys did get away.

[Hawk]

Then again, someone stole the two brand new signs this morning about 8am.

That's downright pathetic.

[arizonachris]

That's downright pathetic.

Nah, just part of So Cal life. They will steal copper wiring or pipe out of any vacant house or building. Even if the water is still turned on. Solar panels are big money.

oh, I forgot, they will take an A/C unit right off a roof. need some R12 goodness!

[Unlimited]

AFAIK it isn't in the MUTCD yet, but all that means is that it hasn't been designated a standard traffic control device. I haven't seen this particular variant, but there there is a range of innovative signage out there, mostly on local initiative, for grade crossings and other high hazard locations. Most of these are effective, at least to some extent, at getting the attention of drivers who aren't alert. The bigger problem is the drivers who simply don't car.

What I would be curious to know is whether this sign flashes all the time, or whether it is interlocked into the other crossing protection.

Yea around here they will flash 24/7 at about once per second.

[Hawk]

Nah, just part of So Cal life. They will steal copper wiring or pipe out of any vacant house or building. Even if the water is still turned on. Solar panels are big money.

oh, I forgot, they will take an A/C unit right off a roof. need some R12 goodness!

They do the same thing around here.

Back when I was still doing electrical work, I was working on an old building, re-wiring it. Came into work one morning and we had no power. They got up on the roof and cut the two 3" rigid conduits and stole the copper wire, and this was a hot 800 Amp service.