The following definitions are brought to you courtesy of Operation Lifesaver Inc and are provided here to give you a quick reference to the terms that are associated with our outreach programs.

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing
The general area where a roadway intersects a railway.

Public Grade Crossing
A highway-rail grade crossing where the roadway is under the jurisdiction of and maintained by a public authority.

Private Grade Crossing
An at-grade crossing where the highway is privately owned and is intended for use by the owner or by the owner's licensees and invitees. It is not intended for public use and is not maintained by a public highway authority.

Traffic Control Devices
All signs, signals, markings, and devices placed on, over or adjacent to a street or highway by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction to regulate, warn or guide traffic.

Highway-Rail Crossing Warning Systems
Traffic control devices placed on or adjacent to a highway at, or in advance of, a crossing, including pavement markings and circuitry.

Active Highway-Rail Crossing Devices
Traffic control devices which give positive notice to highway users of the approach or presence of a train. Active devices include flashing light signals, automatic gates, and other similar devices activated by a train passing over a detection circuit or, in some instances, by manually operated devices.

Passive Warning Devices
Non-electric traffic control devices, including signs, markings, and other devices located at or in advance of a crossing to indicate the presence of a crossing. The purpose is to alert highway users to prepare for and take appropriate evasive action. Passive warning devices include:

Crossbucks
White reflectorized X-shaped signs with "RAILROAD CROSSING" in black lettering, located alongside the roadway at railroad tracks. Crossbucks should be viewed as a yield sign.

Advance Warning Sign
A round yellow sign with a R x R. It is located alongside the highway in advance of the crossing and is designed to notify a motorist of a highway-rail crossing ahead.

Pavement Markings
Markings in advance of the crossing, usually with the R x R set into the surface of or applied to or attached to the pavement for the purpose of advising, warning or guiding traffic.