What does the Round Shape Mean?

Grade Crossing Advance Warning Signs

What does the yellow circle sign mean?

In the United States, there is only one round road sign. The shape is used only for Grade Crossing Advance Warning Signs. You will se it ahead of a highway-rail grade crossing.

Such signs are yellow (to indicate warning) with a black border and black lettering. By learning the color system on road signs, this becomes simple to understand.

The lettering consists of RXR symbols, indicating a Rail-road Crossing.

In temporary work zones, you may also see orange railroad warning signs, but, in general, the signs are yellow and looks like this:

Only One Sign has the Circular Shape

It is important to remember that the United States has only ONE round sign.

In other countries, the round shape is often used for regulatory signs, but not in the United States.

You should also note that the “Do Not Enter” sign is not round .

It is a square-shaped regulatory sign with a round symbol (a red ball) and the text “Do Not Enter.”

Where is the Grade Crossing Advance Warning Sign Placed?

The round warning sign is used on all low-volume roads ahead of every highway-rail grade crossing. You may, however, not see the sign in business or commercial areas where active grade crossing traffic control devices are in use or when you approach a T-intersection with railroad tracks close to the intersection.

When you see the sign beside the road, you should be prepared to adjust speed, look for trains, and stop ahead if necessary.

The crossing itself is always marked with a cross buck sign. The cross-buck sign means yield. Trains must always be given the right of way!

In urban areas, traffic lights or stop signs often control the crossing. In rural areas, you are more likely to see a yield sign with the crossbuck. The yield sign has become more common at crossings in recent years to emphasize that you must yield!

You should under no circumstances try to beat a train at the crossing. A train moves faster than you think and cannot stop quickly.

When you must stop at a railroad grade crossing, stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.

If both gates and lights control the crossing, do not proceed until the red lights stop flashing and the gate rises completely. It is an offense to proceed across by driving around a lowered gate. This is true even if you don’t see a train coming or believe the gates aren’t working. (Read More at NTHSA website)

Call the toll-free number posted on a blue sign at the crossing if the gates remain lowered.

What about the Diamond Shaped Crossing Signs?

Understanding when and why these two signs are used ahead of a railroad crossing is a good idea.

The first one indicates the approach of a T-intersection. Before the intersection, there is a grade crossing, and there may be 100 feet or less between the tracks and the intersection.

In heavy traffic, you must watch the space between the tracks and the intersection closely. Can it hold your car if you must stop? Do not cross the tracks unless you are sure there is enough room on the other side of the tracks to stop before entering the T-intersection!

The second sign, a Skewed Crossing sign, tells you that tracks cross the highway at an angle. If you must stop before or after the tracks, ensure enough room between your car and the tracks.

The signs supplement the circular warning sign; they do not replace it.

These three signs are examples of warning signs that tell drivers making a turn that they will encounter a highway-rail grade crossing soon after making the turn.

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