What is the closest distance to stop from the nearest rail at a railroad track?

Driver Traffic Laws on the Tracks Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing and signals indicate an approaching train, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within fifteen feet from the nearest rail of such railroad and shall not proceed until he can do so safely.



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The US standard railroad gauge is 4 feet, 8.5 inches (Gauge means width between the two rails).

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Except in cities or towns, whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing under any of the circumstances stated in this section, the driver of the vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until he can do so ...

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Fact #7: Trains Are Bigger than Tracks People may think they can stand alongside tracks and be safe from a train, but the truth is trains are wider than the tracks. A train can extend three or more feet on either side of the steel rail, so the safe zone for pedestrians is well beyond three feet on either side.

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Stop, look and listen – Stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the crossing. Open windows and doors, look both ways carefully and look and listen for a train.

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In accordance with Section 339, a distance of at least 14 feet from the center line of each railroad track must be maintained between parallel railroad tracks or adjacent sidetracks, unless authorized by written approval from MDOT's Office of Rail.

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A platform gap (also known technically as the platform train interface or PTI in some countries) is the space between a train car (or other mass transit vehicle) and the edge of the station platform, often created by geometric constraints, historic legacies, or use of partially compatible equipment.

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The bottom line is that vehicles with passengers or flammable materials, as well as school buses must stop at all railroad crossings. If any of them don't, the driver could face a penalty of up to $1,000 and a few months in jail. So, if you operate such a vehicle, stop when you see flashing lights and crossing signs.

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