Rail Safety Bulletins Bulletin: 2012-001

 

Bulletin 2012-001

Second Train Event Warning Sign

Description

The figure represents a diagrammatic diamond-shaped Second Train Event Warning Sign (600mm X 600mm) with a rectangular warning tab sign (600mmX300mm) underneath. The diamond-shaped sign illustrates a pedestrian crossing in front of two train locomotives on two separate tracks. The rectangular sign contains the phrase “ATTENTION! 2 TRAINS” for added emphasis to the illustration.

When two or more trains are moving across a railway-roadway pedestrian grade crossing in urban areas near a train station, track junction, and/or multiple track alignment (two or more tracks) and they have the potential to cross through the crossing almost simultaneously, Transport Canada, Rail Safety recommends the use of a Second Train Event Warning sign.

The Second Train Event Warning sign is to warn/alert pedestrians of the potential presence of a second train at the crossing, especially in urban areas or near train stations where pedestrian traffic is heavy.

The sign is a diamond shape warning sign (600 mm x 600 mm) with a warning tab “ATTENTION! 2 TRAINS” sign (600 mm x 300 mm) that provides added emphasis to the message.

These Second Train Event Warning signs should be mounted as close as possible to the minimum height (2.0 m) above the ground to the bottom of the sign as specified by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada. If they are mounted higher than the minimum height, pedestrians may not see or simply ignore the signs.

These warning signs should be placed with the nearest edge not less than 0.3 m and not more than 1.0 m from the curb face. The signs should be placed a maximum of 5.0 m from the nearest rail (closer to the crossing is better but the minimum railway clearance setbacks from the nearest rail must be respected).

The installation and maintenance of the Second Train Event Warning sign should be done by the road authority and coordinated with the railway company to ensure the signs are placed and maintained in a consistent manner, and are highly visible to pedestrians. Sign installers/maintainers are required to have all buried facilities identified and located before the signs are installed on any public, railway or private land. This will prevent damage and save costs of unnecessary repairs.

Figure 1 – Typical Installation of Second Train Event Warning Signs

 

Description

Figure 1 depicts a typical installation of a set of Second Train Event Warning Signs. The figure indicates that the signs are to be installed beside the sidewalk so that the distance to the near edge of the sign is not less than 0.3 m or more than 1.0 m from the edge of the sidewalk. The signs should be mounted at a height of 2.0 m. The signs should be installed at a maximum distance of 5.0 m from the nearest rail of the railway crossing. The signs are always facing the pedestrians as they approach the railway crossing.

For additional information feel free to communicate with one of Transport Canada’s Rail Safety offices.

OTTAWA HEAD OFFICE
Transport Canada - Rail Safety
427 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1410
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0N5,
Tel.: 613 998-2985
Fax: 613 990-7767
E-mail: railsafety@tc.gc.ca 
https://www.tc.canada.ca

ATLANTIC REGION
Transport Canada
95 Foundry Street, Suite 418
Moncton, NB, E1C 8K6
Tel.: 506 851-7040
Fax.: 506 851-7042

QUEBEC REGION
Transport Canada
800 René-Lévesque Blvd. West
6th Floor, Suite 638
Montreal, QC, H3B 1X9
Tel.: 514 283-5722
Fax.: 514 283-8234

ONTARIO REGION
Transport Canada
4900 Yonge Street, 3rd Floor
North York, ON, M2N 6A5
Tel.: 416 973-9820
Fax.: 416 973-9907

PRAIRIE AND NORTHERN REGION
Transport Canada
344 Edmonton Street
Winnipeg, MB, R3C 0P6
Tel.: 204-983-4214
Fax.: 204 983-8992

PACIFIC REGION
Transport Canada
225 - 625 Agnes Street
New Westminster, BC, V3M 5Y4
Tel.: 604 666-0011
Fax.: 604 666-7747