- January 17, 2011 (a) is the compliance date for retroreflective strips on grade crossing (crossbuck) sign (R15-1) and Number of Tracks Plaque (R15-2P) at active and passive grade crossings.
The 2000 Edition of the MUTCD states that retroreflective strips should be placed on the back of railroad crossing signs (crossbuck) and on both the front and back of the vertical posts or mountings to be visible to approaching traffic. The implementation date for this requirement is January 17, 2011. The following explanation and drawings can be found in the 2000 Edition of the MUTCD in section 8B.02
Section 8B.02 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (Crossbuck) Sign (R15-1, R15-2)
Standard:
The Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (R15-1) sign, commonly identified as the
Crossbuck sign, shall be retroreflectorized white with the words RAILROAD
CROSSING in black lettering, mounted as shown in Figure 8B-1.
As a minimum, one Crossbuck sign shall be used on each highway approach to every highway-rail grade crossing, alone or in combination with other traffic control devices.
If automatic gates are not present and if there are two or more tracks at the
highway-rail grade crossing, the number of tracks shall be indicated on a
supplemental Number of Tracks (R15-2) sign of inverted T shape mounted below the Crossbuck sign in the manner and at the height indicated in Figure 8B-1.
Option:
The supplemental Number of Tracks sign may also be used at highway-rail grade crossings with automatic gates.
Standard:
The Crossbuck sign shall be installed on the right side of the highway on each
approach to the highway-rail grade crossing. Where restricted sight distance or unfavorable highway geometry exists on an approach to a highway-rail grade crossing, an additional Crossbuck sign shall be installed on the left side of the highway, possibly placed back-to-back with the Crossbuck sign for the opposite approach, or otherwise located so that two Crossbuck signs are displayed for that approach.
A strip of retroreflective white material not less than 50 mm (2 in) in width shall be used on the back of each blade of each Crossbuck sign for the length of each strip of retroreflective white material, not less than 50 mm (2 in) in width, shall be used on each support at highway-rail grade crossings for the full length of the front and back of the support from the Crossbuck sign or Number of Tracks sign to near ground level.
Guidance:
Crossbuck signs should be located with respect to the highway pavement or shoulder in accordance with the criteria in Chapter 2A and Figures 2A-1 and 2A-2, and should be located with respect to the nearest track in accordance with Figure 8D-2.
The lateral clearance for the nearest edge of the Crossbuck sign should be 1.8 m (6 ft) from the edge of the shoulder, or 3.7 m (12 ft) from the edge of the traveled way in rural areas, and 0.6 m (2 ft) from the face of the curb in urban areas. Where unusual conditions make variations in location and lateral clearance appropriate, engineering judgment should be used to provide the best practical combination of view and safety clearances.