I have done a search on this, and have come up dry.
I was having a discussion with some others as to what the meaning of the “EXEMPT” sign was.
We have noticed that at some lesser used RXR crossings there is a sign below the “RailRoad Crossing” sign, or crossbuck, that reads “EXEMPT”. The person that I was discussing this with, thought that it exempted buses, and placarded loads from stopping for the crossing if it were unoccupied by a train.
I told him that I didn’t think that this was the case, since I have a CDL with Haz-Mat, and that every thing we were taught, was that placarded loads stopped at all crossings, period.
GENERAL ORDER NO. 145 lrrr PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS GOVERNING RAILROAD GRADE CROSSINGS TO BE CLASSI- FIED EXEMPT FROM THE MANDATORY STOP REQUIREMENTS OF SEC- TION 22452 OF THE VEHICLE CODE Applicable to exemption requests submitted after January 1, 1978 Adopted February 13, 1980. Effective February 13, 1980. Resolution No. ET-1269. 1. GENERAL These regulations are established to implement Section 22452.5 of the California Vehicle Code relating to railroad grade crossings which may be declared exempt from the mandatory stop require- ments of Section 22452 of the Vehicle Code. Section 22452.5 provides that: “The Department of Transportation and local authorities, with respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions, may place signs at railroad grade crossings permitting any vehicle described in subdivision (a) of Section 22452 to traverse such crossings without stopping. Such signs shall be placed in accor- dance with criteria adopted by the Public Utilities Commission. Prior to placing such signs, the Department of Transportation or local authority shall consult with the Department of the California Highway Patrol railroad corporations involved, and the operators involved and shall secure the permission of the _— Public Utilities Commission if a railroad corporation under the jurisdiction of the Public Utilities Commission is affected. Prior to permitting the placement of such signs, the Public Utilities Commission shall seek the concurrence of the Department of the California Highway Patrol.” Formal requests seeking “Exempt” status for a grade crossing must be made to the Commission by the California Department of Transportation or the local authorities with regard to highways under their respective jurisdictions. Other interested parties desiring “Exempt” status for a grade crossing must seek consid- eration of their request through the public authority having jurisdiction over the highway
In a much shorter version, “Exempt” in the state of New York means the line is still used, however, flagmen from the train have to be out at the grade crossing before a train is allowed to move on through, and school buses do not have to come to a complete stop which is required at any grade crossing in NY not labeled “Exempt”. Most of the Ontario Midland east of me is an exempt line and I’ve witnessed firsthand their operations.
The information I have given is not what it means entirely, but it should give you an idea to why it’s exempt.
in Texas it means there is no rail traffic and the trains dont use that line and hiway traffic does not have to stop un less red lights are flashing then you must stop before croosin and look for trains or equipment on tracks[8D]
EXEMPT signs were posted on three crossings of an abandoned branch here in Allen late last summer. They apparently make it legal for school buses, at least, to cross without stopping. One is only a block or so from the school district’s bus garage and a lot of buses take that crossing four times a day without stopping. On the other hand, all school buses still stop at another crossing where the rails have been torn out, the gates have been removed, and most of the flashing light signals have been cannibalized for parts (or vandalized).
I even took some pictures with the intention of posting them in this forum but never got around to it. (Some day I’ll tell you what a procrastinator I am.)
There is a crossing on an old Sacramento Northern branch that hasn’t had a train in at least 20 years (probably much longer). There is a gate across the track on one side and the track on the other side is in such bad condition that it definately is not useable. The school bus stops.
In Wisconsin I think it means that a train is still using those tracks but not that often and you don’t have to stop before the tracks unless the lights are flashing
Basically the same in Ohio. There was an “Exempt” crossing on US 30 near Wooster and now they have flashers. It would seem the line may have been reactivated. No more “Exempt” signs there.
I used to think that it meant NO trains went on it, but then I saw a train on one of the “exempt” lines. So in Vermont it just means it is not used enough to require busses to stop.
I was reading a book called, “railroads of vermont” and it had a map of ALL the railroads in Vermont in the 1800’s. Now I realize that there are probably only an eighth of them left! It’s sickening!