Stop here and use phone at crossing

[DaveH23]

Not sure if this is the right place but this sign is more so aimed at you guys driving the bigger slower stuff.

You know the signs at level crossings that say 'stop here at use phone at crossing', is there any reason why they are always after the crossing?

I have never understood this? By the time you get to the sign you have already crossed.

Anybody care to explain? Its always puzzled me.

[Willy Nilly]

They want to know that you are clear of the crossing. I would guess they put an amber light up or some such to warn the train drivers that a crossing is being used, so they then need to give an all clear signal. Trains don't stop very well nor can they swerve, so treat them with respect.

[DaveH23]

Willy Nilly said:

They want to know that you are clear of the crossing. I would guess they put an amber light up or some such to warn the train drivers that a crossing is being used, so they then need to give an all clear signal. Trains don't stop very well nor can they swerve, so treat them with respect.

Your suggesting that you phone 'after' you have crossed? How would they know to put said amber light on in the first place if you phone afterwards?

I would of thought the road user would have to phone to make sure they are ok to cross but as I mentioned above the phone is after the crossing?

[Willy Nilly]

DaveH23 said:

Willy Nilly said:

They want to know that you are clear of the crossing. I would guess they put an amber light up or some such to warn the train drivers that a crossing is being used, so they then need to give an all clear signal. Trains don't stop very well nor can they swerve, so treat them with respect.

Your suggesting that you phone 'after' you have crossed? How would they know to put said amber light on in the first place if you phone afterwards?

I would of thought the road user would have to phone to make sure they are ok to cross but as I mentioned above the phone is after the crossing?

You are supposed to stop and ask for permission. When I used to do it, we would have to say "hi, this is Willy Nilly Farms PLC, can I have permission to cross?" They would then say yay or nay, then you would cross and call them back to say you were clear.

[DaveH23]

Willy Nilly said:

You are supposed to stop and ask for permission. When I used to do it, we would have to say "hi, this is Willy Nilly Farms PLC, can I have permission to cross?" They would then say yay or nay, then you would cross and call them back to say you were clear.

I understand that but why is the phone after the crossing. Surely it would make sense to have the phone before the crossing so you can ask permission or one before and one after, One to ask and the other to confirm you made it alive.

[alangla]

Normally it's on both sides. This one's Ardmore, just outside Helensburgh - http://goo.gl/maps/a9coj - warning board telling slow drivers to stop & phone, then http://goo.gl/maps/pZZrD another board telling them to return to the crossing & report clear. If you look on the RH side of the road in each shot, you can see the same boards for the opposite direction.

[DaveH23]

alangla said:

Normally it's on both sides. This one's Ardmore, just outside Helensburgh - http://goo.gl/maps/a9coj - warning board telling slow drivers to stop & phone, then http://goo.gl/maps/pZZrD another board telling them to return to the crossing & report clear. If you look on the RH side of the road in each shot, you can see the same boards for the opposite direction.

This is what I would expect but every one I see around my way only has one sign after the crossing and it has always bugged me.

[dabooga79]

I've always assumed it is more for the front escort of large loads, so the escort crosses the crossing & uses the phone then directs the large load across while on the phone to the operator who he can then confirm that the vehicle has crossed safely.

[DaveH23]

dabooga79 said:

I've always assumed it is more for the front escort of large loads, so the escort crosses the crossing & uses the phone then directs the large load across while on the phone to the operator who he can then confirm that the vehicle has crossed safely.

Very valid point and this would make sense.

Still think its daft putting it after the crossing though.

[Fun Bus]

Perhaps if only one phone the driver walks across to use it if approaching from the side without the phone.

Maybe?

[GTIR]

I've noticed this.
One phone and a sign for oncoming traffic after the crossing.

Odd.