Part 9: Level crossings

Last updated: December 2008. This document ceases to be a controlled document when printed. Please refer to the current version at www.landtransport.govt.nz

4  Traffic signs

4.4  Signs used in advance of level crossings

Signs installed in advance of level crossings are the responsibility of the road controlling authority in consultation with the rail access provider.

Table 4.5  List of signs used in advance of level crossings

Sign code	Sign type	TCD Rule
WX1L	Level crossing ahead steam train facing left	W15-5
WX1R	Level crossing ahead steam train facing right	W15-5
WX2L	Tramway ahead tram facing left	W15-9
WX2R	Tramway ahead tram facing right	W15-9
WX11	Level crossing ahead ‘Exempt’ supplementary	W15-10
WX3	Level crossing ahead flashing signals	W15-6
RJ2E	Low overhead clearance at electrified railway assembly	W13-5/R5-4
WA1	Stop ahead	W10-1
WA2	Give Way ahead	W10-2
WX40	Level crossing at an acute angle to the left	W15-8.2
WX41	Level crossing at right angles	W15-8.1
WX42	Level crossing at an acute angle to the right	W15-8.3
WX5	Cyclist take care railway lines	W15-11
WXR1	Level crossing on controlled crossroad to the right	W15-1
WXL1	Level crossing on controlled crossroad to the left	W15-1
WXR2	Level crossing on controlled side road to the right	W15-1
WXL2	Level crossing on controlled side road to the left	W15-1
WXR3	Level crossing on uncontrolled side road to the right	W15-1.1
WXL3	Level crossing on uncontrolled side road to the left	W15-1.1
WXR4	Level crossing at controlled T-junction to the right	W15-2
WXL4	Level crossing at controlled T-junction to the left	W15-2
WXR5	Level crossing at uncontrolled T-junction to the right	W15-2.1
WXL5	Level crossing at uncontrolled T-junction to the left	W15-2.1
WXB1	Controlled intersection beyond level crossing
WXB2	T-junction beyond level crossing
Distance ahead supplementary
WG3(50)	Supplementary ‘50 m’ ahead	W13-4.1
WG3(100)	Supplementary ‘100 m’ ahead	W13-4.2
WG3(150)	Supplementary ‘150 m’ ahead	W13-4.3
WG3(200)	Supplementary ‘200 m’ ahead	W13-4.4

4.4.1  Level crossing ahead ‘steam train’ (WX1R or WX1L)

Policy: A level crossing ahead warning sign consists of the ‘steam train’ symbol displayed on a standard warning plate. The level crossing ahead ‘steam train’ (WX1R or WX1L) sign is generally installed separately but may also be supplemented by a ‘Look For Trains’ (WX8) or ‘Exempt’ (WX11) sign.

A ‘steam train’ facing right (WX1R) must be installed on the left-hand side of the road on the approaches to level crossings.

It is recommended that, in addition to the WX1R on the left-hand side of the road, a ‘steam train’ facing left (WX1L) sign is also installed on the right-hand side of the road:

• on roads with an AADT greater than 2000 vehicles per day
• on state highways
• where the level crossing is on a side road and 10–100 metres from the through road (see figures A9.2, A9.3 and A9.4).

Location: ‘Steam train’ (WX1R and WX1L) signs should be located where they are clearly visible to approaching drivers for a distance of at least 120 m on rural roads and 60 m on urban roads.

Except as shown in figures A9.2, A9.3 and A9.4 and at level crossings where intermediate signs are not required, the ‘steam train’ (WX1R and WX1L) signs should be installed in advance of the level crossings by not less than the distance ‘A’ in table 4.6.

At level crossings where ‘Stop Ahead’ (WA1), ‘Give Way Ahead’ (WA2) or other intermediate warning signs are required, ‘steam train’ (WX1R and WX1L) signs should be installed in advance of the intermediate warning signs by not less than the distance ‘B’ in table 4.6.

Table 4.6  Minimum distances at which signs should be installed

Road operating speed (km/h)	Distance (m)
	A	B
50	65	50
70	100	60
100	160	70

Distance A: in advance of level crossing where no intermediate sign installed
Distance B: in advance of any intermediate sign installed

4.4.2  Tramway level crossing ahead ‘tram’ (WX2R and WX2L)

Policy: The ‘tram’ (WX2L and WX2R) sign should be used as advance warning of a tramway level crossing on a road ahead.

A ‘tram’ facing right (WX2R) sign must be installed on the left-hand side of the road on the approaches to a tramway level crossing.

It is recommended that, in addition to the WX2R on the left-hand side of the road, a ‘tram’ facing left (WX2L) sign is also installed on the right-hand side of the road:

• on roads with an AADT greater than 2000 vehicles per day
• on state highways
• where the tramway level crossing is on a side road and 10–100 metres from the through road (see figures A9.2, A9.3 and A9.4).

Location: ‘Tram’ (WX2R and WX2L) signs should be located where they are clearly visible to approaching drivers for a distance of at least 120 m on rural roads and 60 m on urban roads.

Except as shown in figures A9.2, A9.3 and A9.4, the ‘tram’ (WX2R and WX2L) signs should be installed in advance of the level crossing by not less than the distance ‘A’ in table 4.6.

4.4.3  ‘Exempt’ (WX11)

Policy: Some vehicles, including passenger service vehicles (other than taxis) and certain dangerous goods vehicles, are required to stop at level crossings that are not equipped with barrier arms. To allow these vehicles to proceed without stopping, a road controlling authority may, in compliance with clause 9.5 of the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004, install an ‘Exempt’ (WX11) sign as a supplementary sign to each level crossing ahead ‘steam train’ (WX1L or WX1R) installed in advance of the level crossing.

The road controlling authority must be satisfied that:

• rail vehicles are piloted across the level crossing at a speed less than 15 km/h
• the level crossing does not have Stop signs installed, and visibility in either direction along the railway line from a point 37 m in advance of the limit line is 33 m or more
• the road is used by scheduled passenger service vehicles or is on a school bus route
• the rail access provider has approved the exception.

Where the road controlling authority considers an Exempt sign to be justified but all of the conditions listed above are not met, the road controlling authority may apply to the NZ Transport Agency for approval of an exemption (see section 9.1).

4.4.4  Level crossing ahead - type of control

Policy: WX3, WA1 or WA2 signs should be installed on the left-hand side of the road on approaches to level crossings equipped with flashing signals, Stop signs or Give Way signs respectively where the RPX1, RPX2 or RPX3 assemblies are not clearly visible to approaching drivers for a distance of at least 120 m on rural roads and at least 60 m on urban roads.

The WX3, WA1 or WA2 signs are used with an appropriate supplementary ‘[distance] m’ ahead (WG3) sign (see section 4.4.9).

On multi-lane approaches, a second WX3, WA1 or WA2 sign, as appropriate, should be installed on the right-hand side of the road.

Location: WX3, WA1 or WA2 signs should be located where they are clearly visible to approaching drivers over a distance of at least 120 m on rural roads and at least 60 m on urban roads.

WX3, WA1 or WA2 signs should be installed in advance of level crossings by not less than the distance ‘A’ shown in table 4.6.

4.4.5  Low overhead clearance at electrified railway (RJ2E) assembly

RJ2E assembly

Policy: The RJ2E assembly consists of an ‘Overhead electrical line’ (WW41) sign above a height restriction (RJ21 or RJ22) sign. No other sign is to be installed on the same support.

The RJ2E assemblies are installed in advance of level crossings where the presence of overhead electrification lines creates a safe height restriction for road vehicles. Main line electric lines generally operate at either 1500 V DC or 25 kV AC. The safe height in metres for each specific location is determined by the rail access provider and includes any electrical safety distance to the overhead electric lines. This height is displayed on the ‘height restriction’ (RJ21 or RJ22) sign.

Location: An RJ2E assembly should be located on the left side of the carriageway between the level crossing ahead ‘steam train’ (WX1R or WX1L) signs and the level crossing. There should be an uninterrupted view of the sign over a distance of 120 m on rural roads and 60 m on urban roads.

Where possible, the RJ2E assembly should be installed in advance of level crossings by not less than the distance ‘A’ shown in table 4.6.

Where ‘Level crossing on side road’ (WXR1–WXR5 or WXL1–WXL5) signs are installed, the RJ2E assembly should be located as close as practicable to the intersection on the leg leading to the railway crossing. In this case, or when the approach is multi-laned, the signs should be repeated on the righthand side of the road.

When installing RJ2E assemblies, care must be taken not to obscure any existing signs, signals or level crossing signals.

Sign size: Sign size depends on the particular application, eg urban or rural, two-lane or multi-lane road. The diameter of the ‘height restriction’ (RJ21 or RJ22) sign must match the length of each side of the ‘overhead electrical cable’ (WW41) used.

4.4.6  Level crossing alignment (WX40, WX41 or WX42)

Policy: The WX41 sign should be used when a road crosses a railway line substantially at a right angle. WX40 and WX42 signs should be used when a road crosses a railway line at the appropriately aligned acute angle.

A ‘Look For Trains’ (WX8) sign may be installed approximately 100 mm below a ‘Level crossing alignment’ (WX40, WX41 or WX42) sign.

Location: ‘Level crossing alignment’ (WX40, WX41 or WX42) signs should be located on the left side of the carriageway between the level crossing ahead ‘steam train’ (WX1R or WX1L) signs and the level crossing. There should be an uninterrupted view of the sign over a distance of 120 m on rural roads and 60 m on urban roads.

Where possible, the ‘Level crossing alignment’ (WX40, WX41 or WX42) signs should be installed in advance of level crossings by not less than the distance ‘A’ shown in table 4.6.

4.4.7  Level crossings near intersections (WXL1–WXL5, WXR1–WXR5, WXB1 and WXB2)

Policy: The ‘level crossing near intersection’ (WXL1–WXL5 and WXR1–WXR5) signs apply where a level crossing is located on a road intersecting with the road a driver is travelling on and is near (within 100 m) the intersection (see figures A9.1–A9.4).

In these situations, the driver may not be intending to travel across the level crossing and it would be inappropriate to use ‘steam train’ warning signs. However, such a driver still needs to be conscious of the possibility of a vehicle or a queue of vehicles having to stop in his path because of an approaching or passing train. In addition, any driver intending to turn into the road needs advance warning of the presence of the level crossing.

Intersection warning signs indicate the legal priority applying at an intersection. A wider stroke width with an arrowhead represents the roadway with priority, ie the intersecting roadway shown by the narrower stroke width is under Stop or Give Way control. Where normal intersection priority rules apply, both roadways are represented by strokes of equal width without arrowheads. The signs represent the more common situations but, where the intersection layout differs, the sign should be amended by adding an appropriately oriented strip to reflect this.

Location: WXL1-WXL5 and WXR1-WXR5 signs should be located where they are clearly visible to approaching drivers for a distance of at least 120 m on rural roads and at least 60 m on urban roads and be installed in advance of intersections by at least the distance ‘A’ shown in table 4.6.

Intersection immediately beyond level crossing

Policy: The ‘intersection beyond level crossing’ (WXB1 ‘controlled intersection’ or WXB2 ‘T-junction’) signs are only to be considered for use where the distance between the level crossing and the intersection beyond is less than 30 m. This distance allows a maximum-sized road vehicle (a vehicle with an overall length of 25 m permitted to use the roads without an individual permit but subject to some specific conditions of use) to stop before the intersection and stay clear of the railway line, while anything less provides increasingly more limited space.

In these situations, particularly where the intersection is controlled, it is important to ensure the signs used on the approaches to the level crossing, at the level crossing and at the intersection clearly and unambiguously provide the necessary guidance and direction to drivers.

4.4.8  Cyclists take care – railway lines (WX5)

Policy: In locations where railway lines cross at a skew angle to the direction of travel for cyclists, it is possible for cyclists’ wheels to either slip on wet rails or get lodged in the flangeway of the level crossing. In these situations, the road controlling authority or rail access provider may install the ‘Cyclists take care – railway lines’ (WX5) sign. A WX5 sign may also be installed wherever there is a significant number of cyclists travelling parallel to railway lines (most commonly tramway lines).

4.4.9  Supplementary ‘[distance] m ahead’ (WG3)

Policy: The ‘[distance] m ahead’ (WG3) signs are always used in combination with ‘Stop Ahead’ (WA1) or ‘Give Way Ahead’ (WA2) and may be used for ‘Level crossing ahead flashing signals’ (WX3) or ‘Level crossing alignment’ (WX40–WX42), PW1-1 and PW1-2 signs.

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