18.13 Pursuant to 42-4-707 C.R.S., School transportation vehicle operators of School Buses, Multifunction Buses and Motor Coach Buses, whether transporting students or not, shall apply the following procedures during the process of approaching, stopping and crossing railroad tracks: 

18.13(a) Activate the four-way hazard lamps not less than 200 feet from the railroad crossing to alert other motorists of the pending stop for the crossing;

18.13(b) Stop the bus within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail;

18.13(c) When stopped, the bus shall be as far to the right of the roadway as possible and shall not form two lanes of traffic unless the highway is marked for four or more lanes of traffic; and

18.13(d) Use a prearranged signal to alert students to the need for quiet aboard the bus when approaching railroad tracks. Turn off all noise making equipment (fans, heater, radio, etc.)

18.14 After quietness aboard the stopped bus has been achieved, bus operators shall open the service door and operator window. The bus operator shall listen and look in both directions along the track(s) for any approaching train(s) and for signals indicating the approach of a train. 

18.14(a) If the tracks are clear, the bus operator shall close the service door and may then proceed in a gear low enough to permit crossing the tracks without having to manually shift gears. The bus operator shall cancel the four-way hazard lamps after the bus has cleared the tracks.

18.14(b) When two or more tracks are to be crossed, the bus operator shall not stop a second time unless the bus is completely clear of the first crossing, with at least 15 feet clearance in front and at least 15 feet clearance to the rear.

18.14(c) Before crossing the tracks, the bus operator shall verify that there is enough space after the tracks for the bus plus 15 feet if it is necessary to stop after crossing the tracks.

18.15 School transportation vehicle operators of School Buses, Multifunction Buses and Motor Coach Buses are not required to stop at crossings controlled only by a red, amber, green traffic control signal when it is in the green position, or when the crossing is controlled by a police officer or human flag person, or when the crossing is marked with an official “exempt” sign placed on the railroad crossing light post or cross bucks post.

Last modified: Saturday, 30 April 2022, 2:45 PM