I have received information directly from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation regarding the various complaints or misunderstanding of the Blank Out signs that light up when a train goes through town.  The information is as follows from a written inquiry made to the PA Dept. of Transportation:

“Existing traffic signals at the Main and Second Street, as well as the Main and Water Street Crossings; were replaced with a Department of Transportaqtion Grant Project in 2009.  As a part of the new traffic signal design, the existing railrod preemption was maintained.  The cable from the railroad was re-installed in the new traffic signal cabinet.  Work on the CSX railroad tracks was not part of the project.

Signal operation in regards to railroad preemption did not change with this project; however, blank out signs were installed at each intersection to prevent vehicles from traveleing towards the railroad crossing when a train is present.  The signs are not visible during normal operation.  Upon activation by an approaching train, the blank out signs (NO LEFT TURN, NO RIGHT TURN, DO NOT ENTER) are illuminate during the railroad preemption phases and they remain illuminated until the train clears the crossing.  After the initial railroad clearance phase, the traffice signal operates normally, except vehicles are prohibited from traveling on SR 0136 toward the railroad tracks.

Installation of blank out signs at traffice signals with railroad preemption is based on Federal and State regulations, engineering judgment and industry standards.  The prevent vehicle queues back to the traffic signals and minimize conflict between approaching vehicles and the railroad crossing.  DRIVERS MUST OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THESE SIGNS LIKE ALL OFFICIAL TRAFFICE CONTROL DEVICES.

Department Publication 149, Traffic Signal Design Handbook, Chapter 14 dated October, 14, 2010 states, “After the track clearance phase, the highway intersection traffic control signals should e operated to permit vehicle movements that DO NOT CROSS THE TRACKS…”

In addition, the Federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2003 Edition, Section 8B.06, states, “At a signalized intersection that is located within 60 m (200ft) of a highway-rail grade crossing, measured from the edge of the track to the edge of the roadway, where the intersection traffic control signals are preempted by the approach of a train, ALL EXISTING TURNING MOVEMENTS TOWARD THE HIGHWAY-RAIL GRADE CORSSING SHOULD BE PROHIBITED DURING THE SIGNAL PREEMPTION SEQUENCES”.  “A blank out or changeable message sign and/or appropriate highway traffic signal indication or other similar type sign may be used to prohibit turning movements toward the highway-rail grade crossing during preemption.”  “Turn prohibition signs that are associated with preemption shall be visible only when the highway-rail grade crossing restriction is in effect.”

The above mentioned Federal and State regulations may be viewed online at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/ and http://www.dot.state.pa.us/ respectively.

The information was forwarded by Ronal J. Clark, P.E, Assistant District Executive-Maintenance Engineering District 12-0.