Public vs. Private Crossings
Private crossings are not required to have advance warning signs or other markings and are located on roadways not maintained by a public authority. For example, a privately owned road or driveway leading into a factory or onto a farm field is classified as a private crossing.
Public crossings are located on public highways, roads, and streets and are required to have advance warning signs and crossbucks by state law. Some public crossings may also have train-activated warning devices, such as flashing lights or gates.
Basic information about any public or private crossing, including the crash history at the crossing, is available at railroads.dot.gov/safety-data.