page_title: Level crossing
section_title: Germany
hierarchical_section_title: Level crossing / Crossings around the world / Europe / Germany
caption_attribution_description: English: Danish St. Andrews Cross
context_page_description: A level crossing is an intersection where a railway line crosses a road or path, or in rare situations an airport runway, at the same level, as opposed to the railway line crossing over or under using an overpass or tunnel. The term also applies when a light rail line with separate right-of-way or reserved track crosses a road in the same fashion. Other names include railway level crossing, grade crossing, road through railroad, criss-cross, railroad crossing, train crossing, and RXR.
context_section_description: German crossings use yellow and red lights and a bell/alarm (some crossings do not have these though) to indicate that the crossing is active. When activating a preliminary yellow light flashes which is followed by a red light that stays lit until the crossing has been cleared by the incoming train. Most of these crossings have a lightning symbol on the crossbucks, to indicate that there are overhead cables. Some German railroad crossings have a egg shape radar to detect obstacles on the tracks. Older crossings have a single red light on a square backboard with a red and white border. On older crossings, if more than one train is coming, a different bell will sound and a sign reading "2 Züge" ("2 trains") will flash.
caption: Danish level crossing sign in Skagen
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