Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems

RSC 115 focuses on equipping technicians with the essential knowledge and practical skills required for maintaining the safety and reliability of highway-rail grade crossing warning systems. The curriculum covers the operational theory of crossing predictors, the mechanics and control of automatic gates, and the electrical principles of flashing light assemblies. Students will learn industry best practices for routine inspections, perform detailed functional tests, and apply systematic troubleshooting methodologies to diagnose and resolve common system faults. Emphasis is placed on safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and precision in all maintenance activities. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on laboratory exercises, participants will develop the proficiency necessary to ensure these critical safety systems operate effectively and dependably.

InstructorJacob Calhoun

Prerequisites

RSC 105 RSC 110

Course outline

Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.

01Lesson 1: Introduction to Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systemslecture

02Lesson 2: Principles of Warning System Operation and Safety Standardslecture

03Lesson 3: Fundamentals of Crossing Predictors and Detection Technologieslecture

04Hands-on Lab: Basic System Component Identification and Setuplab

05Lesson 5: Automatic Gate Mechanisms and Control Circuitrylecture

06Lesson 6: Flashing Light Assemblies and Auditory Warning Deviceslecture

07Lesson 7: Power Supplies, Batteries, and Charging Systemslecture

08Hands-on Lab: Performing Pre-Operational Checks and Basic Adjustmentslab

09Lesson 9: Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques for Warning Systemslecture

10Lesson 10: Regulatory Compliance and Documentation for Grade Crossingslecture

11Hands-on Lab: Advanced Fault Diagnosis and Repair Procedureslab

12Lesson 12: Communication Protocols and Remote Monitoring Systemslecture

13Lesson 13: Preventative Maintenance and Longevity Strategieslecture

14Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Warning System Inspection and Evaluationassignment

Syllabus

["Week 1: Lesson 1: Introduction to Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Warning Systems","Week 2: Lesson 2: Principles of Warning System Operation and Safety Standards","Week 3: Lesson 3: Fundamentals of Crossing Predictors and Detection Technologies","Week 4: Hands-on Lab: Basic System Component Identification and Setup","Week 5: Lesson 5: Automatic Gate Mechanisms and Control Circuitry","Week 6: Lesson 6: Flashing Light Assemblies and Auditory Warning Devices","Week 7: Lesson 7: Power Supplies, Batteries, and Charging Systems","Week 8: Hands-on Lab: Performing Pre-Operational Checks and Basic Adjustments","Week 9: Lesson 9: Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques for Warning Systems","Week 10: Lesson 10: Regulatory Compliance and Documentation for Grade Crossings","Week 11: Hands-on Lab: Advanced Fault Diagnosis and Repair Procedures","Week 12: Lesson 12: Communication Protocols and Remote Monitoring Systems","Week 13: Lesson 13: Preventative Maintenance and Longevity Strategies","Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Comprehensive Warning System Inspection and Evaluation"]