What governs the action taken when crossing gates are determined to be malfunctioning?

When crossing gates are determined to be malfunctioning, the appropriate action involves conducting a visual safety check. This means that the operator should assess the situation visually to ensure that it is safe to proceed. The visual check includes looking for oncoming trains, assessing the environment for any potential hazards, and determining whether it is safe to cross despite the malfunction.

This approach allows the operator to make a decision based on real-time observations rather than relying solely on malfunctioning equipment. Safety is the primary concern, and a thorough visual inspection can help mitigate risks in a situation where automated systems are not functioning properly.

Other choices may involve aspects of safety and procedure, but they do not directly address the immediate next steps when dealing with a malfunctioning crossing gate like conducting a visual check does. For instance, following posted speed limits does not specifically address the malfunctioning gates, completing a form detailing the failure could be part of documentation but does not solve the immediate safety concern, and engaging emergency procedures immediately could be overly drastic if the situation allows for a safe crossing with proper checks in place.