What signals must an employee give to pedestrian and highway traffic when providing on-ground warning at a highway crossing?

When providing on-ground warning at a highway crossing, it is essential for the employee to use clear and standardized signals to ensure safety for both pedestrian and highway traffic. The correct approach is to use stop signals with a red flag or fusees during the day, and fusees or a white light at night. This method effectively communicates the need for vehicles and pedestrians to stop and wait, thus minimizing the risk of accidents at potentially dangerous crossing points.

Using a red flag or fusees during daylight ensures high visibility and immediate recognition of the stop signal, while at night, the use of fusees or a white light ensures that the warning is clearly visible in low-light conditions. This combination of signals adheres to safety protocols and provides a clear, recognizable means of communication in varying circumstances.

Other options may not provide adequate warning or clarity for traffic control. For instance, relying solely on verbal commands can lead to misunderstandings, especially in noisy environments, while hand signals may not be effective in all scenarios, particularly with moving vehicles. Using a horn is generally not sufficient as a standalone warning and may not be as visually striking or universally understood as the designated stop signals.