When auxiliary lights fail while en route, what is the maximum speed a train can travel over public highway crossings?

When auxiliary lights fail while en route, the maximum speed a train can travel over public highway crossings is 20 MPH. This regulation is in place to ensure safety at crossings, as the auxiliary lights are an important feature that assists in signaling the presence of the train to both motorists and pedestrians. Reducing speed to 20 MPH helps mitigate the risk of accidents in situations where visibility and warning are compromised due to the malfunction of these lights.

The choice of 20 MPH is a balance between maintaining operational efficiency and prioritizing safety in potentially hazardous conditions. This speed allows train crews to have better control and reaction time at crossings, which is essential when auxiliary lights are not functioning as intended.