Railway crossingSweden

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Sweden. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


16. Railway crossing

A railway crossing, also called a level crossing or railroad crossing, is a place where a road or path crosses railway tracks at the same level. It may be protected by barriers, warning lights, bells, traffic signs or a combination of these measures.

Road users must approach carefully and never enter when a train is approaching, warning signals are active or the exit is blocked. They should cross promptly and must never stop, wait or become trapped on the tracks.

Railway crossing
Öresundståg train passing through a railway crossing. (Alvesta, Sweden)
Wikimedia.org • AleWi • CC BY-SA
When must drivers stop at a railway level crossing in Sweden?

Do not enter if a train or tram is approaching, a red crossing light is showing, a warning sound is operating, a barrier is lowering, down or rising, or you risk having to stop on the crossing. Stop a safe distance from the crossing and before its signals or barriers. Obey any STOP sign and cross without unnecessary delay when permitted and safe.

🔗 data.riksdagen.se • Sweden, Riksdagen, Traffic Ordinance 1998:1276

Warning for a railway crossing with barriers. Warning for a railway crossing with barriers.

English • Traffic sign A35 • Level crossing with barriers. Indicates a railway or tram crossing with barriers.

Svenska • Vägmärke A35 • Varning för järnvägskorsning med bommar. Märket anger en korsning med järnväg eller spårväg där det finns bommar.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transportstyrelsen.se • Transportstyrelsen • A35 (SV)

SVG source: Government of the Kingdom of Sweden • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing without barriers. Warning for a railway crossing without barriers.

English • Traffic sign A36 • Level crossing without barriers ahead.

Svenska • Vägmärke A36 • Varning för järnvägskorsning utan bommar.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transportstyrelsen.se • Transportstyrelsen • A36 (SV)

SVG source: Government of the Kingdom of Sweden • Public domain • Original revision 2022-03-07. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with one track. Warning for a railway crossing with one track.

English • Traffic sign A39 • Crossbuck. Indicates a railway or tram crossing with one or more tracks. Placed immediately before a level crossing. It may be omitted on a lightly trafficked private road if this does not endanger road safety. It may also be placed at a railway or tram crossing other than a level crossing.

Svenska • Vägmärke A39 • Kryssmärke. Märket anger en korsning med järnväg eller spårväg med ett eller flera spår. Märket är uppsatt omedelbart före en plankorsning. Det behöver inte vara uppsatt vid enskild väg med lite trafik där det kan underlåtas utan fara för trafiksäkerheten. Märket kan även vara uppsatt viden annan korsning med järnväg eller spårväg än en plankorsning.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transportstyrelsen.se • Transportstyrelsen • A39 (SV)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gigillo83 • Public domain • Source revision 2015-08-26. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks. Warning for a railway crossing with two or more tracks.

English • Traffic sign A39 • Crossbuck. Indicates a railway or tram crossing with one or more tracks. Placed immediately before a level crossing. It may be omitted on a lightly trafficked private road if this does not endanger road safety. It may also be placed at a railway or tram crossing other than a level crossing.

Svenska • Vägmärke A39 • Kryssmärke. Märket anger en korsning med järnväg eller spårväg med ett eller flera spår. Märket är uppsatt omedelbart före en plankorsning. Det behöver inte vara uppsatt vid enskild väg med lite trafik där det kan underlåtas utan fara för trafiksäkerheten. Märket kan även vara uppsatt viden annan korsning med järnväg eller spårväg än en plankorsning.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Transportstyrelsen.se • Transportstyrelsen • A39 (SV)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Gigillo83 • Public domain • Source revision 2015-08-26. Wikimedia original unmodified.

Must I stop at every unguarded railway crossing in Sweden?

The Traffic Ordinance does not require a stop merely because a crossing has no barriers. Approach with special care and at a speed that lets you stop before it. Stop if required by a STOP sign, approaching rail traffic, active warnings or a risk of being unable to clear the crossing.

🔗 data.riksdagen.se • Sweden, Riksdagen, Traffic Ordinance 1998:1276

What if road traffic is queued beyond a railway crossing in Sweden?

Wait before the tracks until there is room to take your entire vehicle off the crossing. Do not follow another vehicle onto the tracks without checking the exit. Keep the tracks clear even if no train is visible.

🔗 data.riksdagen.se • Sweden, Riksdagen, Traffic Ordinance 1998:1276

1 Sweden 2 Motorway 3 Residential area 4 Built-up area 5 Speed limit 6 Bike path 7 Shared-use path 8 Toll road 9 Quay 10 Slope 11 Bus stop 12 Stop sign 13 Give way 14 Roundabout 15 Pedestrian crossing 16 Railway crossing 17 Crossing animals 18 Roadworks 19 Height limit 20 Selective barriers 21 Traffic lights 22 Pedestrian lights 23 Traffic mirror 24 Cycling route 25 Parking 26 No parking 27 No stopping 28 Reversing 29 Licence plate 30 Charging station 31 Dangers 32 Bus 33 Police 34 Ambulance 35 European emission standard 36 Pothole 37 Path 38 Particulates 39 Air pollution 40 Rush hour 41 Road code 42 2+1 Road 43 2-1 Road 44 Street gutter 45 Cargo bike 46 Forestry vehicle 47 Construction vehicle 48 Semi-trailer truck 49 Trolleybus 50 Speed pedelec 51 Delivery vehicle 52 Idling 53 Tow truck 54 Four-wheel drive 55 Bicycle 56 Motorcycle equipment 57 Rail track 58 Caravan 59 Trailer 60 Tow hitch 61 Fire truck 62 Siren 63 Convoy 64 Emergency vehicle lighting 65 Agricultural machinery 66 Electric bicycle 67 Electric vehicle 68 Pedelec 69 Quadricycle 70 Microcar 71 All-terrain vehicle 72 Van 73 Recreational vehicle 74 Scooter 75 Trikke 76 Personal mobility device 77 Skateboard 78 Segway 79 Kick scooter 80 Roller skates 81 Mailman 82 Hitchhiker 83 Toddler 84 Child 85 Disability 86 Motorail 87 km/h 88 mph 89 Speedometer 90 Ride height 91 Dirt road 92 Driving 93 Start-stop system 94 Manual transmission 95 Automatic transmission 96 Throttle 97 Tachometer 98 Steering wheel 99 Power steering 100 Visual scanning ...