33.1.19. Which of the depicted road signs is installed before a level crossing without a barrier?
UAЯкий із зображених дорожніх знаків встановлюється перед залізничним переїздом без шлагбаума?
This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns warning road signs and traffic safety near railway infrastructure. Recognizing signs that provide advance notice of hazardous areas is critically important for a driver both in the theoretical exam and in real-life conditions: a railway crossing requires increased attention, choosing a safe speed, and readiness to stop.
This checks knowledge of section 33 of the Traffic Rules, specifically group 1 "Warning signs" and the differences between signs 1.27 "Railway crossing with a barrier" and 1.28 "Railway crossing without a barrier." The correct answer should be sign 1.28: it depicts a train but does not have the barrier element associated with a gate. According to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine, this sign is installed in advance (usually 150–300 m outside populated areas and 50–100 m within populated areas) and, if necessary, with plate 7.1.1 to specify the distance.
To briefly analyze the options: signs related to a tram track or a tunnel do not concern a railway crossing and therefore cannot be correct. Of the two "railway" signs, the one with the barrier symbol corresponds to a crossing with a barrier (1.27), while the sign without the "bar" warns of a crossing without a barrier (1.28)—this is the one you need to recognize in this task to act correctly before an uncontrolled crossing and avoid a dangerous situation.
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 1 "Warning Signs", sign 1.28 "Railway Crossing without a Barrier"
"Sign 1.28 'Railway Crossing without a Barrier' is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150—300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50—100 m before the start of the dangerous section. If necessary, the sign may also be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 'Distance to the Object'. Outside populated areas, the sign is repeated. The next sign is installed at a distance of at least 50 m before the start of the dangerous section."
(Application: this particular warning sign identifies the approach to a railway crossing that is not equipped with a barrier — that is, this is the one to select in the question.)
Clause 33.1 — 33 "Road Signs", 1 "Warning Signs", sign 1.27 "Railway Crossing with a Barrier"
"Sign 1.27 'Railway Crossing with a Barrier' is installed outside populated areas at a distance of 150—300 m, in populated areas — at a distance of 50—100 m before the start of the dangerous section. If necessary, the sign may also be installed at another distance, which is indicated on plate 7.1.1 'Distance to the Object'. Outside populated areas, the sign is repeated. The next sign is installed at a distance of at least 50 m before the start of the dangerous section."
(Application: this clause is needed to distinguish similar signs — 'with a barrier' and 'without a barrier', which is what is being tested.)
That is, the correct answer is "Sign 4.", given that according to the definition of the Traffic Rules, sign 1.28 indicates the approach to a railway crossing without a barrier (unlike sign 1.27, which warns of a crossing with a barrier).
In this question, you need to determine which warning sign specifically indicates the approach to a railway crossing without a barrier. According to the Traffic Rules of Ukraine (section 33), sign 1.28 “Railway crossing without a barrier” is used for this purpose.
When considering the depicted options, first eliminate those that are not related to railways: the “Tramway crossing” sign warns about tram tracks, and the “Tunnel” sign warns about the approach to a tunnel. They cannot be the answer, as they do not indicate a railway crossing.
Next, two signs remain that are related to a railway crossing. Here, it is convenient to use a simple association: if the sign has an element of a barrier (like a gate), this indicates a crossing with a barrier (sign 1.27). If only a train is depicted and there is no “bar,” this means the crossing is not equipped with a barrier, i.e., it is sign 1.28.
That is why the correct option is the one where there is no barrier depicted, but an open crossing with a train is shown. This is the warning for a crossing without a barrier.
Therefore, the correct answer is “Sign 4.”, as it corresponds to sign 1.28 “Railway crossing without a barrier” and does not have a barrier (gate) symbol.