FSD and Railroad Crossings

[boley]

I've been suspicious that FSD would have problems at railroad crossings if it was the first vehicle to approach a crossing with the bar down and lights flashing. My suspicions came from the misidentification of train cars as trucks and SUVs and not visualizing the RR traffic control. (Yes, I know UI visualizations and FSD are not closely connected, but it still sets off warnings in my mind.)
Well, this morning it was put to the test as FSD almost drove through the crossing gate. Granted the gate was in the process of lowering as we turned on to the road, but the lights were flashing the bells clanging, a train was no more than 100 ft away in full view (moving slowly) and the gate came completely down a car length or two before we reached it. I let it approach within a half car length, before I slammed on brakes. It was speeding up not slowing down. For some reason it never takes this crossing slowly but speeds up after making the turn on to the road. (The RR crossing is about 6 car lengths from the start of the road.) Interestingly, usually the dialog "What went wrong?" pops up and I send an audible message when I take control like this. But in this case there was no opportunity to report, kind of like at the end of a trip, when you take over because it doesn't know where to park or it makes a failed attempt to turn into a drive way. Is this because they know it fails at certain circumstances and they don't need an explanation?

Has anyone else tested RR crossings where they are the first vehicle?

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[CyberGus]

It's a Cybertruck. The train should be afraid.

 

[espresso-drumbeat]

I cross rail road multiple times per day, various configuration, some with gates some without, many times being the first and never encountered this. I find FSD is pretty good even judging the space AFTER the crossing and if not enough space to completely clear the rails, it waits before crossing the rail road until the space clears up.

 

[boley]

Maybe it was a fluke because it turned on to the road as the gate was lowering. I usually turn the other way to avoid the crossing if I see a train is coming or the gate is closing. I may see if I can actively seek out another test. My office is just across the tracks, so if I don't avoid going in that direction and no one gets there first, I should be able to test it from the opposite direction at least. A coming to work direction test might not happen again for another 8 months.

 

[eser50]

I cross a railroad 3 times a week. It's a weird intersection where I make a left hand turn into another intersection and cross over tracks before a right hand turn.

Yesterday the train's gates were already down before my truck took a left and it would've blown past the gates if I didn't stop it. It was still accelerating when I stepped on the brakes and stopped too close for comfort.

 

[boley]

I cross a railroad 3 times a week. It's a weird intersection where I make a left hand turn into another intersection and cross over tracks before a right hand turn.

Yesterday the train's gates were already down before my truck took a left and it would've blown past the gates if I didn't stop it. It was still accelerating when I stepped on the brakes and stopped too close for comfort.

Nice illustration. This is what my case looks like.

 

[eser50]

Nice illustration. This is what my case looks like.

I've noticed FSD (on both my HW3 S and HW4 CT) doesn't handle stops well if they're immediately after a turn. Going into my neighborhood was always a gamble on HW3 with wether it would stop for the intersection. HW4 stops more reliably, but not 100% of the time.

 

[Oscar]

I've noticed FSD (on both my HW3 S and HW4 CT) doesn't handle stops well if they're immediately after a turn. Going into my neighborhood was always a gamble on HW3 with wether it would stop for the intersection. HW4 stops more reliably, but not 100% of the time.

Guess FSD takes time to respond?

 

[eser50]

Guess FSD takes time to respond?

If that's the case, then it completely discredits any of those split second "FSD SAVED MY LIFE!" folks.
I'm kind of curious to know how it would handle this type of scenario with a pedestrian there.

Granted, I believe FSD is a lot more careful with pedestrians than it is with stop signs, but stop signs also save you from hitting someone or getting hit.

 

[JohnGalt]

This has happened to me at least 4 times. It is crazy that this keeps happening. I have reported each incident since I have to take over the FSD. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

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