How many feet of stopping distance does a freight train require at 30 mph?

A freight train requires approximately 3,150 feet of stopping distance at a speed of 30 mph due to its immense weight and the laws of physics that govern the motion of large objects. When a train is in motion, its kinetic energy is considerably greater than that of smaller vehicles, meaning it takes much longer to come to a complete stop.

The stopping distance for trains is significantly influenced by factors such as the type of brake system used, the track conditions, and the weight of the train. Trains cannot stop on a dime like passenger vehicles; they need much more room to halt safely. Understanding this stopping distance is critical, especially in contexts like approaching railroad crossings, where the risk of collisions can be mitigated by knowing how long it may take a train to stop.

The other distances provided in the choices represent calculations that are beyond the realistic stopping distance for a freight train at that speed, making them less applicable in this context.