At certain grade crossings with variable traffic flow conditions, TMUTCD Section 8D.12 allows a variable-mode (hybrid) or non-actuated queue cutter traffic signal operation to be used in which the queue cutter traffic signal at the grade crossing may act as a pre-signal in conjunction with the downstream traffic signal during certain hours of the day, but operate independently as a queue cutter otherwise. The queue cutter traffic signal and intersection traffic signal should have separate traffic signal controllers with the queue cutter traffic signal interconnected to the railroad signal system.

For the hybrid function, the queue cutter operation is synchronized with the downstream traffic signal to optimize vehicle flow while maintaining queue prevention at the grade crossing at all times. The green signal indication at the queue cutter traffic signal should coordinate with the green indication of the downstream traffic signal to minimize stopping between the two signals while allowing for some storage between the grade crossing and the downstream intersection.