Practices for Wayside Rail Transit Worker Protection (2012)

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54 Adjacent tracks—Two or more tracks with track centers spaced less than 25 ft apart. Approach end—Direction from which trains will come toward a work zone, toward employees walking along the track, or entering a station in normal direction of travel. Automatic Train Protection (ATP)—System that continuously displays the maximum authorized speed, actual speed, and operating mode, and enforces compliance with the speed by an audible warning and an application of the brakes if the speed is exceeded. Block—Length of track with defined limits, on which train movements are governed by an automatic block signal system or by instruction of the Control Center. Clear of all mainline tracks—Distance of not less than 7.5 ft outside the rail (10 ft from the centerline) of all mainline tracks, unless track center spacing is 25 ft or more. Controlled point—Location at which signals are controlled automatically or manually. Controlled track—Track upon which a railroad’s operating rules require that all movements of employees, roadway maintenance machines, equipment, and trains must be authorized by the Rail Control Center. Crossover—Switches and tracks arranged to provide a route from one track to another. Devil strip—Narrow area between opposite direction tracks where there are no pillars or center bench. Emergency stop—Button that activates track brakes, emer- gency friction brakes, and track sanding to bring the rail vehicle to a quick, irretrievable stop. Equipment—Any machinery that is utilized on the track, highway, or elsewhere. Exclusive track occupancy—Method of establishing working limits on controlled track in which the authority to move trains and other equipment is transferred by Light Rail Control to the on-site coordinator. Fixed signal—Signal of fixed location along the track indicat- ing a condition affecting the movement of a train. May be a block signal, speed limit sign, slow zone disc, or any other type of signal. Flagger or flagperson—Person dedicated to protecting work crews by watching for oncoming vehicles and following prescribed procedures to assure that vehicles do not enter work areas until all workers are off the ROW. Flaggers are in charge of assuring safe passage of vehicles past work sites. Foul time—Method of establishing working limits on con- trolled track, in accordance with Roadway Worker Protection Rules, in which a roadway worker is notified by the Rail Control Center that no trains will operate within a specific segment of controlled track until the roadway worker reports clear of the track. Fouling a track—Placement of an individual or equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a moving train or on-track equipment. High-rail vehicle—Truck or automobile with retractable flanged wheels that permit it to be used on either roads or tracks. Inaccessible track—Method of establishing working limits on non-controlled track by physically preventing entry and movement of trains and equipment. Individual train detection—Procedure that permits a lone worker to acquire on-track safety by seeing approaching trains and leaving the track 15 s before a rail vehicle or track maintenance machine arrives. Interlocking—Arrangement of signals and signal appliances interconnected so that their movements must succeed each other in a prearranged sequence. Permits vehicles to pass safely from single track to double track and vice versa. Job/site briefing—Discussion conducted with a work crew prior to the start of work on the ROW that includes infor- mation on the means by which on-track safety is to be provided, and instruction on the safety procedures to be followed. Light rail vehicle—Transit vehicle with AC propulsion utilized for transportation of patrons. Locomotive—One or more units propelled by any form of energy, operated from a single control, and used in train or yard service. Lone worker—Individual worker who is not being afforded on-track safety protection by another worker, is not a member of a work crew, and is not engaged in a common task with another worker. Mainline track—Track where scheduled trains are operated. Niche—Indentation in a tunnel sidewall that provides a safe haven for authorized personnel working on the right of way to ensure clearance of oncoming vehicle traffic. Non-controlled track—Track upon which employees, trains and roadway maintenance machines and equipment are permitted to move without receiving authorization from Rail Control Center. On-site coordinator—Trained and qualified employee who communicates with the Rail Control Center and designates the working limits, type of on-track safety to be used, and assigning and positioning of work crew, flaggers, and watchpersons/lookouts. The on-site coordinator conducts the job briefing before any roadway worker fouls the track. Open cut sections—Sections of subway or light rail track area that are not in a tunnel. Out of service (track)—Section of track that is not safe for operation, or is restricted from use as a result of maintenance. Personal protective equipment (PPE)—Clothing, equipment, and accessories designed to provide a barrier against workplace hazards. When used properly, protects workers against known hazards. Portable train/trip stop—Device that attaches to rails that will cause the train to enter emergency brake mode in the event that an operator fails to obey the signal system or flagger. GLOSSARY

55 Qualified employee—Person who has been formally tested and approved within the length of time required for a specific purpose by an authorized representative of the employer. Regular train—Train designated by schedule. Restricted speed track areas—Area in which subway/light rail vehicles are required to reduce speed. Under normal circumstances there are no workers in the area unless a “walking inspection” has been granted. Right-of-way—mixed street—Trackway located in a street lane that is reserved for the use of trains. Motor vehicles may use the trackway lane when necessary to pass an obstruction. Right-of-way—private—Trackway reserved for the exclusive use of trains, which may include grade crossings. Roadway worker—Employee or contractor performing job functions on a railroad’s ROW. Also referred to as railway worker, railroad worker, and track worker. Roadway Worker Protection Manual—Rules and instruc- tions issued in a book under this title containing safety and operating rules to define the responsibilities of on-track workers and procedures for protecting them. Running rails—Rails comprising the track upon which a train moves. Signals—Illuminated colored aspects (or lights) that give information to the operator about speed, routing, and train operations. Signal violation—Occurs when a subway or light rail vehicle operator does not obey a restrictive signal. This may involve a signal train stop contact or the front of the subway vehicle going past the signal without tripping. Subway vehicle—Passenger trains, work car vehicles, or any other vehicle that operates in the subway system. Third rail—Energized rail, the source of 600 V of electricity that power rail transit vehicles. Track—Space between the rails and a space of not less than 7.5 ft outside each rail (10 ft from the centerline). Track equipment—Self-propelled or other equipment or machinery when used on the track. Track level—Any location off the station platform, past the end gate, wall to wall (any part of the tunnel structure), fence to fence (any property between the fences in an open cut area), or any catwalk not protected by a yellow railing. Track switch—Device used to divert vehicles from one track to another. Traction power—Electrical power that makes subway and light rail vehicles move. Supplied through the traction power rail(s). When traction power is on, the traction power rail(s) are “live.” Traction power interruption—May occur because power has been cut at an emergency alarm station or because some- thing is wrong with the electrical supply. When traction power is off, the traction power rail(s) should still be treated as if they were live. Train operator—Employee who controls the movement of the train. Trip/train stop—System of on-board and wayside equipment that automatically stops a rail vehicle when a stop signal is passed. Warning device—Cone, flag, lantern, strobe light, flashing light, or other device, which has been approved by an agency, that warns vehicle operators that they are approach- ing personnel on or near the right of way. Watchperson/lookout—Employee who has been annually trained and qualified to provide warning to roadway workers of approaching trains or on-track equipment. Should be properly equipped to provide visual and auditory warning, with whistle, air horn, white disc, red flag, lantern, or fuse. Sole duty is to look out for approaching trains and on-track equipment and provide at least 15 s advanced warning to employees. Work area—Part of a work zone where work is being done. Work crew—Group of two or more individuals working as part of a team within a specified work zone. Work zone—Area identified with lights or track level warning devices signifying employees working at track level. Yard—System of tracks used for the making up of trains and storing of cars, upon which movements must be made in yard mode, at yard speed, subject to applicable rules and special instructions. Yard area—Area where trains are stored, repaired, or main- tained. Yard tracks—All tracks used for car storage, repair, or other purposes.