Communication Protocols Flashcards

According to FRA General Code of Operating Rules, what must a crew member say to officially acknowledge receipt of a Form B track authority?

Answer: Read back the complete authority, then state 'complete'

The crew must read back the entire Form B authority word-for-word and then state 'complete' to confirm the dispatcher's issuance.

What is the FRA-defined purpose of a job briefing before a railroad operation begins?

Answer: To ensure all crew members have a shared understanding of the work plan and hazards

FRA regulations require job briefings to establish a common understanding of tasks, hazards, and responsibilities before work begins.

A dispatcher issues a verbal authority to a crew but forgets to include the track limits. What should the crew do?

Answer: Stop the read-back and request the missing information before accepting the authority

Crews must never accept incomplete track authorities; they must stop the read-back and ask the dispatcher to provide all required elements.

What does 'fouling the track' mean in the context of FRA communication and work zone protection?

Answer: Occupying space close enough to a track that a passing train could cause injury or damage

Fouling the track means a person, equipment, or material is within the clearance envelope where a passing train could make contact.

Under FRA Roadway Worker Protection rules, what communication must a flagman provide before workers may foul a main track?

Answer: Positive communication with all approaching trains and the dispatcher that the track is protected

FRA RWP regulations require the flagman to establish positive communication confirming track protection before any worker fouls the main track.

How should a locomotive engineer respond when the dispatcher says 'disregard last transmission'?

Answer: Acknowledge with 'disregarded' and await a corrected instruction

The engineer must verbally confirm 'disregarded' and then wait for the dispatcher to issue a correct and complete instruction.

When operating under Direct Traffic Control (DTC), what is the communication requirement before entering a DTC block?

Answer: Obtaining verbal permission from the dispatcher and recording the block limits

Under DTC, the crew must contact the dispatcher, receive verbal authority for the specific block, and record those limits before entering.