PTS Basic 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum distance a roadway worker must maintain from the nearest rail to avoid 'fouling the track'?
- 6 feet
- 4 feet (Correct answer)
- 2 feet
- 10 feet
Correct answer: 4 feet
A worker is considered to be fouling the track when within 4 feet of the nearest rail, entering the danger zone where trains and on-track equipment can strike them.
Question 2: Before a Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC) can release a work crew from track authority, the RWIC must confirm that:
- All workers and equipment are clear of the track (Correct answer)
- The train dispatcher has been notified
- Workers have signed out on the job briefing form
- The blue flag has been removed
Correct answer: All workers and equipment are clear of the track
The RWIC must visually or verbally confirm all workers and equipment are clear before releasing track authority to allow train movement.
Question 3: Which type of on-track protection allows a roadway worker to occupy a track based on a train dispatcher's permission within defined time and space limits?
- Lone Worker protection
- Absolute Block
- Time and Space authority (Correct answer)
- Exclusive Track Occupancy (ETO)
Correct answer: Time and Space authority
Time and Space authority grants roadway workers permission to occupy a specific section of track during a defined time window authorized by the train dispatcher.
Question 4: A worker assigned as a flagger must provide a warning to the work crew with enough advance notice so that everyone can:
- Stop working and look at the train
- Clear the track with at least 15 seconds to spare (Correct answer)
- Move at least 50 feet from the track
- Radio the RWIC before the train arrives
Correct answer: Clear the track with at least 15 seconds to spare
A flagger must give sufficient warning so all workers can clear the track and reach a place of safety with at least 15 seconds to spare before the train arrives.
Question 5: When working near multiple tracks, a worker who has cleared one track to allow a train to pass must be alert to:
- Trains on adjacent tracks moving in any direction (Correct answer)
- Only trains approaching from behind
- Only trains moving in the same direction as the cleared train
- Signal indications on the cleared track
Correct answer: Trains on adjacent tracks moving in any direction
Adjacent tracks can carry trains moving in either direction at any time, so workers must remain vigilant on all nearby tracks after clearing one.
Question 6: What information must be included in a job briefing before roadway workers begin track work?
- Type of track authority, limits, hazards, and worker assignments (Correct answer)
- Only the RWIC's contact number and job duration
- Train schedule and track speed only
- Equipment inspection results and material inventory
Correct answer: Type of track authority, limits, hazards, and worker assignments
A proper job briefing must cover the type of on-track protection in use, work limits, known hazards, and each worker's specific role and responsibilities.
Question 7: Under FRA regulations, a roadway worker who is working alone without the ability to detect approaching trains must have:
- Lone Worker protection from the train dispatcher (Correct answer)
- A personal radio tuned to the dispatcher frequency
- Blue flag protection at both ends of the work zone
- A high-visibility vest and hearing protection
Correct answer: Lone Worker protection from the train dispatcher
A lone worker who cannot detect approaching trains must obtain Lone Worker protection, a specific form of track authority, from the train dispatcher before occupying the track.
PTS Basic 2
What is the minimum distance a roadway worker must maintain from the nearest rail to avoid 'fouling the track'?