PATH Exam Study Questions with
Complete Solutions32
CBTC is called "communication-based" because? - ANSWERS-Trains and wayside computers
communicate with each other by means of a data radio link.
ATC-equipped trains are localized using? - ANSWERS-Data read from wayside transponders
What is a part of the localization process? - ANSWERS-The car-borne ATC equipment determines
the length of the train, the car-borne ATC's train length is equal to or greater than the length
reported by the PA-5 rolling stock, and the train engineer confirms the length of the train
What does it mean when the front end of a train is sieved? - ANSWERS-The Zone Controller has
determined that there is nothing between the front of the train and the next track circuit
boundary.
When an ATC-equipped train is following a non-ATC train, the ATC train's MAL will generally
reflect? - ANSWERS-The entering end of the track circuit in approach to the track circuit
occupied by the non-ATC train
An ATC train is rounding a curve. There are no trains ahead, no wayside signals in the area, and
no temporary speed limits in effect. The limits of the train's maximum allowable speed are? -
ANSWERS-The speed limit from the car-borne map.
What is the allowable speed for passing a flashing green or flashing yellow ATC signal? -
ANSWERS-As displayed on the TOD
,When walking in the track area, employees must not walk or step on? - ANSWERS-Running rails,
train stops, transponders
What function of the ATC car-borne equipment is verified in the Daily Test? - ANSWERS-
Triggering an emergency brake application
Which of the following is not included on the speed dial? - ANSWERS-A service brake application
triggered by the car-borne ATC
Q: When the speed is in the yellow zone of the speed dial: - ANSWERS-The train engineer must
apply service braking to slow the train.
When the station dwell time reading is displayed in green reading ":07" it means: - ANSWERS-
The train should depart in 7 seconds
IF the "ATC Failure" indication appears, and no other disruption to operation is noted, the train
engineer should: - ANSWERS-Immediately inform the trainmaster and follow his/her
instructions.
When a triangle appears alongside the MAL bar, which of these is present at the location
indicated by the triangle? - ANSWERS-Beginning of a slow speed order or work zone
A MAL bar with green and yellow sections means that: - ANSWERS-The training is being routed
out of CBTC Mainline territory
Which of the following is not a possible operating route in CBTC mainline territory? - ANSWERS-
Wayside
What position of the ATC Mode switch is used when transitioning between territory types? -
ANSWERS-MCS
,As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later, you
encounter two yellow flags but no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the CBTC TOD.
What is your best course of action? - ANSWERS-Stay in MCS mode, proceed as appropriate for
the flagging arrangement, advise Control Center of the flags.
When a train enters yard territory from CBTC mainline territory, when does the operating mode
change? - ANSWERS-When the front of the train enters yard territory
If a train is in motion, only the following mode change is acceptable: - ANSWERS-Release to MCS
ATC Bypass mode is? - ANSWERS-In bypass mode, the maximum allowable train speed is 40
mph
Which of the following will not trigger an emergency brake application? - ANSWERS-Traversing a
failed track circuit in release mode.
Which of these statements about yard mode operation is true? - ANSWERS-ATC enforces a
12mph speed limit, but the train engineer is responsible for complying with any other
restrictions.
Which of the following are positions of the ATC mode switch? - ANSWERS-MATC, MCS, Release
What will happen if MATC mode is selected on the ATC Mode switch while the train is in motion
operating in MCS? - ANSWERS-The train stops with an emergency brake application
What is the normal position of the ATC Mode switch while in yard territory? - ANSWERS-MCS
, When a call-on (restricting signal aspect) is displayed at an interlocking signal in CBTC mainline
territory, what ATC mode enable the train to pass it? - ANSWERS-Release
Which of the following conditions would result in the TOD indicating an 'unknown" operating
mode? - ANSWERS-The ATC car-borne equipment has completely failed
As a train engineer, on inspecting the ATC Bypass switch when preparing a train for service, you
find the seal is missing. What should you do? - ANSWERS-Inform the trainmaster (or yard
foreman) that the seal is missing.
What must the train engineer do upon leaving CBTC mainline territory? - ANSWERS-
Acknowledge the territory and operate normally for the territory you are entering.
What circumstances might require starting a train movement in release mode? - ANSWERS-The
train is stored on the same track and within 50 feet of another train in CBTC mainline territory
As a train engineer operating in MATC mode, you arrive in a station where a CBTC train hold is in
effect. After some delay, the trainmaster directs you via voice radio to depart, even though the
train hold is in effect. What should you do? - ANSWERS-Select MCS mode, touch the "hold"
indication on the TOD, and depart from the station in MCS
The best strategy for operating a train in MCS mode? - ANSWERS-Learn each section of the road
thoroughly so that you can anticipate exactly the speed profiles under CBTC operation. This way,
you can keep out of the yellow zone. Also be ready to slow down as you approach the end of a
MAL and use the CBTC audible alert to decide exactly when to begin braking.
What position of the ATC mode switch is used when transitioning between territory types? -
ANSWERS-MCS
As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later, you
encounter two yellow flags no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the CBTC TOD.
Complete Solutions32
CBTC is called "communication-based" because? - ANSWERS-Trains and wayside computers
communicate with each other by means of a data radio link.
ATC-equipped trains are localized using? - ANSWERS-Data read from wayside transponders
What is a part of the localization process? - ANSWERS-The car-borne ATC equipment determines
the length of the train, the car-borne ATC's train length is equal to or greater than the length
reported by the PA-5 rolling stock, and the train engineer confirms the length of the train
What does it mean when the front end of a train is sieved? - ANSWERS-The Zone Controller has
determined that there is nothing between the front of the train and the next track circuit
boundary.
When an ATC-equipped train is following a non-ATC train, the ATC train's MAL will generally
reflect? - ANSWERS-The entering end of the track circuit in approach to the track circuit
occupied by the non-ATC train
An ATC train is rounding a curve. There are no trains ahead, no wayside signals in the area, and
no temporary speed limits in effect. The limits of the train's maximum allowable speed are? -
ANSWERS-The speed limit from the car-borne map.
What is the allowable speed for passing a flashing green or flashing yellow ATC signal? -
ANSWERS-As displayed on the TOD
,When walking in the track area, employees must not walk or step on? - ANSWERS-Running rails,
train stops, transponders
What function of the ATC car-borne equipment is verified in the Daily Test? - ANSWERS-
Triggering an emergency brake application
Which of the following is not included on the speed dial? - ANSWERS-A service brake application
triggered by the car-borne ATC
Q: When the speed is in the yellow zone of the speed dial: - ANSWERS-The train engineer must
apply service braking to slow the train.
When the station dwell time reading is displayed in green reading ":07" it means: - ANSWERS-
The train should depart in 7 seconds
IF the "ATC Failure" indication appears, and no other disruption to operation is noted, the train
engineer should: - ANSWERS-Immediately inform the trainmaster and follow his/her
instructions.
When a triangle appears alongside the MAL bar, which of these is present at the location
indicated by the triangle? - ANSWERS-Beginning of a slow speed order or work zone
A MAL bar with green and yellow sections means that: - ANSWERS-The training is being routed
out of CBTC Mainline territory
Which of the following is not a possible operating route in CBTC mainline territory? - ANSWERS-
Wayside
What position of the ATC Mode switch is used when transitioning between territory types? -
ANSWERS-MCS
,As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later, you
encounter two yellow flags but no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the CBTC TOD.
What is your best course of action? - ANSWERS-Stay in MCS mode, proceed as appropriate for
the flagging arrangement, advise Control Center of the flags.
When a train enters yard territory from CBTC mainline territory, when does the operating mode
change? - ANSWERS-When the front of the train enters yard territory
If a train is in motion, only the following mode change is acceptable: - ANSWERS-Release to MCS
ATC Bypass mode is? - ANSWERS-In bypass mode, the maximum allowable train speed is 40
mph
Which of the following will not trigger an emergency brake application? - ANSWERS-Traversing a
failed track circuit in release mode.
Which of these statements about yard mode operation is true? - ANSWERS-ATC enforces a
12mph speed limit, but the train engineer is responsible for complying with any other
restrictions.
Which of the following are positions of the ATC mode switch? - ANSWERS-MATC, MCS, Release
What will happen if MATC mode is selected on the ATC Mode switch while the train is in motion
operating in MCS? - ANSWERS-The train stops with an emergency brake application
What is the normal position of the ATC Mode switch while in yard territory? - ANSWERS-MCS
, When a call-on (restricting signal aspect) is displayed at an interlocking signal in CBTC mainline
territory, what ATC mode enable the train to pass it? - ANSWERS-Release
Which of the following conditions would result in the TOD indicating an 'unknown" operating
mode? - ANSWERS-The ATC car-borne equipment has completely failed
As a train engineer, on inspecting the ATC Bypass switch when preparing a train for service, you
find the seal is missing. What should you do? - ANSWERS-Inform the trainmaster (or yard
foreman) that the seal is missing.
What must the train engineer do upon leaving CBTC mainline territory? - ANSWERS-
Acknowledge the territory and operate normally for the territory you are entering.
What circumstances might require starting a train movement in release mode? - ANSWERS-The
train is stored on the same track and within 50 feet of another train in CBTC mainline territory
As a train engineer operating in MATC mode, you arrive in a station where a CBTC train hold is in
effect. After some delay, the trainmaster directs you via voice radio to depart, even though the
train hold is in effect. What should you do? - ANSWERS-Select MCS mode, touch the "hold"
indication on the TOD, and depart from the station in MCS
The best strategy for operating a train in MCS mode? - ANSWERS-Learn each section of the road
thoroughly so that you can anticipate exactly the speed profiles under CBTC operation. This way,
you can keep out of the yellow zone. Also be ready to slow down as you approach the end of a
MAL and use the CBTC audible alert to decide exactly when to begin braking.
What position of the ATC mode switch is used when transitioning between territory types? -
ANSWERS-MCS
As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later, you
encounter two yellow flags no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the CBTC TOD.
