Amtrak RWP Definitions UPDATED Exam
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Adjacent Tracks - CORRECT ANSWER - A controlled or non-controlled track whose track
center is spaced less than 25 feet from the track center of the occupied track.
Control Operator - CORRECT ANSWER - The railroad employee in charge of a remotely
controlled switch or derail, an interlocking, a controlled point, or a segment of controlled track.
Includes job titles such as Train Dispatcher, Train Director, Block Operator, etc.
Controlled Track - CORRECT ANSWER - Track upon which the railroad's operating rules
require that all movements of trains must be authorized by a train dispatcher or a control
operator.
Effective Securing Device - CORRECT ANSWER - A vandal and tamper resistant lock,
keyed for application and removal only by the roadway worker(s) for whom the protection is
provided
Employee in Charge (EIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - An employee responsible for a work
group under the overarching authority of the Roadway Worker in Charge
Exclusive Track Occupancy - CORRECT ANSWER - A method of establishing Working
Limits on Controlled Track in which movement authority is withheld or restricted by the Train
Dispatcher or Block Operator, or one or more approaches to the Working Limits are protected by
Flagman.
Flagman - CORRECT ANSWER - When used in relation with roadway worker safety, an
employee assigned to direct or restrict the movement of trains past a point on a track to provide
on-track safety for roadway workers, while engaged solely in performing that function.
Foul Time - CORRECT ANSWER - A method of establishing working limits on controlled
track in which a roadway worker is notified by the control operator that no train will operate
within a specific segment of controlled track until the roadway worker reports clear of the track.
, Fouling a Track - CORRECT ANSWER - The placement of an individual or item of
equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a
moving train or on-track equipment, or in any case is within four feet of the field side of the near
running rail. Locations specifically engineered to provide protection from moving trains or on-
track equipment may encroach into the four foot envelope and still not be considered fouling.
These locations are designated as clearing bays.
Gang Watchman/ Advanced Watchmen - CORRECT ANSWER - An employee who is
qualified to provide warning to roadway workers of approaching trains or on track equipment.
Inaccessible Track - CORRECT ANSWER - a method of establishing working limits on a
non-controlled track by physically preventing the entry and movement of trains and equipment.
Job Briefing - CORRECT ANSWER - A meeting conducted prior to going to work. During
the job briefing, the work unit meets to discuss all aspects of the work to be performed and any
safety related concerns. Anyone can conduct a job briefing.
Lone Worker - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual roadway worker who is not being
afforded on-track safety by another roadway worker, who is not a member of a roadway work
group, and who is not engaged in a common task with another roadway worker.
Occupied Track - CORRECT ANSWER - A track on which on-track, self-propelled
equipment or coupled equipment is authorized or permitted to be located while engaged in a
common task with a roadway work group with at least one of the roadway workers on the
ground.
On Track Safety Briefing - CORRECT ANSWER - Briefing conducted to explain the type of
on-track protection afforded to employees when on-track protection is required. Must be
conducted and documented by the RWIC.
Roadway Maintenance Machine (RMM) - CORRECT ANSWER - A device powered by any
means of energy other than hand power which is being used on or near railroad track for
maintenance, repair, construction or inspection of track, bridges, roadway, signal,
Questions and CORRECT Answers
Adjacent Tracks - CORRECT ANSWER - A controlled or non-controlled track whose track
center is spaced less than 25 feet from the track center of the occupied track.
Control Operator - CORRECT ANSWER - The railroad employee in charge of a remotely
controlled switch or derail, an interlocking, a controlled point, or a segment of controlled track.
Includes job titles such as Train Dispatcher, Train Director, Block Operator, etc.
Controlled Track - CORRECT ANSWER - Track upon which the railroad's operating rules
require that all movements of trains must be authorized by a train dispatcher or a control
operator.
Effective Securing Device - CORRECT ANSWER - A vandal and tamper resistant lock,
keyed for application and removal only by the roadway worker(s) for whom the protection is
provided
Employee in Charge (EIC) - CORRECT ANSWER - An employee responsible for a work
group under the overarching authority of the Roadway Worker in Charge
Exclusive Track Occupancy - CORRECT ANSWER - A method of establishing Working
Limits on Controlled Track in which movement authority is withheld or restricted by the Train
Dispatcher or Block Operator, or one or more approaches to the Working Limits are protected by
Flagman.
Flagman - CORRECT ANSWER - When used in relation with roadway worker safety, an
employee assigned to direct or restrict the movement of trains past a point on a track to provide
on-track safety for roadway workers, while engaged solely in performing that function.
Foul Time - CORRECT ANSWER - A method of establishing working limits on controlled
track in which a roadway worker is notified by the control operator that no train will operate
within a specific segment of controlled track until the roadway worker reports clear of the track.
, Fouling a Track - CORRECT ANSWER - The placement of an individual or item of
equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a
moving train or on-track equipment, or in any case is within four feet of the field side of the near
running rail. Locations specifically engineered to provide protection from moving trains or on-
track equipment may encroach into the four foot envelope and still not be considered fouling.
These locations are designated as clearing bays.
Gang Watchman/ Advanced Watchmen - CORRECT ANSWER - An employee who is
qualified to provide warning to roadway workers of approaching trains or on track equipment.
Inaccessible Track - CORRECT ANSWER - a method of establishing working limits on a
non-controlled track by physically preventing the entry and movement of trains and equipment.
Job Briefing - CORRECT ANSWER - A meeting conducted prior to going to work. During
the job briefing, the work unit meets to discuss all aspects of the work to be performed and any
safety related concerns. Anyone can conduct a job briefing.
Lone Worker - CORRECT ANSWER - An individual roadway worker who is not being
afforded on-track safety by another roadway worker, who is not a member of a roadway work
group, and who is not engaged in a common task with another roadway worker.
Occupied Track - CORRECT ANSWER - A track on which on-track, self-propelled
equipment or coupled equipment is authorized or permitted to be located while engaged in a
common task with a roadway work group with at least one of the roadway workers on the
ground.
On Track Safety Briefing - CORRECT ANSWER - Briefing conducted to explain the type of
on-track protection afforded to employees when on-track protection is required. Must be
conducted and documented by the RWIC.
Roadway Maintenance Machine (RMM) - CORRECT ANSWER - A device powered by any
means of energy other than hand power which is being used on or near railroad track for
maintenance, repair, construction or inspection of track, bridges, roadway, signal,
