[Title 49 CFR 214.321]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - October 1, 2006 Edition]
[Title 49 - TRANSPORTATION]
[Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued)]
[Chapter II - FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF]
[Part 214 - RAILROAD WORKPLACE SAFETY]
[Subpart C - Roadway Worker Protection]
[Sec. 214.321 - Exclusive track occupancy.]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


49TRANSPORTATION42006-10-012006-10-01false214.321Sec. 214.321TRANSPORTATIONOther Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued)FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OFRAILROAD WORKPLACE SAFETYRoadway Worker Protection
Sec. 214.321  Exclusive track occupancy.

    Working limits established on controlled track through the use of 
exclusive track occupancy procedures shall comply with the following 
requirements:
    (a) The track within working limits shall be placed under the 
control of one roadway worker by either:
    (1) Authority issued to the roadway worker in charge by the train 
dispatcher or control operator who controls train movements on that 
track,
    (2) Flagmen stationed at each entrance to the track within working 
limits and instructed by the roadway worker in charge to permit the 
movement of trains and equipment into the working limits only as 
permitted by the roadway worker in charge, or
    (3) The roadway worker in charge causing fixed signals at each 
entrance to the working limits to display an aspect indicating ``Stop.''
    (b) An authority for exclusive track occupancy given to the roadway 
worker in charge of the working limits shall be transmitted on a written 
or printed document directly, by relay through a designated employee, in 
a data transmission, or by oral communication, to the roadway worker by 
the train dispatcher or control operator in charge of the track.
    (1) Where authority for exclusive track occupancy is transmitted 
orally, the authority shall be written as received by the roadway worker 
in charge and repeated to the issuing employee for verification.
    (2) The roadway worker in charge of the working limits shall 
maintain possession of the written or printed authority for exclusive 
track occupancy while the authority for the working limits is in effect.
    (3) The train dispatcher or control operator in charge of the track 
shall make a written or electronic record of all authorities issued to 
establish exclusive track occupancy.
    (c) The extent of working limits established through exclusive track 
occupancy shall be defined by one of the following physical features 
clearly identifiable to a locomotive engineer or other person operating 
a train or railroad equipment:
    (1) A flagman with instructions and capability to hold all trains 
and equipment clear of the working limits;
    (2) A fixed signal that displays an aspect indicating ``Stop'';
    (3) A station shown in the time-table, and identified by name with a 
sign, beyond which train movement is prohibited by train movement 
authority or the provisions of a direct train control system.
    (4) A clearly identifiable milepost sign beyond which train movement 
is prohibited by train movement authority or the provisions of a direct 
train control system; or
    (5) A clearly identifiable physical location prescribed by the 
operating

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rules of the railroad that trains may not pass without proper authority.
    (d) Movements of trains and roadway maintenance machines within 
working limits established through exclusive track occupancy shall be 
made only under the direction of the roadway worker having control over 
the working limits. Such movements shall be restricted speed unless a 
higher speed has been specifically authorized by the roadway worker in 
charge of the working limits.