16.0 RULES APPLICABLE ONLY IN DIRECT TRAFFIC CONTROL (DTC) LIMITS

16.1 Authority to Enter DTC Limits

The timetable will designate DTC limits. A train may enter DTC block limits only after receiving verbal authority from the train dispatcher. DTC territory will not include territory where Rule 6.13 (Yard Limits) is in effect.

16.2 DTC Block Authority

The train dispatcher will issue DTC block authority to a crew member on the head end of the train when possible. An employee operating the controls of a moving train may not copy DTC block authority.

A. Recorded in Writing

The employee who receives or releases DTC block authority must record it in writing and include the following:

1. Name of each DTC block where authority is issued
2. Time each DTC block authority is issued or the time that work and time expires
3. Identity of the train ahead when DTC block restricted authority is issued
4. Train identity when DTC block authority takes effect after the arrival of that train
5. Time each DTC block is released
6. When a DTC block authority is voided, the word "void" written in the space provided for release time

Each DTC block record must be kept until the block is released, and the engineer and conductor each must have a copy available.

DTC block authority must not be transferred to a relieving crew, unless authorized to do so by the train dispatcher.

When verbal authority is received from the train dispatcher to leave equipment in a DTC block, the train dispatcher may instruct a crew member to void the DTC block authority.

Employees cannot act upon DTC block authority until the train dispatcher says, '(Train), that is correct." B. Multiple Authorities

Not more than one DTC authority may be issued in the same DTC block except:

1. In ABS territory, as provided by Rule 16.3 (Movement in a Specified Direction), authority may be issued to more than one train in the same direction.
2. In non-signaled territory, as provided by Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority).
3. As provided by Rule 16.4 (Work and Time).
4. When directional authority will not take effect until after the arrival of an opposing train. The words "after the arrival of (Train)" must be included in the issuance of the authority.
5. Directional authority may be granted after an opposing train with directional authority has passed the location where movement will enter the DTC block.

16.3 Movement in a Specified Direction

16.3.1 Directional Authority

Issue Format

One or Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue authority and an employee will acknowledge it using the following sample format:

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, you are authorized to proceed Eastward in one block, Anna."

Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, I am authorized to proceed Eastward in one block, Anna."

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."

More than Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue authority in more than two blocks using the following sample format:

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, you are authorized to proceed Eastward in three blocks, Anna through Cloy."

16.3.2 Restricted Authority

In non-signaled territory, the train dispatcher may authorize only one following movement at restricted speed behind a train granted Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority) authority. Authority may be granted after the train dispatcher is assured the train ahead has passed the point where the following movement will enter the DTC block.

A train granted Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) must:

• Proceed at restricted speed until restricted speed requirement is cancelled.
• Not pass the train ahead.

Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) will be issued and acknowledged using the following sample format:

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, you are authorized to proceed Eastward at restricted speed following (train ahead) in one block, Anna."

Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:10 AM, I am authorized to proceed Eastward at restricted speed following (train ahead) in one block, Anna."

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."

When the train ahead has released the DTC block in which Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) has been granted, the train dispatcher may cancel the restricted speed requirement to the following train. C)nce the restricted speed requirement is cancelled, the train will proceed under Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority).

The train dispatcher will cancel the requirement to operate at restricted speed, and the acknowledgment will be made using the following sample format:

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:30 AM, authority in the Anna block is no longer restricted."

Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones at 8:30 AM, authority in the Anna block is no longer restricted."

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."

16.4 Work and Time

A. Issue Requirements Work and time authority may be issued to the following:

1. A train within ABS when:

   a. The block is clear.

    

   or

   b. Authority will not take effect until after the arrival of a train issued Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority) authority.

2. A train in non-signaled territory, if the DTC block is clear.
3. An employee in charge of on-track equipment when:

   The DTC block is clear.

    

   or

   Authority will not take effect until after the arrival of a train issued Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority) authority.

4. More than one train and/or employee in charge of on-track equipment within the same DTC block. The train dispatcher must first inform the employee and/or engineer that the block will be jointly occupied.

A train or on-track equipment issued work and time may occupy the designated block and move in either direction. When the block is jointly occupied, trains must move at restricted speed.

A train or employee in charge of on-track equipment granted work and time after the arrival of a specific train must not pass that train within the same block.

B. Issue Format

One or Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue work and time and an employee will acknowledge it using the following sample format:

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am granting you work and time in one block, Anna, unfil 10:10 AM."

Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am granted work and time in one block, Anna, until 10:10 AM.

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, that is correct."

More than Two Blocks. The train dispatcher will issue authority in more than two blocks using the following sample format:

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am granting you work and time in 3 blocks, Anna through Cloy, until 10:10 AM."

Unless the train and/or employee in charge of on-track equipment receives a time extension, they must clear the block and report "Released" before the time limit expires.

A train dispatcher must not authorize a train to enter a DTC block under Rule 16.3.1 (Directional Authority) until work and time in that block is released. C. Additional Time

Trains or the employee in charge of on-track equipment must release work and time before the time granted expires. If the train or employee in charge requires additional time, the authority must be obtained from the train dispatcher before time expires. If a train crew member or employee in charge is unable to contact the train dispatcher, and the time limit expires, authority is extended until the train dispatcher is contacted.

16.5 Change Authority

When it becomes necessary to change the type of authority previously granted to a train, new authority will be granted in the prescribed manner. After the "(TRAIN ID), that is correct" response is received from the train dispatcher, authority previously granted in each DTC block in which authority was changed becomes void.

16.6 Reverse Movements Within a DTC Block

The train dispatcher must grant permission for all reverse movements within a DTC block. Permission may be granted when:

No following trains have received authority in that block; or, the block is occupied by a following train, and the train dispatcher has verified that the following train has stopped and will remain stopped until movement is complete.

A train or employee in charge of on-track equipment has not received Rule 16.4 (Work and Time) within that block.

16.7 Releasing DTC Block Authority

Unless the train dispatcher specifies otherwise, when a train with directional authority clears a DTC block, an employee will immediately release it to the train dispatcher. The train must not re-enter the DTC block it has been released from.

A. Release Format

One or Two Blocks. An employee will release a DTC block, and the train dispatcher will acknowledge it using the following sample format:

Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am releasing one block Anna."

Train Dispatcher: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, you are releasing one block Anna."

Crew Member: "Train dispatcher, that is correct."

More than Two Blocks. An employee will release more than two blocks using the following sample format:

Crew Member: "7241 East, with Engineer Jones, I am releasing three blocks, Anna through Cloy."

A DTC block is not released until the employee releasing the block reports, "Train dispatcher, that is correct." B. Operating in Non-Signaled or Double Track Territory

In non-signaled or double track territory, a train without a crew member on the rear of the train may release a DTC block only when the complete train is clear of the limits, which is determined by one of the following:

1. The rear of the train has an operating rear-end telemetry device, and the air pressure on the headend device indicates brake pipe continuity.
2. An employee verifies that a marker is on the rear of the train.
3. A crew member can observe the rear car of the train on which the marker has been placed.
4. When a following train with Rule 16.3.2 (Restricted Authority) has reported that the rear of the train ahead is clear of the block.

    

   or

5. A trackside warning detector transmits an axle count for the train, and the axle count duplicates the axle count transmitted by the previous trackside warning detector.

In addition, a train clearing in a siding or other track must comply with requirements outlined in Rule 8.3 (Main Track Switches) before reporting clear of the limits.

16.8 Withdrawing DTC Block Authority

The train dispatcher must notify the engineer before withdrawing previously issued DTC block authority. If a train is not occupying the block or blocks, an employee will release them using the format in Rule 16.7 (Releasing DTC Block Authority).

16.9 Communication Failure

If communication fails, a third party may relay the authority to enter and/or release a DTC block as follows:

• The train dispatcher must transmit the block authority to the third party.
• The third party must repeat it back to the train dispatcher.
• If correct, the train dispatcher will respond, "(Train ID), that is correct" and authorize the third party to transmit the DTC block authority to a crew member.
• The crew member receiving the block authority must repeat it back to the third party.
• If correct, the third party will respond, "(Train ID), that is correct" and inform the train dispatcher that block authority has been relayed correctly.