Courseware Crunch Flashcards
Define Fatigue.
Fatigue is a state of impairment that results in:
- Reduced alertness and mental performance
- Reduced physical performance
- Reduced ability to carry out tasks safely and effectively
When can you be tested for drugs and alcohol?
- Randomly
- ‘Show Cause’ ( having reasonable suspicion)
- Within 3 hours of an accident/incident
What must your blood alcohol level be for work?
0.00
List all mandatory PPE that must be worn when undertaking maintenance or construction work in the rail corridor/sidings.
- High Vis Vest
- Steel capped boots
- Hard hat
- Eye protection
- Long sleeve shirt
- Full length trousers
When are headlamps mandatory to be worn?
- When working in the MURL at all times
- When working in the rail corridor at night
What colour items/clothing cannot be taken into the rail corridor?
Red, Green or Yellow
What is safety critical communication?
Any communication that if not delivered or not delivered accurately/promptly, could result in death, serious injury or incur significant damage to property, infrastructure or the environment.
What are the ABC’s of safety critical communication?
Accurate, Brief, Clear
What 3 things must safety critical communications be?
- ABC - Accurate, Brief, Clear
- Relevant to the task at hand
- Agreed as to meaning before being acted upon
Define active listening.
Making a conscious effort to not only hear the words being said but to try and understand the complete message being sent.
What standard term is used to convey an emergency message?
Emergency, Emergency, Emergency
Who is the lead communicator in a call between Metrol/ Electrol and anyone else?
Whoever has initiated the call
Who is the lead communicator in a call between a PD and train drivers?
PD (Principal Driver)
Can mobile phones ever be used in the danger zone?
NO
Can mobile phones ever be used in the rail corridor?
Only in a position of safety for business matters or personal calls in the case of an emergency
When is a Reactive Track Access form required?
When staff/ train drivers are required to access the danger zone
What does a Reactive Track Access form ensure when completed?
Ensures that no rail traffic will be running on adjoining lines in the section of track specified
Who will the driver contact when access to the danger zone is required within station limits?
Controlling signaller
Who will the driver contact when access to the danger zone is required outside of station limits?
Train Controller at Metrol
Define an Audible Warning Device.
A device such as a whistle, siren or horn - used to give warning
Define the Danger Zone.
All space within 3 meters horizontally from the nearest rail and any distance above or below this zone including being on the line, unless a position of safety exists or can be created.
Define ‘Down’.
The direction of travel away from Flinders Street
Define Electrical Infrastructure.
Equipment and systems for supplying and distributing electricity for traction purposes, wires, cables and electrical equipment associated with low-voltage electrical switch rooms, signalling and substations
Define ‘Five Foot’.
The 5 foot area between the rails of a railway track also known as Victorian Broad Gauge (1600mm)
Define ‘Four Foot’.
The 4 foot area between the rails of a railway track also known as Standard Gauge (1435mm)
Define Platform.
A raised or level area, next to the line, that allows people to enter and exit trains.
Define Points.
A track component consisting of paired pieces of tapered rail that can be moved and set to allow tracks to diverge or converge.
Define Position of Safety.
A place where workers and equipment cannot be struck by rail traffic.
Define Obstruct.
To make a line unsafe for the passage of rail traffic.
Define Rail Corridor.
From fence line to fence line or where there are no fences, 15 metres from the nearest rail.
Define Safe Working.
The controlled movement of trains to protect the passengers, infrastructure and workers.
Define Signaller.
The person in charge of the working of points or signals on an interlocking apparatus or signal control panel.
Define Six Foot.
The minimum spacing between two adjacent running lines.
Define ‘Train On’
Train approaching
Define ‘Track Force Protection Coordinator’
The person appointed to assess and implement worksite protection arrangements on site
Define ‘Up’
The direction of travel towards Flinders Street
What is another term for the Victorian Broad Gauge?
5 Foot
What is another term for the Standard Gauge?
4 Foot
Who is responsible for assigning the Position of Safety?
The Track Force Protection Coordinator (TFPC)
When can you leave the Position of Safety?
- When rail traffic has passed
- When you are certain that you will not be in danger
- You have confirmed there is no danger from traffic on another line
- Your TFPC tells you it is safe to leave
Define a restricted location.
A location where access to a position of safety cannot be achieved within 10 seconds of seeing approaching rail traffic
Define a Viaduct.
A viaduct is a long bridge consisting of multiple spans with total length over 100 metres.
Define a Culvert.
A culvert is a drain/pipe or access path for livestock and is typically smaller than a bridge.
Define a Tunnel.
Artificial underground passage to allow the passage of rail traffic through hills or under roads, structures etc.
Define an Underbridge.
An underbridge is used when road traffic or a waterway goes UNDER the track.
Define an Overbridge.
An overbridge is used when road traffic goes OVER the track.
Define the Track System.
Within the rail corridor is the track system which consists of the rails, sleepers and ballast and is the structure on which the trains run.
What is the purpose of the rails?
For trains to be guided
What is the purpose of the ballast?
- To provide support and drainage
- Placed between the sleepers and the formation for the purpose of holding the track
What is the purpose of the sleepers?
- Distribute the weight of the traffic and rails onto the ballast
- Maintain the correct spacing or gauge between the rails and provides a means of keeping the rails parallel
- Allows the track to be maintained to the correct level by lifting and packing
What materials can sleepers be made from?
Concrete, Steel or Timber
What type of trains predominantly run on the Four Foot Gauge?
Freight trains
The Metropolitan network operates on which gauge of track?
- Five foot
- Broad Gauge
Define a Dual Gauge.
Dual Gauge are tracks that have three rails. Both standard (4 foot) and broad gauge (5 foot) trains can run on dual gauge tracks
What do Kilometre Posts indicate?
How many kilometres you are away from Southern Cross Station.
What do overhead structure numbers indicate?
The number of feet you are away from Flinders St Station when adding two 0’s to the end of the number.
(155 = 15,500 feet)
What type of line allows for trains to travel both up and down directions on?
Single Line (Bi-Directional)
How are Points operated?
By mechanical links or a power operated point machine which are controlled by the Signaller/ Train Controller at a remote location.
Define a Turnout (Points).
Turnouts are provided as a means of altering the route of trains.
Define a Crossover (Points).
Crossovers are two sets of points linked together to allow trains to cross from one line to another.
How is the electricity that powers the signals and points carried around the network?
via the cable trunking.
When the trip arm on a train stop is raised, what position is the signal in?
Danger
If a train passes a signal at danger, what will the trip arm on the train stop do?
Activiate the trains emergency brakes.
What is the maximum speed permissible for the inner - suburban area?
Up to 65km/h
What is the maximum speed permissible for the suburban area?
Up to 95km/h
What is the maximum speed permissible for the country area?
Up to 130km/h
Define a level crossing.
Level crossings are intersections where a railway line crosses a road or path.
How are level crossings protected?
- Bells
- Lights
- Boom gates
What are the two types of pedestrian crossings?
- Actively-protected crossings (gates, audible warnings, line markings, safety signs)
- Passively- protected crib crossings (maze and safety signs)
Where is the Platform Danger Zone?
- between the yellow/white line and the platform edge
- where there is no yellow/white line, it is 1.5 metres from the platform edge
Define a designated pathway.
Is an established pathway built for use by railway personnel in the performance of their duties.
Why must care be taken when walking on ballast?
- it can be unstable
- it can shift under your foot
Why must care be taken when walking around points?
Points are operated remotely and with force and can crush and cause injury
Define Worksite Protection.
A safe working system used to determine what protection is required to keep staff safe and must be put in place prior to work commencing in the danger zone.
Define Absolute Occupation.
An authority that closes a defined portion of track for a specified period.
Define ‘Booking Out of Track’
A method of protection that closes a defined portion of running line during an emergency, or for maintenance activities within a siding.
Define ‘Securing Points for Protection’
A method of protection that creates a position of safety within the Danger Zone by securing points to route rail traffic away from the worksite.
How are the points secured during ‘Securing Points for Protection’?
- Lockable Point Clip
- Locking Bar
- Physically inhibited in their operation by a Signal Maintenance Technician
Define ‘ Absolute Signal Blocking’
A method of protection used by Competent Workers to carry out work on track using controlled absolute signals set and kept at DANGER
Define Track Force Protection.
A method of protecting work on track between rail traffic movements.
Define an Audible Track Warning Signal (ATW’s)
ATW’s are devices that explode when train wheels run over them to attract the attention of train crews.
What is Demarcation Fencing?
- Demarcation Fencing is an easily seen and continuous boundary marker
- provided as a warning that a boundary exists and does not prevent rail workers from entering the Danger Zone
What does the MURL stand for?
Melbourne Underground Rail Loop
How many single track tunnels does the MURL consists of?
4
What are the names of the tunnels that make up the MURL?
- Burnley
- Northern
- Clifton Hill/ City Circle
- Caulfield
What is Cable Trunking?
Cable Trunking carries the cables that connect the signalling equipment to local and central signal boxes
- this enables the Signaller/Train Controller to monitor the condition of the track, including location of trains and position of points
The cable trunking can contain what amount of volts?
2,200V
Define an Electrical Conductor.
An object that allows the flow of an electrical current in one or more directions.
Define an Electrical Insulator.
An object that does not allow electricity to pass through it.
Who do you contact if you see someone who has come into contact with live electrical equipment?
Electrol - arrange for the equipment to be isolated.
Define a Spark Gap.
A Spark Gap is a safety device that enables power to return to the substation in the event of a fault occurring and trips the circuit breaker.
Are the overhead structures earthed to the ground?
No - they are instead connected by a spark gap to the power return rail.
The traction power system is charged with how many volts?
1500VDC
How far away must you stay from overhead wiring and fittings?
2 metres
Define a substation
Substations at various locations in the suburban area feed the overhead system that supplies electric power for suburban trains
What amount of volts enter the substaion?
22,000VAC
What volts do the substations produce?
1,500VDC
How is traction power supplied to a train?
By the contact between the pantograph on the train and the contact wire of the overhead system.
What is the purpose of a Stanchion?
To suspend all 1500VDC power components above the ground and track
What are the three types of Stanchion?
- Portal
- Cantilever
- Stand Off
What is the purpose of a Stand Off Stanchion?
- mainly situated where there are curves to keep the overhead in position
Define a Tensioner.
- will adjust the tension of the overhead wires according to ambient temperature
What are the types of Tensioners?
- Weighted
- Spring
