KNOW YOUR RULES

May 1996

By Mickey Cowling

Do you have a rules question you would like discussed in this column? If so, please call 8/817-878-4528 and leave it on the Fort Worth Safety Center voice mail recorder, or e-mail it to Mickey Cowling via E-Mail

I. We have just passed a clear signal that is also the approach to an automatic interlocker. Our speed is 20 mph because of a speed restriction we have just come out of. How do we approach the interlocker?

a. Maximum speed.
b. Restricted speed.
c. Prepared to stop at the interlocking signal.

II. Refering to the previous question, the interlocking signal continues to display a proceed signal. When can we resume speed?

a. When the engine reaches a point aproximately 1000 ft. from the signal.
b. When the lead trucks pass the signal.

III. I'm sure everyone knows that when a signal is dark we must regard the signal as displaying it's most restrictive indication. With that in mind, here's the situation. We are in TWC (Dark) territory and we come to a distance signal to an automatic interlocker. The signal is dark. What is the most restrictive indication this signal can give?

a. Approach.
b. Restricting.
c. Stop.

IV. Again refer to the previous question. We notified the dispatcher of the dark signal and we are about to pass a clear signal at the interlocker. At what speed are we required to run through the interlocking limits?

a. Restricted speed.
b. 20 mph.
c. No restriction.

Mickey is a Fort Worth based engineer and rules instructor.