Foul Time (Rule 140) – who may verbally authorize foul time if the work will not disturb the track?

Foul Time (Rule 140) – who may verbally authorize foul time if the work will not disturb the track?

• A. The Dispatcher
• B. The Engineer in Charge
• C. The Conductor
• D. The Signal Maintainer

Answer: (A)

Foul time is a protection measure for workers near the tracks, coordinated through the person who controls track occupancy and train movements. When the work will not disturb the track, the Dispatcher is the authority who may verbally authorize foul time to proceed, ensuring that any planned movement is still coordinated and safe. The Engineer in Charge oversees the train and crew operations but does not grant foul time; the Conductor and the Signal Maintainer do not have authority to issue foul time—communication with the Dispatcher is how the protection is established.

Foul time is a protection measure for workers near the tracks, coordinated through the person who controls track occupancy and train movements. When the work will not disturb the track, the Dispatcher is the authority who may verbally authorize foul time to proceed, ensuring that any planned movement is still coordinated and safe. The Engineer in Charge oversees the train and crew operations but does not grant foul time; the Conductor and the Signal Maintainer do not have authority to issue foul time—communication with the Dispatcher is how the protection is established.