Track access controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:38, 17 January 2011

Revision as of 17:53, 19 December 2011

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{{multiple issues|orphan =February 2009|unreferenced =June 2007}}

'''Track Access Controller''' (known as TAC) is a safety related job post in the [[London Underground]]. They mostly work mostly at night and protect workers in the track enviroment, during "[[Engineering]] hours" when [[traction]] current is switched off and passenger trains have stopped running. Using Line Safe and Line Clear rules they protect you from traction current as well as moving trains and vehicles.

Track Access Control has responsibility for protection of persons working in the track environment during Engineering Hours. Each Controller has responsibility for a specific area of the Underground railway (e.g. the Victoria line)Some lines such as the Northern line are so long and so busy that up to 3 Track Access Controllers may be responsible for different areas of the track.

Each Track Access Controller has responsibility for an area of the Underground railway, this could be a part of a line or the entire line, depending how much work is being carried out. Some lines are so busy that a number of Track Access Controllers may be responsible for the same area of the track.

The post of the Track Access Controller (formerly the Engineering Works Controller - EWC) was created in 1983, andwith inthe introduction of the Line Safe Office, followed six months later by the Line Clear Office. In 1990 the two offices combined and they took residence in a purpose built control centre based in South-West [[London]]. Track Access Controllers must be aware of all safety and traction current arrangements on the tracks they are responsible for,. Every night they must read their publications and come to a complete understanding of all train movements to be made that are not included in the normal Time Table. This will include any additional trains, both passenger and (engineers trains) running, and all works and "other protection masters"arrangements on the track (seethey beloware forprotecting.The definitionTACs ofmust protectionsconfirm master).Traction Current switching amendments with the Power Control Room Operators, prior to accepting calls for protection.

When the TAC Desks open for Protection Requests, "Protection Masters" (see defination below)and Others arranging protection, must contact the relevant TAC Desks and book their protection with the TAC. TAC protection is in place when the TAC has given authority, by issuing a Reference Number and a Call-Back Time. Engineering Hours Protection is in place only when the Traction Current has been switched off and confirmed off, at or after the published switching off time.

The post of the Track Access Controller (formerly the Engineering Works Controller - EWC) was created in 1983, and in 1990 they took residence in a control centre based in South-West [[London]]. Track Access Controllers must be aware of all safety and traction current arrangements on the tracks they are responsible for, all trains (engineers trains) running, and all works and "protection masters" on the track (see below for definition of protections master).

A protection master is defined as a person certificated by LU to

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arm above the elbow.

Track Access Controllers are trained in many aspects of railway management. They are an "Operational managerManager" grade of London Underground and each must be competent to deal with multi-tasking, emergencies and conflicts of work. Their priorities are safety, completion of engineering work and the safe/timely return of the railway for passenger trains every morning. Track accessAccess controllersControllers collaborate with others to resolve problems related to "overrunning engineering work".

Any individual working on or around the track environment must be accopanied by protection master. Protection Masters rely on the Track Access Controller to keep them safe while they are working on the track (safe from traction current as well as moving trains and vehicles).

It takes over 6 months to train as a Track Access Controller and the team was origanly made up of former Permanent Way & Signalling Supervisors and Technical Staff. The team was later expanded to include. Line Controllers, Station-Supervisors, Senior Signalmen, other "Operational Manager" backgrounds and Protection Masters.

Track Access Controllers are trained in many aspects of railway management. They are an "Operational manager" grade of London Underground and each must be competent to deal with multi-tasking, emergencies and conflicts of work. Their priorities are safety, completion of engineering work and the safe/timely return of the railway for passenger trains every morning. Track access controllers collaborate with others to resolve problems related to "overrunning engineering work".

ItTrack takesAccess overControllers 6are monthsexpected to trainwork asboth a Track Access Controllerindependently and theas team is made uppart of formerthe protectionTrack masters,Access Station-Supervisors,Team Senioras Signalmenthe andsituation other Station "Operational Manager" backgroundsrequires. Track Access Controllers work independently, andThey deal with incidents and minor/major scenarios every night before authorising the turningsafe switching on of traction current in the morning, and allowing passenger trains to run.

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