Track access controller: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:08, 1 October 2012

Revision as of 20:50, 4 January 2013

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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 work mostly at night and protect workers in the track environment, during "[[Engineering]] hours" when [[Traction power network|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.

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.

Line 15:

• during engineering hours, or

• in a depot or stabling siding.

A protection master’s certificate will be endorsed to show either traffic hours, engineering hours, depots or a combination of all

traffic hours, engineering hours, depots or a combination of all

three.

A protection master is identified by an armband worn on the right arm above the elbow.

arm above the elbow.

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".

It takes over 6 months to train as a Track Access Controller and the team was originlyoriginally 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 expected to work both independently and as part of the Track Access Team as the situation requires. They deal with incidents and minor/major scenarios every night before authorising the safe switching on of traction current in the morning and allowing passenger trains to run.