PATH Railroad Operator Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
CBTC is called "communication-based" because? - Answer-Trains and wayside
computers communicate with each other by means of a data radio link.
ATC-equipped trains are localized using? - Answer-Data read from wayside
transponders
What is a part of the localization process? - Answer-The car-borne ATC equipment
determines the length of the train, the car-borne ATC's train length is equal to or greater
than the length reported by the PA-5 rolling stock, and the train engineer confirms the
length of the train
What does it mean when the front end of a train is sieved? - Answer-The Zone
Controller has determined that there is nothing between the front of the train and the
next track circuit boundary.
When an ATC-equipped train is following a non-ATC train, the ATC train's MAL will
generally reflect? - Answer-The entering end of the track circuit in approach to the track
circuit occupied by the non-ATC train
An ATC train is rounding a curve. There are no trains ahead, no wayside signals in the
area, and no temporary speed limits in effect. The limits of the train's maximum
allowable speed are? - Answer-The speed limit from the car-borne map.
What is the allowable speed for passing a flashing green or flashing yellow ATC signal?
- Answer-As displayed on the TOD
When walking in the track area, employees must not walk or step on? - Answer-
Running rails, train stops, transponders
What function of the ATC car-borne equipment is verified in the Daily Test? - Answer-
Triggering an emergency brake application
Which of the following is not included on the speed dial? - Answer-A service brake
application triggered by the car-borne ATC
Q: When the speed is in the yellow zone of the speed dial: - Answer-The train engineer
must apply service braking to slow the train.
When the station dwell time reading is displayed in green reading ":07" it means: -
Answer-The train should depart in 7 seconds
,IF the "ATC Failure" indication appears, and no other disruption to operation is noted,
the train engineer should: - Answer-Immediately inform the trainmaster and follow
his/her instructions.
When a triangle appears alongside the MAL bar, which of these is present at the
location indicated by the triangle? - Answer-Beginning of a slow speed order or work
zone
A MAL bar with green and yellow sections means that: - Answer-The training is being
routed out of CBTC Mainline territory
Which of the following is not a possible operating route in CBTC mainline territory? -
Answer-Wayside
What position of the ATC Mode switch is used when transitioning between territory
types? - Answer-MCS
As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later,
you encounter two yellow flags but no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the
CBTC TOD. What is your best course of action? - Answer-Stay in MCS mode, proceed
as appropriate for the flagging arrangement, advise Control Center of the flags.
When a train enters yard territory from CBTC mainline territory, when does the
operating mode change? - Answer-When the front of the train enters yard territory
If a train is in motion, only the following mode change is acceptable: - Answer-Release
to MCS
ATC Bypass mode is? - Answer-In bypass mode, the maximum allowable train speed is
40 mph
Which of the following will not trigger an emergency brake application? - Answer-
Traversing a failed track circuit in release mode.
Which of these statements about yard mode operation is true? - Answer-ATC enforces
a 12mph speed limit, but the train engineer is responsible for complying with any other
restrictions.
Which of the following are positions of the ATC mode switch? - Answer-MATC, MCS,
Release
What will happen if MATC mode is selected on the ATC Mode switch while the train is in
motion operating in MCS? - Answer-The train stops with an emergency brake
application
, What is the normal position of the ATC Mode switch while in yard territory? - Answer-
MCS
When a call-on (restricting signal aspect) is displayed at an interlocking signal in CBTC
mainline territory, what ATC mode enable the train to pass it? - Answer-Release
Which of the following conditions would result in the TOD indicating an 'unknown"
operating mode? - Answer-The ATC car-borne equipment has completely failed
As a train engineer, on inspecting the ATC Bypass switch when preparing a train for
service, you find the seal is missing. What should you do? - Answer-Inform the
trainmaster (or yard foreman) that the seal is missing.
What must the train engineer do upon leaving CBTC mainline territory? - Answer-
Acknowledge the territory and operate normally for the territory you are entering.
What circumstances might require starting a train movement in release mode? -
Answer-The train is stored on the same track and within 50 feet of another train in
CBTC mainline territory
As a train engineer operating in MATC mode, you arrive in a station where a CBTC train
hold is in effect. After some delay, the trainmaster directs you via voice radio to depart,
even though the train hold is in effect. What should you do? - Answer-Select MCS
mode, touch the "hold" indication on the TOD, and depart from the station in MCS
The best strategy for operating a train in MCS mode? - Answer-Learn each section of
the road thoroughly so that you can anticipate exactly the speed profiles under CBTC
operation. This way, you can keep out of the yellow zone. Also be ready to slow down
as you approach the end of a MAL and use the CBTC audible alert to decide exactly
when to begin braking.
What position of the ATC mode switch is used when transitioning between territory
types? - Answer-MCS
As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later,
you encounter two yellow flags no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the
CBTC TOD. What is your best course of action? - Answer-Stay in MCS mode, proceed
as appropriate for the flagging arrangement, advise Control Center of the flags.
If a train is in motion, only the following mode change is acceptable: - Answer-Release
to MCS
What will not trigger an emergency brake application? - Answer-Traversing a failed
track circuit in release mode
with Correct Answers
CBTC is called "communication-based" because? - Answer-Trains and wayside
computers communicate with each other by means of a data radio link.
ATC-equipped trains are localized using? - Answer-Data read from wayside
transponders
What is a part of the localization process? - Answer-The car-borne ATC equipment
determines the length of the train, the car-borne ATC's train length is equal to or greater
than the length reported by the PA-5 rolling stock, and the train engineer confirms the
length of the train
What does it mean when the front end of a train is sieved? - Answer-The Zone
Controller has determined that there is nothing between the front of the train and the
next track circuit boundary.
When an ATC-equipped train is following a non-ATC train, the ATC train's MAL will
generally reflect? - Answer-The entering end of the track circuit in approach to the track
circuit occupied by the non-ATC train
An ATC train is rounding a curve. There are no trains ahead, no wayside signals in the
area, and no temporary speed limits in effect. The limits of the train's maximum
allowable speed are? - Answer-The speed limit from the car-borne map.
What is the allowable speed for passing a flashing green or flashing yellow ATC signal?
- Answer-As displayed on the TOD
When walking in the track area, employees must not walk or step on? - Answer-
Running rails, train stops, transponders
What function of the ATC car-borne equipment is verified in the Daily Test? - Answer-
Triggering an emergency brake application
Which of the following is not included on the speed dial? - Answer-A service brake
application triggered by the car-borne ATC
Q: When the speed is in the yellow zone of the speed dial: - Answer-The train engineer
must apply service braking to slow the train.
When the station dwell time reading is displayed in green reading ":07" it means: -
Answer-The train should depart in 7 seconds
,IF the "ATC Failure" indication appears, and no other disruption to operation is noted,
the train engineer should: - Answer-Immediately inform the trainmaster and follow
his/her instructions.
When a triangle appears alongside the MAL bar, which of these is present at the
location indicated by the triangle? - Answer-Beginning of a slow speed order or work
zone
A MAL bar with green and yellow sections means that: - Answer-The training is being
routed out of CBTC Mainline territory
Which of the following is not a possible operating route in CBTC mainline territory? -
Answer-Wayside
What position of the ATC Mode switch is used when transitioning between territory
types? - Answer-MCS
As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later,
you encounter two yellow flags but no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the
CBTC TOD. What is your best course of action? - Answer-Stay in MCS mode, proceed
as appropriate for the flagging arrangement, advise Control Center of the flags.
When a train enters yard territory from CBTC mainline territory, when does the
operating mode change? - Answer-When the front of the train enters yard territory
If a train is in motion, only the following mode change is acceptable: - Answer-Release
to MCS
ATC Bypass mode is? - Answer-In bypass mode, the maximum allowable train speed is
40 mph
Which of the following will not trigger an emergency brake application? - Answer-
Traversing a failed track circuit in release mode.
Which of these statements about yard mode operation is true? - Answer-ATC enforces
a 12mph speed limit, but the train engineer is responsible for complying with any other
restrictions.
Which of the following are positions of the ATC mode switch? - Answer-MATC, MCS,
Release
What will happen if MATC mode is selected on the ATC Mode switch while the train is in
motion operating in MCS? - Answer-The train stops with an emergency brake
application
, What is the normal position of the ATC Mode switch while in yard territory? - Answer-
MCS
When a call-on (restricting signal aspect) is displayed at an interlocking signal in CBTC
mainline territory, what ATC mode enable the train to pass it? - Answer-Release
Which of the following conditions would result in the TOD indicating an 'unknown"
operating mode? - Answer-The ATC car-borne equipment has completely failed
As a train engineer, on inspecting the ATC Bypass switch when preparing a train for
service, you find the seal is missing. What should you do? - Answer-Inform the
trainmaster (or yard foreman) that the seal is missing.
What must the train engineer do upon leaving CBTC mainline territory? - Answer-
Acknowledge the territory and operate normally for the territory you are entering.
What circumstances might require starting a train movement in release mode? -
Answer-The train is stored on the same track and within 50 feet of another train in
CBTC mainline territory
As a train engineer operating in MATC mode, you arrive in a station where a CBTC train
hold is in effect. After some delay, the trainmaster directs you via voice radio to depart,
even though the train hold is in effect. What should you do? - Answer-Select MCS
mode, touch the "hold" indication on the TOD, and depart from the station in MCS
The best strategy for operating a train in MCS mode? - Answer-Learn each section of
the road thoroughly so that you can anticipate exactly the speed profiles under CBTC
operation. This way, you can keep out of the yellow zone. Also be ready to slow down
as you approach the end of a MAL and use the CBTC audible alert to decide exactly
when to begin braking.
What position of the ATC mode switch is used when transitioning between territory
types? - Answer-MCS
As a train engineer, you start a train from a station in MCS, and some distance later,
you encounter two yellow flags no "work zone ahead" indication is displayed on the
CBTC TOD. What is your best course of action? - Answer-Stay in MCS mode, proceed
as appropriate for the flagging arrangement, advise Control Center of the flags.
If a train is in motion, only the following mode change is acceptable: - Answer-Release
to MCS
What will not trigger an emergency brake application? - Answer-Traversing a failed
track circuit in release mode
