BNSF Roadway Worker Protection
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027: 100%
Verified Questions & Correct Answers
Question 1: A roadway worker is fouling a track when any part of their body or equipment is:
A. Within 4 feet of the nearest rail
B. Within the width of the rail itself
C. On the rail head only
D. Within 10 feet of the track centerline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to 49 CFR §214.7, "fouling a track" means the placement of an individual or
equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a moving
train or other on-track equipment. The standard distance is within 4 feet of the nearest rail.
Question 2: Before beginning work on a track, a roadway worker must receive a job briefing that
includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The specific on-track safety procedures to be used
B. The location of the nearest coffee shop
C. The means of communication to be used
D. The location of the place of safety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.315, job briefings must include: on-track safety procedures,
communication methods, emergency procedures, location of place of safety, and other
safety-critical information. Non-safety items like coffee shop locations are not required.
Question 3: The "cardinal rule of railroading" states that:
A. Safety is the responsibility of management only
B. All trains must stop for roadway workers
C. Any track is a potential active track
D. Roadway workers have the right-of-way over trains
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The cardinal rule of railroading is that any track is a potential active track until proven
otherwise. This fundamental safety principle requires roadway workers to treat all tracks as
potentially active and follow proper on-track safety procedures at all times.
Question 4: A watchman/lookout must be able to see approaching trains at a distance that provides
at least:
A. 5 seconds of warning time
B. 10 seconds of warning time
C. 15 seconds of warning time
D. 20 seconds of warning time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.329, a watchman/lookout must be able to see approaching trains far
enough to provide at least 15 seconds of warning time before the train arrives at the location where
the roadway workers are fouling the track.
Question 5: When using the Train Approach Warning (TAW) method of on-track safety, roadway
workers must move to a place of safety at least:
A. 5 seconds before the train arrives
B. 10 seconds before the train arrives
C. 15 seconds before the train arrives
D. Immediately upon hearing the train horn
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 49 CFR §214.329, when using TAW, roadway workers must move to a place of
safety at least 15 seconds before the train arrives. This ensures adequate time to clear the track
completely.
Question 6: A "place of safety" is defined as a location where:
A. Roadway workers can stand without fouling any track
B. Equipment can be stored temporarily
C. Workers can observe train movements
D. Supervisors can monitor work progress
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.7, a place of safety is a location where a roadway worker can stand
without fouling any track and where they are not exposed to moving trains or equipment. This is the
minimum requirement for safety.
Question 7: The Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC) is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
, A. Ensuring all workers receive proper job briefings
B. Determining the appropriate on-track safety method
C. Operating trains through the work area
D. Ensuring workers move to safety when required
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The RWIC is responsible for worker safety, job briefings, selecting protection methods,
and ensuring compliance with safety procedures. However, operating trains is the responsibility of
qualified train crews, not the RWIC.
Question 8: When working limits are established by track bulletin, the limits are defined by:
A. Mileposts or physical characteristics
B. The RWIC's verbal instructions
C. The train dispatcher's discretion
D. Worker convenience
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.319, working limits established by track bulletin must be defined by
mileposts, station names, or physical characteristics such as bridges, signals, or switches. This
provides clear, unambiguous boundaries.
Question 9: A lone worker establishing on-track safety through individual train detection must be
able to detect trains at a distance that provides at least:
A. 5 seconds to move to safety
B. 10 seconds to move to safety
C. 15 seconds to move to safety
D. 30 seconds to move to safety
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.347, lone workers using individual train detection must be able to
detect trains far enough away to provide at least 15 seconds to move to a place of safety before
the train arrives.
Question 10: The minimum required training for roadway workers must be provided:
A. Once every two years
B. Once every calendar year
C. Only when hired
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027: 100%
Verified Questions & Correct Answers
Question 1: A roadway worker is fouling a track when any part of their body or equipment is:
A. Within 4 feet of the nearest rail
B. Within the width of the rail itself
C. On the rail head only
D. Within 10 feet of the track centerline
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: According to 49 CFR §214.7, "fouling a track" means the placement of an individual or
equipment in such proximity to a track that the individual or equipment could be struck by a moving
train or other on-track equipment. The standard distance is within 4 feet of the nearest rail.
Question 2: Before beginning work on a track, a roadway worker must receive a job briefing that
includes all of the following EXCEPT:
A. The specific on-track safety procedures to be used
B. The location of the nearest coffee shop
C. The means of communication to be used
D. The location of the place of safety
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.315, job briefings must include: on-track safety procedures,
communication methods, emergency procedures, location of place of safety, and other
safety-critical information. Non-safety items like coffee shop locations are not required.
Question 3: The "cardinal rule of railroading" states that:
A. Safety is the responsibility of management only
B. All trains must stop for roadway workers
C. Any track is a potential active track
D. Roadway workers have the right-of-way over trains
Correct Answer: C
,Rationale: The cardinal rule of railroading is that any track is a potential active track until proven
otherwise. This fundamental safety principle requires roadway workers to treat all tracks as
potentially active and follow proper on-track safety procedures at all times.
Question 4: A watchman/lookout must be able to see approaching trains at a distance that provides
at least:
A. 5 seconds of warning time
B. 10 seconds of warning time
C. 15 seconds of warning time
D. 20 seconds of warning time
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.329, a watchman/lookout must be able to see approaching trains far
enough to provide at least 15 seconds of warning time before the train arrives at the location where
the roadway workers are fouling the track.
Question 5: When using the Train Approach Warning (TAW) method of on-track safety, roadway
workers must move to a place of safety at least:
A. 5 seconds before the train arrives
B. 10 seconds before the train arrives
C. 15 seconds before the train arrives
D. Immediately upon hearing the train horn
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Under 49 CFR §214.329, when using TAW, roadway workers must move to a place of
safety at least 15 seconds before the train arrives. This ensures adequate time to clear the track
completely.
Question 6: A "place of safety" is defined as a location where:
A. Roadway workers can stand without fouling any track
B. Equipment can be stored temporarily
C. Workers can observe train movements
D. Supervisors can monitor work progress
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.7, a place of safety is a location where a roadway worker can stand
without fouling any track and where they are not exposed to moving trains or equipment. This is the
minimum requirement for safety.
Question 7: The Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC) is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT:
, A. Ensuring all workers receive proper job briefings
B. Determining the appropriate on-track safety method
C. Operating trains through the work area
D. Ensuring workers move to safety when required
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The RWIC is responsible for worker safety, job briefings, selecting protection methods,
and ensuring compliance with safety procedures. However, operating trains is the responsibility of
qualified train crews, not the RWIC.
Question 8: When working limits are established by track bulletin, the limits are defined by:
A. Mileposts or physical characteristics
B. The RWIC's verbal instructions
C. The train dispatcher's discretion
D. Worker convenience
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.319, working limits established by track bulletin must be defined by
mileposts, station names, or physical characteristics such as bridges, signals, or switches. This
provides clear, unambiguous boundaries.
Question 9: A lone worker establishing on-track safety through individual train detection must be
able to detect trains at a distance that provides at least:
A. 5 seconds to move to safety
B. 10 seconds to move to safety
C. 15 seconds to move to safety
D. 30 seconds to move to safety
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Per 49 CFR §214.347, lone workers using individual train detection must be able to
detect trains far enough away to provide at least 15 seconds to move to a place of safety before
the train arrives.
Question 10: The minimum required training for roadway workers must be provided:
A. Once every two years
B. Once every calendar year
C. Only when hired
D. Every five years
Correct Answer: B
