This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to control local rail traffic movement in accordance with workplace procedures and the requirements of relevant safeworking regulations and codes of practice.

It includes monitoring the status of the current train area plan, implementing the daily working timetable, controlling rail traffic movement, implementing contingency plans and updating traffic movement documentation in accordance with workplace requirements.

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state/territory legislated rail safety and safeworking requirements, and to comply with relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines.

The unit involves the application of operational principles, regulations, and safeworking codes, protocols and procedures when controlling rail traffic movement, as part of workplace activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian rail industry.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Monitor status of local conditions and timetable

1.1

Rail traffic movements and associated activities are analysed to establish current situation

1.2

Proposed rail traffic movements and associated activities are identified to establish status of local conditions and timetable in accordance with organisational procedures and policies

1.3

Train notices are checked for conflicts and adjustments are made to local timetable as required

1.4

Identified anomalies are reported in accordance with organisational procedures and policies

2

Control local rail traffic movement

2.1

Rail traffic movements are coordinated with relevant personnel in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

2.2

Signalling systems are operated and monitored to ensure safe movement of rail traffic

2.3

Irregularities that may affect the timetable are reported and recorded in accordance with organisational procedures and policies

3

Communicate with relevant personnel

3.1

Communication with relevant rail safety workers is undertaken to ensure they are informed of local rail traffic movements, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.2

Communication with other relevant personnel is undertaken to ensure they are informed of local rail traffic movements, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4

Implement contingency plans as instructed

4.1

Contingency plan to suit disruption, system failure or fault is actioned as instructed, in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

4.2

Resources to respond to the contingency are arranged as required, in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures

4.3

Rail traffic movements are adjusted in accordance with organisational and local operational requirements

4.4

Communications with network control officer and other relevant personnel are established and maintained as required

5

Update local rail traffic movement documentation

5.1

Rail traffic movement documentation is amended, compiled and recorded in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

5.2

Rail traffic movement information and documentation are handed over when relieved, and/or at shift completion in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

controlling rail traffic movements by using appropriate signalling and safeworking systems

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation and entering data

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule and local conditions

operating communications systems in accordance with workplace procedures

reading, interpreting and following relevant instructions, procedures and information

reporting problems, faults and malfunctions promptly , in accordance with organisational procedures

using appropriate numeric functions when implementing contingency plans.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

area communications systems and workplace procedures

applicable state/territory legislated rail safety and safeworking requirements, relevant codes of practice and/or guidelines

organisational procedures for controlling and coordinating rail traffic operations

problems that may occur when controlling local rail traffic and related action that should be taken

relevant documentation requirements

signalling, hand signals and control systems and operations

specific local conditions and restrictions

train notices, including special train notices.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations or, where this is not available, in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate rail corridor workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.