What is the purpose of track warnings?

The purpose of track warnings is fundamentally to alert workers to the presence of trains and other potential hazards in the work area. This is crucial for maintaining safety on or near active railroad tracks, where the risk of injury from moving trains is significant. By providing clear warnings, workers can take appropriate actions to stay clear of tracks when necessary, ensuring they are aware of any train movements or other dangers that could compromise their safety.

While informing workers of other teams on site, notifying the public of construction work, or indicating speed limits for trains are important aspects of railroad and construction operations, they do not serve the primary objective of ensuring worker safety in relation to train movements. The focus of track warnings is specifically on preventing accidents through timely alerts about the immediate risks associated with train operations.