Who has the authority to control specific working limits on the roadway?

The authority to control specific working limits on the roadway is designated to the Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC). This role is pivotal in ensuring the safety of all personnel working in or near the track area. The RWIC is responsible for establishing and maintaining the defined working limits, which involve coordinating with all relevant parties, ensuring that safety measures are implemented, and that workers are informed of those boundaries.

The RWIC makes crucial decisions about when and how work can be carried out safely, taking into account any potential train movements and other hazards in the area. This authority includes determining the extent of the area that needs to be protected for the safety of the workers on the ground.

While the railway maintenance team may execute tasks and the Rail Operation Control Center (ROCC) manages overall operations, it is ultimately the RWIC who has the specific authority to define and enforce working limits on the roadway. The involvement of team flaggers is important for directing traffic and maintaining safety at the site, but they do not possess the authority to determine the working limits themselves.