NPR 710 Piloting rail traffic

Introduction

Where required, Pilots accompany Drivers and Track Vehicle Operators to direct rail traffic movements.

General

Pilot

1. Confirm when and where to meet the rail traffic you are to pilot.
2. Confirm your knowledge of the route.
3. Establish and maintain effective communication with the Signaller.
4. Tell Drivers or Track Vehicle Operators about operating restrictions and conditions in a timely manner.
5. Give clear directions.

Work on track authorities

Pilot

1. Establish and maintain effective communication with the Signaller and the Possession Protection Officer or the Coordinating Protection Officer or the Protection Officer.
2. Confirm how entry into and exit from a work on track authority will be authorised.
3. Get authority to enter a work on track authority from the Possession Protection Officer, Protection Officer or Signaller.
4. Confirm with the Possession Protection Officer or Coordinating Protection Officer or Protection Officer:
   1. the route to be taken, and
   2. the locations of all worksites, and
   3. the contact details of all Coordinating Protection Officers and Protection Officers within the work on track authority.
5. Make sure that points and crossovers are set and secured correctly before travelling over them.
6. Tell the Driver or Track Vehicle Operator about the locations of worksites.
7. If there is no Handsignaller at the railway track signal protection:
   1. get the Possession Protection Officer’s or Coordinating Protection Officer’s or Protection Officer’s authority to remove the protection, and
   2. remove, or arrange to remove, the protection before passing the location, and
   3. replace, or arrange to replace, the protection after passing the location.
8. Tell the Possession Protection Officer or Coordinating Protection Officer or Protection Officer when the railway track signal protection has been replaced.
9. Tell the Possession Protection Officer or Coordinating Protection Officer or Protection Officer when you have entered a work on track authority and worksites.
10. Within a work on track authority, act under the direction of the Possession Protection Officer or Coordinating Protection Officer or Protection Officer.
11. Before making a movement within a work on track authority, contact the Possession Protection Officer or Coordinating Protection Officer or Protection Officer and get:
    1. authority for the movement, and
    2. an assurance that the intended route is clear and that no conflicting movements have been, or will be, authorised.
12. Get the Signaller’s authority to exit a work on track authority.
13. Tell the Signaller and Possession Protection Officer or Protection Officer when you exit the work on track authority.
14. Make a permanent record of relevant details, including the details of entry into and exit from worksites and work on track authorities.