Track access controller
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Track Access Controller is a safety related job post in the London Underground. They mostly work at night during "Engineering hours" when traction current is switched off and passenger trains have stopped running. Track Access Control has responsibility for protection of persons working in the track environment during Engineering Hours. Each Controller has responsibility for a specific area of the Underground railway (e.g. the Victoria line)Some lines such as the Northern line are so long and so busy that up to 3 Track Access Controllers may be responsible for different areas of the track.
The post of the Track Access Controller (formerly the Engineering Works Controller - EWC) was created in 1983, and in 1990 they took residence in a control centre based in South-West London. Track Access Controllers must be aware of all safety and traction current arrangements on the tracks they are responsible for, all trains (engineers trains) running, and all works and "protection masters" on the track (see below for definition of protections master).
A protection master is an NVQ-licensed and certified employee or contractor who works on the track doing any type of engineering work ranging from cleaning the track through to changing rails or re-cabling the network. Any individual working on or around the track environment must be a protection master or have a protection master with them. Protection Masters rely on the Track Access Controller to keep them safe while they are working on the track (safe from traction current as well as moving trains and vehicles).
A protection master is defined as a person certificated by LU to provide protection for themselves and others when on or about the track: • during traffic hours • during engineering hours, or • in a depot or stabling siding. A protection master’s certificate will be endorsed to show either traffic hours, engineering hours, depots or a combination of all three. A protection master is identified by an armband worn on the right arm above the elbow.
Track Access Controllers are trained in many aspects of railway management. They are an "Operational manager" grade of London Underground and each must be competent to deal with multi-tasking, emergencies and conflicts of work. Their priorities are safety, completion of engineering work and the safe/timely return of the railway for passenger trains every morning. Track access controllers collaborate with others to resolve problems related to "overrunning engineering work".
It takes over 6 months to train as a Track Access Controller and the team is made up of former protection masters, Station-Supervisors, Senior Signalmen and other Station "Operational Manager" backgrounds. Track Access Controllers work independently, and deal with incidents and minor/major scenarios every night before authorising the turning on of traction current in the morning, allowing passenger trains to run.