DART Rail Institute Definitions Practice Exam

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• What is a third rail and where is it used?
• Which term describes a switch where the switch points face toward the approaching train movement?
• The warning devices that include horn, whistle, gong, strobe lighting and turn signal belong to which category?
• Which track arrangement consists of a switch and guard rails that diverts trains from one track to another and is used only for Entrance or Exit?
• What is a clearance envelope?
• Which statement best defines standard emergency procedures?
• Which term describes a switch where the points face toward the approaching train movement?
• Which statement about the platform edge safety line is true?
• The lowest form of braking on the master controller is what?
• Which of the following is not a wire that makes up the railway catenary?
• Which term describes a switch where the switch points face away from the approaching train movement?
• Which term describes the time between successive trains at a given location?
• Which description matches standard emergency procedure documentation?
• Which term describes a change in train movement from one track to another over a track switch set in the reverse position?
• Which concept describes the primary purpose of derailment protection measures?
• Which factor is the primary determinant of dwell time at a station?
• What is the difference between a passenger information system (PIS) and PID?
• Which term refers to a diverging track section between mainline tracks used for storing or reversing trains?
• Which term denotes a territory where cab signals are used to convey information to the operator?
• Which method helps maintain traction on slippery rails by introducing additional friction?
• What is CBTC and how does it differ from fixed-block signaling?
• Which location on a track is defined as the point beyond which a train on one track could interfere with movement on an adjacent track?
• What is a crossover in rail track design?
• What term describes the period when a train is stopped at a station?
• A device enabling LRV or rail vehicle movement from one track to another.
• Which statement about loading gauge is true?
• What term is a point designated by yard limits signs which separates the mainline from the yard when exiting at the CROF and NWROF facilities?
• Define non-revenue service.
• Which term describes the safe system that uses interdependent signals and switches to prevent conflicting movements?
• What term refers to the specific makeup and identity of a train?
• Which term describes the point where a train on one track could interfere with movement on an adjacent track?
• What is a signal aspect and what do green, yellow, and red indicate?
• Which term measures the duration a train stays at a station for passenger boarding and alighting?
• Which statement best defines revenue service in rail operations?
• Which statement best describes non-revenue service?
• What is a train coupler?
• Define maintenance-of-way (MOW) and its scope.
• What term refers to a track segment connecting the yard or yard tracks with the mainline?
• Which braking sequence is designated for normal service braking?
• What is a turnout (switch) in track work?
• Which term describes the signal aspect that an operator reads to determine safety indications?
• What does ADA accessibility cover in rail systems?
• Area where no clearance exists for a person to stand between a Light Rail Vehicle and an adjacent structure?
• What is the term for when no train is allowed to enter a block while another train is in the block?
• Which of the following is NOT a name of one of the seven switches?
• Which term describes zones located in green band operation?
• Which system automatically enforces speed limits, movement authorities, and enforced stops to prevent collisions and overspeed derailments?
• Which term describes a switch over which a trailing move can be made regardless of switch point position?
• What device is used for relaying signals indicating conditions on the right-of-way?
• What is an emergency brake?
• Headway is defined as the time or distance between successive trains; its significance in subway operations is
• Which feature is commonly included to meet ADA accessibility on rail systems?
• Which braking is irretrievable by activation of the red mushroom button?
• What term designates the area along the mainline track’s centerline within 15 feet?
• A service pattern may include which service levels?
• Which term is not part of the catenary system's three main wires?
• What is the point on a track beyond which a train on an adjacent track would interfere?
• A signal at interlockings in ABS territory governing the use of an interlocking and the block beyond, protected by TSS?
• What device is mounted to the running rail to keep wheels in line at switches?
• Automatic Block Signals are protected by which system?
• One of the two operating modes is Cab Mode Speed. What is the other?
• What term describes a track arrangement that uses a switch and guard rails to divert trains and is used only for Entrance or Exit?
• What does signal clearance mean and when is it granted?
• What is a deadman switch or pedal?
• A flashing white light mounted on the roof of the LRV, automatically activated when the horn, whistle or gong are activated and can be manually activated.
• Which term best describes all rail vehicles used on the system, including passenger cars and locomotives?
• What is overhead catenary?
• The Modified Emergency block is governed by which type of control?
• What is tap-in/tap-out?
• What are audible announcements in rail systems?
• Which term best describes the signaling equipment that provides both audible and visual cues?
• Which statement describes tactile warning strips?
• What is a stored value card?
• On the master controller, which braking value is the highest retrievable setting?
• Define Positive Train Control (PTC) and its primary objective.
• What is a contactless payment system?
• What is condition-based maintenance (CBM)?
• What are buff and draft forces in coupling?
• Which of the following is true about an incident report?
• Which term describes an area with defined limits where only one train may operate at a time under block signaling?
• What does the term rolling stock refer to?
• Which term is used for the device described as enabling movement from one track to another?
• Which description matches condition-based maintenance (CBM)?
• What are the high intensity lights mounted on top of the LRV called?
• Which item is not part of the traction power system?
• Which item is a component of a turnout?
• What is a traction power substation?
• What triggers an emergency brake and what should operators do?
• What term denotes information conveyed by a signal?
• What term describes tire-mounted vehicles equipped with flanged steel wheels that travel on tracks and roadways?
• What is a Junction in railway terminology?
• What is the platform edge safety line?
• What is emergency egress and what systems support it?
• What constitutes revenue service?
• Which device is located in line-of-sight restricted areas to indicate train occupancy?
• Deadman’s switch in safety systems is
• What is a timetable?
• What term describes trains operating with paying passengers and collecting fare revenue?
• Dwell time measures which aspect of rail service?
• What is a work order?
• What are visual announcements?
• Which elements influence cycle time in rail operations?
• What term designates a point designated by yard limits signs which separates the mainline from the yard when exiting at the CROF and NWROF facilities?
• Which term refers to the switch position aligned to allow diverging train movement over a track switch?
• What is the highest retrievable braking on the master controller?
• Operation on sections outside CST or ABS territories where operators rely on visual observation is called?
• What is the system of overhead wires and support structures which supplies electrical power to trains?
• Which system monitors train movements and enforces safety rules to prevent collisions or overspeed?
• What is a traction inverter and what role does it play in AC traction systems?
• Which statement about tap-in/tap-out is true?
• What is Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) in rail maintenance contexts?
• Which block type is governed by manual control during an emergency scenario?
• Buff and draft forces are associated with which phase of operation?
• What is regenerative braking and what is a key benefit?
• Movement of trains over a mainline track in the direction opposite to that prescribed by the rules for that track.
• Excessively long dwell time at stations primarily reduces which aspect of rail operations?
• Written instructions issued by Rail Operations Management containing temporary instructions or modifications to the rules for a defined period.
• What is a Route in signaling and how is it established?
• What term describes a switch that allows a trailing move regardless of the switch point position?
• Which statement about how a route is established is correct?
• Which voltage is typical for DC traction in metro systems?
• A device used to manually align a powered switch.
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) in maintenance is designed to:
• Which statement correctly distinguishes a revenue vehicle from a non-revenue vehicle?
• What indicator governs movement into and out of end-of-line stations?
• What is Automatic Train Control (ATC) and what is its primary safety function?
• The wheel-rail interface refers to
• Which statement best defines dwell time in rail operations?
• What is a pantograph and its function?
• What is a service pattern?
• What is the term for the pair of wheels and axles forming an axle set on a rail vehicle?
• During peak periods, transit agencies typically adjust service by which action?
• Which statement defines route setting?
• What is the name for a written instruction issued by Rail Operations Management that permanently changes the rules?
• What are tactile warning strips?
• What are platform screen doors and their purpose?
• Revenue service refers to operations where trains carry
• Where is a pantograph typically mounted on a train?
• What is a service disruption?
• Explain the concept of clearance in rail design and its importance.
• What is Automatic Train Protection (ATP) and how is it used?
• Which term describes movement of trains or equipment without passengers, typically for maintenance, repositioning, or testing?
• What is the term used to describe the lowest form of braking on the master controller?
• Which of the following is a valid name of a switch listed among the seven?
• In CBTC, what replaces fixed track blocks to determine safe spacing?
• What is headway in rail operations?
• In rail operations, which scenario best describes non-revenue service?
• Which statement about a work order is true?
• What does a red signal aspect indicate and what must the train do?
• What term describes movement of trains or equipment without passengers?
• In locomotive propulsion, what is notching and why is it important for speed control?
• Which system prevents conflicting train routes by coordinating signals and track switches?
• What is a Track Circuit and what does it detect?
• What is fare enforcement?
• What causes wheel flange climb and how is it mitigated?
• What is an interlocking in railway signaling?
• What is an Overhead Contact System (OCS) and its relation to power delivery?
• What is block signaling?
• Which term refers to areas located in green band operation?
• What term describes the combination of colors and position of a fixed signal as viewed by the operator?
• In signaling, what is a block?
• What term defines a track segment connecting the yard or yard tracks with the mainline?
• Platform screen doors are best described as
• What is right-of-way (ROW) in rail?
• Which component is mounted on the roof of a train to collect electrical power from overhead lines?
• Which term describes a qualified employee who guides and instructs operators of equipment who are not certified to operate on DART tracks?
• What is the standard rail gauge value in millimeters?
• Define revenue vehicle and provide an example.
• Which option correctly defines visual announcements?
• What are warning devices that are automatically activated, such as bells and flashers?
• Which statement best captures the purpose of standard emergency procedures?
• Which term refers to the switch position aligned to allow straight movement over a track switch?
• Define Turnout (switch) and what are its components?
• Differentiate between Automatic Train Operation (ATO) and manual operation.
• What is the Incident Command System (ICS) used for in rail emergency response?
• What term refers to a switch that can be used for trailing moves regardless of switch point position?
• Which component is the wheel-axle assembly under a rail vehicle that supports and allows steering around curves?
• What is a depot or yard in a rail system?
• In railway information systems, PID is best described as what?
• A device that can be mechanically, pneumatically, and electrically connected is a what?
• What is an incident report?
• What is a pantograph and its function?
• What term describes the overhead wire system that includes the contact wire, feeder wires, messenger wires, and hanger to power LRVs via a pantograph?
• The roof-mounted lighting device that can be activated automatically by train horn/gong and manually is called what?
• What term refers to two connecting switches that provide a route from one track to another in both directions (Entrance & Exit)?
• What is a primary benefit of regenerative braking?
• What defines a peak period in transit operations?
• Which term defines the area 15 feet from the centerline of any mainline track?
• Which statement best describes how CBTC determines safe spacing between trains?
• What is derailment protection?
• The operation (within defined limits) of trains in both directions on a single track on the mainline.
• Which feature is directly associated with reducing derailment risk and its consequences?
• What is a Feeder in traction power distribution?
• Which items are examples of fare media used by urban rail systems?
• Which term describes the composition and identity of a train's cars and locomotives?
• What does ADA accessibility require for rail vehicles and stations?
• What is fare media?
• Which roof-mounted device collects electrical power from the overhead 845-volt system?
• What is interlocking in railway signaling?
• Which term refers to a territory where cab signals are used to convey information to the operator?
• A defined area with limits is called what?
• What is fare media and give examples used by urban rail systems?
• Define DC traction and provide an example.
• Which term refers to the configured set of rail vehicles forming a train?
• What is a track circuit?
• Wheel slip and adhesion management involves
• The Moveble point frog switch (continuous) is a type of switch. Which is the name for it?
• What is trip time?
• What is a signaling block and its purpose?
• Which roof-mounted device is used to collect power from overhead lines?
• What is an audible announcement and why is it used in stations?
• Which feature aligns with train doors to separate passengers from the track when trains are away?
• Which term describes the flags, lights, and/or personnel used by work crews for protection while working on or about the track?
• What term describes an arrangement of signals, switches, and control apparatus interconnected to permit safe train movement over routes only if non-conflicting conditions exist?
• How is cycle time defined in rail operations?
• Rail gauge is defined as
• Which component is mounted to the running rail to keep wheels in around curves?
• What is right-of-way and how is it protected?
• What term describes a vehicle equipped with flanged steel wheels that can travel on both rails and roadways?
• In which type of rail systems is the third rail commonly used?
• What is a Substation in rail power systems and what does it supply?
• Which speed category requires stopping short of obstructions and is not to exceed 25 MPH?
• Which term describes the protection measures used by work crews on or near the track?
• What does Crew Resource Management (CRM) aim to optimize in rail operations?
• Which switch name describes a switch that can be operated by either hand or power?
• What is preventive maintenance (PM)?
• Which device is located in line-of-sight restricted areas and provides train occupancy information?
• A diverging track section between mainline tracks used for storing, re-routing, or reversing direction of trains is called?
• What is the system of overhead wires including the contact wire, feeder wires, messenger wires, and hanger which supplies power to the LRV via a pantograph?
• In light signaling for LRVs, what term refers to the high intensity forward lighting mounted on the vehicle?
• Which term describes the movement of trains or equipment without passengers for maintenance, repositioning, or test purposes?
• Which term refers to a switch that must be properly aligned prior to making a trailing movement?
• Define AC traction and provide an example.
• What is a Passenger Information Display (PID) and its purpose?
• Define Positive Train Control (PTC) and name two safety outcomes it mitigates.
• Which statement best describes a feeder in traction power distribution?
• Which components are included in the clearance envelope?
• What does the clearance envelope refer to in railway safety?
• Which statement best defines loading gauge?
• What is a Catenary and where is it used?