Unit of competency details

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to develop out-of-course rail traffic plans and schedules in accordance with workplace procedures and the requirements of relevant safeworking regulations and codes of practice. It includes analysing service and/or business requirements, establishing rail traffic requirements, and communicating altered or additional rail traffic movement requirements.

Licensing, legislative or certification requirements may be applicable to this unit.

Work is performed under some supervision, generally in a team environment.

This unit is intended for persons who are required to develop out-of-course rail traffic plans and schedules as part of work activities.

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Analyse service and business requirements 

1.1 Customer is consulted and requirements outside normal operations are identified to establish additional or altered rail service requirements

1.2 Altered or additional rail service provision is recorded according to organisational procedures

1.3 Where applicable, additional resource requirements are identified

2 Establish rail traffic requirements 

2.1 Rail traffic requirement is established to ensure efficient management of the network

2.2 Rail traffic specifications are confirmed to ensure that they meet network operating requirements and restrictions

2.3 Train section run times for rail traffic are established and plotted on the appropriate train graphs and/or diagrams

3 Communicate altered or additional rail traffic movement 

3.1 Documentation relating to the altered or additional rail traffic movement is issued in accordance with organisational procedures

3.2 Alterations and cancellations affecting rail traffic running times are communicated to the appropriate customer, network manager and/or rail operator as required

3.3 Documentation relating to the altered or additional rail traffic movement is stored in accordance with organisational procedures

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge: 

• Legislated rail safety requirements, including acts and regulations from each applicable state and territory, together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines

• Workplace procedures for developing train plans and schedules, including office and customer service procedures, communication protocols, and procedures for completing relevant records and documentation

• Rail traffic services provided by the organisation

• Details of approved rail traffic on the network

• Timetables

• Safe working systems and requirements

• Relevant network interface agreements

• Issues or problems that can occur when developing rail traffic plans and schedules and how they may be addressed

• Relevant documentation requirements

Required skills: 

• Communicate and negotiate effectively with others when developing train plans and schedules

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relating to the development of rail traffic plans and schedules

• Interpret train control diagrams and graphs

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation and enter data relating to developing rail traffic plans and schedules

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when developing train plans and schedules

• Rectify issues or problems that may occur when developing train plans and schedules in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Operate technology

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and/or equipment, and/or
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT  

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Rail traffic may include: 

• all rail vehicles approved to operate on the network

Organisational policies and procedures include: 

• all relevant documentation appropriate to developing rail traffic plans and schedules

Special operating requirements and restrictions may include: 

• train consist
• out of gauge loading restrictions
• track condition
• specific loading and unloading requirements for passengers or freight
• track maintenance vehicles

Internal customers may include: 

• resource controllers
• area controllers and/or signallers
• workplace’s emergency services
• yard and station staff
• crew transport service
• engineering groups
• train crewing personnel
• adjacent control areas
• business groups within the workplace

External customers may include: 

• business groups
• rail operators
• contracted companies
• interface network managers

Communication systems may include: 

• telephones
• radio network
• electronic, including email, intranet and internet
• fax machines
• written notices and memos
• oral and signed communications and forms

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include: 

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Information and documents may include: 

• workplace procedures and job specification
• train timetables
• electronic management systems
• operation manuals
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements, including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable procedures and codes may include: 

• legislated rail safety requirements, including acts and regulations from each applicable state or territory, together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines
• relevant state and territory codes of practice and safeworking system requirements
• relevant Australian standards and related requirements
• relevant state and territory legislation relating to:

• environmental protection
• OH&S