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METRORail Track Access

To ensure the safety of personnel and safe movement of trains, any organization that needs to perform work within the METRORail Safety Zone is required to follow the METRO Track Access Procedures outlined below. If METRO determines personnel services are necessary, METRO assigns the personnel, and work isn't allowed without those services.

In most cases, once a Trackway Allocation Request Form is submitted by 5 p.m. Tuesday, work can begin the following week. If you still have questions after reviewing this page, email TrackAccess@RideMETRO.org

Aerial photo of METRORail train

Track Access Procedures


All contractors or individuals must complete the METRO Roadway Worker Protection Course. The course is offered online in English and Spanish. To register for the course, complete the Roadway Worker Protection Training Request Form and send it to Track.Safety@RideMETRO.org.

 

Submit the Trackway Allocation Request Form by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the week of the scheduled work. Email the completed form to TrackAccess@RideMETRO.org.

Attend a Trackway Allocation meeting to review the scope of work being done and discuss any issues that need to be addressed before work is to commence. You must attend this meeting at least one week prior to the date of the requested work. If needed, these meetings will be held on Wednesdays at 10:00 am at the Rail Operations Center (ROC) Facility, located at 1601 W Bellfort Blvd.

All interested parties will receive a Track Access Schedule via email by the close of business each Friday. The Track Access Schedule is published weekly and indicates the authorized work for the following week. The weekly schedule runs from Sunday at 12:01 a.m. through Saturday at 11:59 p.m.

Once approved, you will receive your Work Permit as a PDF via email. A Work Permit is a written permit authorizing approved work activities within the METRORail Safety Zone.

A Work Permit is valid only for the date and times indicated on the Work Permit and must be available at the work site for inspection.

The Work Permit establishes work area limits, and conditions must not be exceeded without authorization from Rail Control (713-843-5499 or 713-982-8166).

Everyone working in the Safety Zone must always have their METRORail Identification Card with them. The cards are issued by METRORail and are valid for 1 year.

All Employees in Charge (EIC) of work crews or individuals must notify Rail Control prior to entering the Trackway and again immediately upon leaving the Trackway.


Additional Steps for Red Tag Procedure

Steps 10 through 13 apply when working under SOP003 Red Tag Procedure (OCS power removed and grounded).


You will receive your Work Permit as a PDF via email before getting a Red Tag. The Work Permit must be at the work site before a Red Tag is issued. The Red Tag will be issued at the work site.

Prior to beginning work under Red Tag Procedures, your designated representative or Employee in Charge (EIC) will meet with Traction Power personnel, who will identify work limits and demonstrate power removal. Once complete, Red Tag and Red Tag Form will be issued.

Your designated representative or Employee in Charge (EIC) must maintain a method of communication with the Rail Control Center, Traction Power designee and the METRORail Station Office at all times.

It's mandatory that the Red Tag holder remains at the work site with the Work Permit, Red Tag and Red Tag Form. Promptly return the Red Tag to the appropriate Traction Power personnel after the work is complete.

Monthly Work Permits

A monthly work permit may be requested for work that is scheduled to run multiple days.

  • A Work Permit for a multiple-day project will be issued for a period not to exceed one month.
  • Submit the Trackway Allocation Request form for your monthly Work Permit on the last Tuesday or week of each month for the next month. The start date is the first day of the month and the end date is the last day of the month.

Common Questions


Costs

Permits and training are free.

Charges per hour are:

PositionHourly Rate
Certified Flagger/Rail Operator:$27.00 
Traction Power Maintainer:$38.55 (all Traction Power support services require two maintainers)
Supervisor:$41.31 
MTA Police Officer:$36.00 
Bus Bridge:$100.06 per hour per Bus Operator

METRO will prepare and send you an invoice within 30 days of completion of the work. Payment is due within 30 days of receipt of the invoice.

Terminology

A Red Tag is required to work within a ten-foot radius of the OCS necessitating a power down.

It’s the area within 15 feet of the centerline of any track.

The Work Zone is the area of work within defined limits, where movement of rail equipment is governed by the Flagger. The Safety Zone is the Trackway, which may include other areas such as the street, shared poles on sidewalks and substations.

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