When transmitting a track restriction directly to a train, the restriction should be issued in which format?

• A. (train ID) do not exceed (speed) between (location) and (location)
• B. Train ID: Do not exceed (speed) between (location) and (location)
• C. Between (location) and (location), the train ID may not exceed (speed)
• D. The restriction must specify the train ID and maximum speed

Answer: (A)

When a restriction is sent directly to a train, it must clearly identify who is restricted, what the limit is, and where it applies. The clearest format is to put the train ID first, then the directive “do not exceed,” followed by the speed, and finally the two locations that define the track segment. This ordering makes it instantly obvious which train must comply, what limit to observe, and exactly where on the track the limit applies, minimizing the chance of misinterpretation during a critical moment.

Using a format with punctuation like a colon after the train ID can introduce reading or transmission errors, and placing the location information before the train identifier can obscure which train is affected. A statement that only mentions the train ID and maximum speed without specifying the boundaries leaves the geographic scope ambiguous. So the standard, unambiguous way to transmit is: the train ID, then do not exceed, the speed, between the first location and the second location.