Maintenance-of-Way
Track inspection, hi-rail operations, and the people who keep the infrastructure safe.
- Geometry Car
A geometry car is a purpose-built, instrumented rail vehicle that measures track geometry — gauge, cross-level, surface, alignment, and curvature — with precision sensors to identify defects against FRA standards.
- Hi-Rail Vehicle
A hi-rail vehicle is a rubber-tired truck or SUV equipped with retractable steel rail wheels that allow it to operate on both road and railroad track.
- Maintenance-of-Way (MOW)
Maintenance-of-Way refers to the department, workforce, and activities responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining railroad track and infrastructure.
- Roadmaster
A roadmaster is the field supervisor responsible for the maintenance, inspection, and regulatory compliance of track and infrastructure within an assigned territory.
- Roadway Worker In Charge (RWIC)
A Roadway Worker In Charge is the qualified individual responsible for establishing and maintaining on-track protection for a group of workers fouling the track or right-of-way.
- Track Inspector
A track inspector is an FRA-qualified railroad employee responsible for visually inspecting assigned track territory on a defined cycle to identify defects and ensure compliance with FRA Track Safety Standards.