What does NORAC require regarding crew member responsibilities and duties?

• A. Each crew member must understand and comply with applicable rules, communicate clearly, and perform assigned tasks safely.
• B. The dispatcher handles all responsibilities.
• C. Only the chief engineer must know the rules.
• D. Rules are optional during emergencies.

Answer: (A)

In NORAC operations, every crew member is responsible for knowing and following the applicable rules, communicating clearly with others, and performing assigned tasks safely. This positions all crew members to actively contribute to safe, coordinated train operations rather than relying on someone else to handle everything. Clear communication helps prevent miscommunication that can lead to accidents, and safely performing assigned tasks ensures that operations stay within established rules and safety practices.

The idea that the dispatcher handles all responsibilities isn’t correct, because while dispatchers manage traffic and directives, crew members must still know and apply the rules and carry out their assigned duties. It isn’t correct that only the chief engineer needs to know the rules, since every crew member shares the responsibility to understand and follow them. And rules aren’t optional during emergencies—they guide actions, with emergency procedures providing the proper avenues for deviation or remediation while maintaining safety.