What is the maximum allowable speed while working in a yard?

The correct answer is a speed that allows stopping within half the range of vision, which emphasizes the importance of safety and situational awareness while operating within a yard. This specific guideline is designed to ensure that crews can react promptly to any unexpected hazards, obstacles, or other people working in the area. Given that yards are often bustling with activity and have varying conditions, this approach minimizes the risk of accidents or collisions.

Setting speed limits based strictly on visibility empowers the conductor to prioritize safety over arbitrary figures. Situations within a yard can vary greatly, and the ability to stop within a reasonable distance based on what can be seen directly in front is a sensible measure. Conditions such as visibility helps workers operate safely in sometimes congested environments where quick responses are essential.

In contrast, other suggested limits, such as 20 MPH or 30 MPH, do not account for the unique hazards present in yard operations. Restricted speed is a more general concept that implies caution but doesn’t explicitly tie speed to the conductor's ability to react based on visual confirmation of safety. Thus, while all suggested speed parameters exist in specific contexts, stopping within half the range of vision remains the most critical criterion for safety in a yard setting.