A dedicated window of time and track capacity assigned by a dispatcher for a train to move through a territory. It accounts for the train's speed, length, and priority relative to other traffic sharing the same physical rails. Securing a path is essential for preventing bottlenecks and ensuring smooth traffic flow across busy corridors.
Heard on the job
Dispatch says we lose our path if we don't get this air leak fixed in the next ten minutes.
Also heard as
- slot
Related terms
Train order
A formal written directive from a dispatcher dictating the movement of a train.
Track warrant
A written authority from the dispatcher, copied by radio, that lets a train occupy a set stretch of main track.
Fleeting
A signal system feature that automatically clears a route for consecutive trains.