Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Baccalaureate

Power Distance (PD) is a fundamental cultural dimension that defines the extent to which less powerful members of a society accept and expect that power is distributed unequally. This concept is crucial for comprehending societal structures and interactions across different nations.

High Power Distance Cultures

In high Power Distance cultures, individuals generally accept and expect a clear social hierarchy. Everyone has their rightful place, and the acceptance and exercise of authority come naturally. For example, in Japanese culture, this hierarchical understanding is often viewed as normal and natural from childhood. This contrasts sharply with the Western notion of authoritarianism, which often carries negative connotations.

• Power Concentration:

Essential English Vocabulary and Phrases

Common Phrasal Verbs

• Stay on: To continue in a place, position, or situation.
• Save up: To accumulate money for future use.
• Look up: To search for something on the internet or in a book.
• Look up to: To admire someone or something.

Money and Education

• Earning money: Getting money for work that you do.
• Allowance: An amount of money given regularly.
• Changed my mind: Had a change of opinion.
• Encourage: To inspire or motivate.
• Skip: To avoid going to; to miss.
• Immediately: Straight away.
• Career: A chosen pursuit; a profession or occupation.
• Degree: An academic title conferred by universities and colleges upon completion of studies, or as an honorary recognition of achievement.
• A-level: Exams which students in England and

Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall Methodology is used by most federal and state agencies and businesses that rely on these agencies. It is also used by the vast majority of projects that are not software-centric. It utilizes a phased and structured approach to software development. It assumes every requirement of a project can be identified before design and coding begins. It tells the team's developers everything that needs to be in the software before it is up and running. It follows a waterfall approach. Development teams only have one chance to get each aspect of a project right.

Steps in Waterfall Methodology

1. Requirements Analysis
2. Design
3. Coding
4. Integration
5. Testing
6. Deployment

Traditional "waterfall" development depends on a perfect understanding of... Continue reading "Waterfall vs. Agile: Choosing the Right Project Management Method" »

Benefits of Supplier Partnerships

• Partnering can lead to continuous improvements in key areas such as processes, products, customer-supplier relationships, and customer satisfaction.
• Spreads risks, creates team flexibility, and reduces costs.
• Internal partnering can improve relationships among employees and departments, enhancing competitiveness.

Mandatory Requirements of Supplier Partnerships

1. Supplier and buyer personnel who use the products should meet to identify and implement necessary improvements.
2. Negotiations should focus on achieving the optimal deal considering price, features, quality, and delivery, rather than solely on price.
3. The supplier's quality process should guarantee product quality, eliminating the buyer's need for inspections.
4. The

Stop Indications in CTC Territory

At a signal displaying a Stop indication, if no conflicting movement is evident, the train will be governed as follows:

• A crew member must immediately contact the Control Operator (CO), unless the train is within Track and Time (T&T) limits or entering T&T limits from any point other than either end.
• When a train receives these instructions: “After stopping (train) at (location) has authority to pass signal displaying Stop indication,” the train must then move at restricted speed.

Manual Interlockings Operating Procedures

At a signal displaying a Stop indication in manual interlockings, the crew must immediately contact the Control Operator (CO).

Before proceeding into or continuing in CTC Territory,... Continue reading "Railway Operating Rules: Signal Indications and Switch Procedures" »

Back Up Movements

Back Up Movements – The crew ensures the movement will not:

• Exceed the limit of the train's authority.
• Exceed the train's length.
• Enter or foul a private or public crossing except as provided by Rule 6.23.1 (provide warning over road crossings).
• Be made into or within yard limits, restricted limits, interlocking limits, drawbridges, railroad crossings at grade, or TB Form B limits.

Back Up Movement (Blocking)

Back Up Movement (Blocking) – Before granting permission for a backup movement to pick up a crew member, do the following:

• Place a block or restrictive tag in the segment where the movement will occur.
• Where overlapping authorities exist, stop all trains within the overlapping limits that will be affected by the move.
• Provide

Railroad Operating Procedures and Signal Compliance

Green Flag or Yellow Flag Clearance

Proceed after a green flag or traveling 4 miles beyond the yellow flag, provided the Train Dispatcher (TD) has verified that no Temporary Block (TB) or Temporary Restriction (TW) is in effect specifying a temporary speed restriction at that location.

Display of Red Flag or Red Light

Red Flag Display: A red flag indicates where trains must stop. When approaching a red flag or red light, the train must stop short of it and not proceed unless the employee in charge gives instructions, including the milepost (MP) location of the red flag/light.

Headlight Failure Protocol

Headlight Failure: If the train's headlight fails, ditch lights must be activated, if so equipped.... Continue reading "Railroad Operating Rules: Signal Indications and Movement Procedures" »

Conditions for Movement Authority

• Have received a proceed signal at the next control point.
• Have occupied the next control point.
• Have reached the end of CTC or Manual interlocking limits.

Relaying Authority to Pass a Stop Signal

When direct radio communication is possible, do not allow another employee to relay the authority to pass a signal displaying a Stop indication. When another employee must relay this information, the employee must be qualified on the GCOR.

Switch Correspondence

A flashing switch indicates the switch is out of correspondence. If any of the following conditions are observed, the switch at that location cannot be considered lined and locked unless otherwise advised by signal personnel or another qualified employee at the location:... Continue reading "Railway Operating Rules: Signals, Switches, and Movement Authority" »

Track Release Time Procedures

When reporting track release time, ensure the following details are communicated:

• Location being reported past or Track Warrant (TW) limits that were released.
• Time Track Warrant (TW) was partially released.
• Question: “Is that correct, over?”

Overlap Circuit Management

When a report is received, or the Train Dispatcher (TD) becomes aware a train has passed an overlap circuit without permission:

• Advise the train involved to stop and remain stopped until further instructions are received from the Chief Dispatcher (CD).
• Immediately notify the Chief Dispatcher (CD).

Contingent Authority Issuance

Do not issue Track Warrant (TW) authority contingent upon a condition. Issue authority only after any authorized train movement... Continue reading "Essential Railway Operating Procedures for Safety" »

Operational Procedures and Authority Confirmation

40.7.2 Repeated Correctly

After issuing authority or any instruction, and it has been repeated back correctly, or the "OK" has been acknowledged, respond with “That is correct”.

Confirming Limits Before Granting Authority

1. If authority can be granted as requested, restate the limits to the requesting employee for confirmation.
2. If confirmation is received from the employee, issue authority with no change in the confirmed limits.
3. If unable to grant authority with limits as requested, state the limits that can be given, asking the employee if they are usable.
4. If changed limits are usable, require the employee to repeat the changed limits to confirm understanding before issuing.

Authorizing Return Movement