At Prohibited Spotting Distance locations, employees providing point protection must ensure the movement stops a minimum of _______ feet from derails in the derailing position or end of track locations.

• A. 10 feet
• B. 25 feet
• C. 35 feet
• D. 50 feet

Answer: (B)

The necessary idea is to keep a safe buffer between the movement under protection and any derailed equipment or the end of track. In Prohibited Spotting Distance locations, this buffer ensures the train can be stopped in time and workers have room to observe, respond, and retreat if needed.

Twenty-five feet is the standard minimum because it provides a practical margin for a normal stopping distance and human reaction time without unduly hindering operations. A shorter distance, like ten feet, wouldn’t give enough clearance from a derailed piece or the track end, while longer distances would slow movement more than required for safety in these spots. So twenty-five feet best balances safety with workable operations.