Which method is used to establish working limits on controlled track?

The method used to establish working limits on controlled track is Exclusive Track Occupancy (ETO). This procedure is critical in situations where maintenance or other work is being performed on the tracks. By implementing ETO, the dispatcher grants exclusive rights to the work crew to occupy a designated section of track, ensuring that no trains can enter this area during the specified timeframe. This is essential for the safety of the personnel working on the tracks, as it minimizes the risk of accidents involving trains.

When ETO is in effect, it creates a clear, documented understanding of where train movement is restricted, allowing workers to perform their jobs without the concern of oncoming rail traffic. Other methods, while they may involve some aspect of managing train traffic and operations, do not specifically provide the same level of control and protection that ETO does in establishing safe working limits on controlled track.