Overview
Railway traffic controllers coordinate passenger and freight train traffic on railways. They are employed by rail transport companies. Marine traffic regulators monitor and regulate coastal and inland marine traffic within assigned waterways. They are employed by port, harbour, canal and lock authorities and by the Canadian Coast Guard.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Railway traffic controllers
Operate and monitor centralized traffic control systems to coordinate and follow railway traffic
Chart train movements, calculate arrival and departure times and record rail traffic information
Issue instructions to control the movement of passenger and freight train traffic and on-track mobile maintenance equipment
Receive, record and relay train instructions to train crew by hand or radio telephone
May supervise and train other railway traffic controllers.
Marine traffic regulators
Direct and monitor vessel movements using radar or closed circuit monitors, remote radio systems and other telecommunication equipment
Obtain position, course, speed and estimated arrival time of vessels and monitor vessel progress through traffic zone
Issue clearance instructions to vessels, advise vessels of traffic volumes and weather conditions, and relay information to next marine traffic control sector
Report accidents, distress signals, navigational hazards and other emergencies to authorities
Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent marine control sectors and with vessels within area of jurisdiction
Maintain log of vessel movements, size and structure.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
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$91,829
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Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
26expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Railway traffic controllers usually require completion of secondary school and several years of experience in the railway industry.
Up to 35 weeks of a combination of classroom and on-the-job training is provided for railway traffic controllers.
Railway traffic controllers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
Additional information
There is little mobility between traffic controlling occupations in the railway and marine sectors.
With experience, railway traffic controllers may progress to supervisory positions in rail transport operations.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators in B.C.
- Canadian Rail Operating Rules Certificate - Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
Canadian Rail Operating Rules Certificate - Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators
To work as Railway traffic controllers in B.C., you need the appropriate Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate. Click the link below for more information.
Work Experience
Work experience required
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.