When directing a shoving or backing movement via radio, what must the employee specify?

In directing a shoving or backing movement via radio, specifying a distance to be traveled is crucial for ensuring safety and operational efficiency. This allows all involved parties to have a clear understanding of how far the movement will extend, which is vital for maintaining situational awareness and preventing accidents. Providing this information helps the crew gauge the limits of their movement, manage space correctly, and coordinate with other actions or trains in the area effectively.

Other options might include information that can supplement the communication but are not as critical for the specific action of shoving or backing. For instance, while knowing the type of train could be relevant, it does not directly impact the immediate actions or decisions being made during the shoving movement. Similarly, weather conditions and the schedule of the train are important factors in overall operations but do not specifically dictate the parameters of the shoving or backing movement being directed at that moment. Thus, the requirement to communicate the distance ensures clarity and reinforces safe practices in the operation.