With the dispatcher's permission, what must occur to return an occupied track to service?

The correct choice relates to ensuring that all equipment remaining on the track has the proper authority to be there before the track can be returned to service. This step is crucial because it involves confirming that all trains or rail vehicles on that track are adequately authorized to occupy it, thereby preventing any collisions or unsafe situations.

In the context of railroad operations, the concept of authority refers to the permissions given to trains and equipment to operate on specific tracks. If equipment remains on the track without the necessary authorization, it poses a significant safety risk as it might lead to operational conflicts once the track is reopened for use.

While removing all equipment from the track and notifying crew members are important procedures in the overall process of managing railroad operations, they do not directly address the requirement to verify authority for equipment that will still be present when the track is put back into service. Conducting a safety inspection of the track is also important, but it comes after confirming that the remaining equipment is authorized and does not precede the actual return of the track to service.