Railway Signalling and Communications condition will fail to the safe side not

Maintenance Management causing dangerous situation for train

movement.
Signalling system – purpose of signalling
Foolproof – is a product or system design
system is primarily to control and
concept that is designed so that humans
regulate the movement of trains safely
do not fail or that failure does not lead
and efficiently.
to a major accident.

■Objective of Signalling
■Types of Signalling System
❖ To regulate the movement of trains so
❖Block is a section of rail track use for
that they run safely at maximum
determining how far a train has travelled
permissible speeds.
between signal.
❖ To maintain a safe distance between
❖Fixed Block System – track is divided
trains that are running on the same line
into fixed parts.
in the same direction.
❖Moving Block System – allows the
❖ To ensure the safety of 2 or more
stopping point to be inside a track
trains that have to cross or approach
detection device. The trains Limit of
each other.
Movement Authority is continually
❖ To provide facilities for safe and modified depending on the exact
efficient shunting. position reported from the train.

❖ To regulate the arrival and departure ❖Sign – is a tool that shows the form,
of trains from the station yard. color, sound emitted and other

❖ To ensure the safety of the trains at characteristics of a sign what the

level crossing when the train is required individual giving it wants to convey to

to cross the path of road vehicles. other people.

■Signal Safety Functions ❖Sign Marker – a system that uses its

own shape, color and other
Fail-safe - railway signalling is a
characteristics to signify a position,
concept where a signalling system
direction or condition.
components being in safety critical fault
❖Signals – positioned along the track , ❖Trackside Signal – are given from a
pass information to the train operators position along the track.
of passing train.
❖Vehicle Signal – are given from
- Recognize easily vehicles to persons outside the vehicle.
- Understand signal indication
❖Cab Signal – are given in the driver’s
quickly
cab to the driver.
- Must be unambiguous
- Information should be always ❖Hand Signal – given manually by a
be given in the same way person.

❖Mechanical Signal – given by different

position of object.
According to UIC CODE 734 , railway
lines can be divided into 3 classes ❖Light Signal – given by different light
according to speed and related for of arrangements and use of different
signalization. colors.

Conventional lines – up to 160kph – ❖Positive Signal – give the information

signalling by trackside possible by the presence of an indication.

Lines with speed – up to 200kph- ❖Negative Signal – give the information

trackside signals still possible by the absence of an indication.

High speed lines – over 200kph – only ❖Fixed Signal – always show the same
cab signalling possible indication.

❖Switchable ( multiple aspect ) Signal –

can switch between different aspect.
■Kinds of Signals
❖Color Light Signal – with aspects
❖Optical Signal – suitable to give
identified by different colors.
detailed information including the
location of the signal. ❖Position Light Signal – with aspects
distinguished using different light
❖ Audible Signal – suitable to attract
formations of the same color.
the person’s attention independently,
to warn of potentially dangerous
situations.
❖Color Position Light Signal – aspects ■Shunting Signals
are shown by using different light
- Movements for making up
formation of different colors.
trains, moving cars to one
track to another.
- Shunting movements are very
■Signal Units
low speed that allows
❖Multi-unit Signal – a separated lamp is stopping short of any vehicle
used for each color. or obstruction.

❖Searchlight Signal – apertures are ■Interlocking System

switched mechanically in front of a lamp
- Ensures that trains move
which is always lit.
safely and the train must be
■ LED Signal ( Light Emitting Diode ) protected against moves that
would interfere with its path.
- the advantage of LED is it has
- Signals can only permit a train
long life compared with filament lamp.
movement of all movable track
❖Distributed Light Source – LED units elements are in proper
with a distributed light source consists position and locked.
of several LEDs. - A train can only be permitted

❖Multicolor LED – each units provides to enter a section which is

colors red, yellow, and green. clear of other rolling stock.

■Movable Track Elements

- Fouling points is the

intersection of the outer limits
of the clearance profile of
both tracks.

■Main and Distant Signals

- These signals indicate if the

train has a stop or is allowed
to continue until the next main
signal or similar block limiting
point.
Arrangements of Several Movable Track ❖Slip Crossing – combines the function
Elements of diamond crossings and points. These
single slip crossings as well as double
❖Crossover – two simple sets of points.
ones.

❖Double Crossover – scissor crossing,

two crossover meets together.

❖Double Points or Three-way points -

permit the branching of single track into
three.

❖Ladder – different sets of points with

the same point angle to split up one
track into three or more parallel track.
( commonly used in yards )
❖Interlacing of Tracks – provide
❖Diamond Crossing – crossing of two transition to single track movement
tracks. without the laying of points on short
section of the double line.
■Coupled Elements - Railway vehicle has reached a
certain point with its front end.
- Operated by the same
operational element and can ■Means of Detection
only be switched together in
- Wheels of trains
regular operation
- Electrical connection between
■Unidirectional Locking the rails via wheels, axles,
bogies, and others.
- One independent and one
- Body of rail vehicle
dependent element exist.
- Acoustic waves or vibrations
■Simple Bidirectional Locking from moving railway vehicles.

- Two or more elements are ■Spot Wheel Detectors

interlocked that way one
❖Mechanical Detectors – oldest form of
combination of positions is
wheel detector. Arm is mounted on the
impossible.
rail on the inner or outer side. When a
■Generations of Interlocking System wheel passes the detector, the arm is

❖Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical depressed and the wheel is detected.

Interlocking System – controlled by lever ❖Hydraulic and Pneumatic Detectors –

frame machines. are installed below the rails and detect

❖Relay Interlocking System – control the slight bending of the rail caused by

logic is realized by relay circuitry without the presence of a large mass.

and mechanical elements. ❖Magnetic Detectors – contains

❖Computer Based Interlocking System – magnetic circuit formed by a permanent

control logic is represented by software. magnet with a gap at the rail.

■Detection ❖Inductive Detectors – uses

electromagnetic field around the rail.
- Gain information about the
position of movable objects ❖Fiber Optic Detector – based on

and obstacle. optical sensor technology that is in use

- Railway vehicle for monitoring strain inside large

- Road users of crossing structures instead of induction coils. An

- Obstacles
optical laser is needed to send signal ■Three Dimensional Detection
through the sensors.
❖Visual Observation – the simplest and
■Linear Wheel and Axle Detectors historically oldest form of detection is
visual observation of the respective
❖Mechanical Detection Bars –
track by staff. An alternative is remote
mechanical bars are used by different
visual observation via CCTV.
railways.
❖Automatic Image Processing – the
❖Galvanic Detector ( track circuit ) –
most common evaluation method is
jointless track circuit
differential image processing,
evaluating the difference of the current

■Area Detectors for Vehicles and image with a fixed reference image or

External Objects with an image taken a short time before,

giving an alarm or automatically
❖Active Electromagnetic Wave System –
stopping trains in case of critical result.
systems of this group actively send
electromagnetic waves in form of
microwave radar, laser, infrared or ■Automatic Train Control
others and use the reflection or
- Automate the operation and
absorption by objects to detect objects
control of trains
with a certain minimum size.
- Controlling the speed,
❖Mechanical Technologies – mechanical acceleration, deceleration and
supervision of the limiting areas of the stopping of trains.
clearance profile is applied by some
■ATP ( Automatic Train Protection ) –
railways.
in charge of ensuring that a signalling
❖Fiber Optic Sensing ( FOS ) – principle system operates safely.
of FOS is based on the ability to detect
- If necessary, applies the
changes in intensity of light reflections
brakes to prevent a collision.
caused by vibrations or sound waves
radiating against a single-mode fiber ■ Cab Signalling Function
optic cable.
❖Non-Selective Warning Signals
( mainly audible ) – warning tone sounds
to direct the drivers attention to the
trackside signals, independently from ■Grades of Automation
the signal aspect.
❖GoA0 – manual driving on sight without
❖Selective Warning Signals ( mainly any automation.
audible ) – the audible signal is applied
❖GoA1 – non-operated train operation.
selectively in cases which imply
restriction for the driver. ❖GoA2 – semi-automated train
operation.
❖Visual Repetition of Trackside Signals
– the aspect of the trackside signal in ❖GoA3 – driverless train operation.
advance is repeated in the cab.
❖GoA4 – unattended train operation.
❖Continuous Static Speed Information –
permitted speed alter consideration of
all restriction is always displayed.

❖Dynamic Speed Information – displays

guidance speed continuously to the
driver.

■Supervision Functions

- Check on driver ability ■ATS ( Automatic Train Supervision ) –

- Check on driver attentiveness automatically control trains in
- Train stop function accordance with the railway timetable.
- Compliance with speed limits
■ETCS ( European Train Control
■Intervention Functions – when System ) - project of European Rail
supervision functions detect a problem Traffic Management System ( ERTMS ).
in the behavior of the vehicle,
- the idea of ETCS is to gradually
intervention functions are activated.
replace the existing ATP systems by an
■ATO ( Automatic Train Operation ) – advanced train control system.
operated non-essential on-board tasks
❖ETCS LEVEL 1 – works as an advanced
usually performed by a train driver
intermittent ATP System ( the data is
transmitted to the train at discrete
points along the track ).
❖ETCS LEVEL 2 – works as a continuous - Driver assistance and
ATP System ( transmit control data providing operation and
continuously from track / wayside to maintenance data
train ) in which the train control data is
❖Train Operator Display ( TOD ) -
transmitted by digital radio.
processor based device that provides
❖ETCS LEVEL 3 – adds train-borne visual and audible indications for all
checking of train integrity to the system. data required for a driver.
This eliminates the need for fixed block
❖Carborne Radio ( CR ) - for
sections for track clear detection.
communication-based interface with
■CBTC ( Communication Based Train Zone Controller, Auxiliary Wayside
Control ) – defined as continuous System , and ATS.
automatic train control system utilizing
❖Tag ( Transponder ) Interrogator
high resolution train location
Antenna ( TIA ) – interface point
determination, independent of track
between wayside transponders and
circuit with continuous, high capacity,
Carborne Controller.
bidirectional train to wayside data
communications and train-borne and ❖Zone Controller ( ZC ) – fail-safe
wayside processors capable of processor that is responsible for the
implementing safety related functions. issuing of Movement Authority Limits to
communicating trains.
❖Carborne Controller ( CC ) – is a fail
safe processor that is responsible for ❖Transponders ( Tags ) - used to
the ff; provide absolute location reference that
enable train to become and remain
- Train location determination
localized.
- Enforcement of permitted
speed and movement ■CBTS Modes
authority limits
❖Automatic CBTC – provides full ATP
- Management of operational
and full or partial ATO.
modes and train configuration
- Control of the train function in ❖Manual CBTC – full ATP but no ATO

ATO mode if available ❖Restricted CBTC – limited ATP

functionality
❖Non-CBCT – disabled, bypass Basic classification of level crossing by
the ERA ( European Union Agency for
■CTCS ( Chinese Train Control
Railways )
System ) – based on ETCS technology
with some modifications. ■Passive Level Crossing – these always
appear to the road user in the same way,
irrespective of whether or not there is a
train approaching.

- The advanced warning sign is

placed to attract the driver’s
attention and warn that there
■PTC ( Positive Train Control ) – is a railroad crossing ahead so
automatically stop a train before certain the driver can slow down to
accidents caused by human error occur. look and listen for a train.

- Prevents collisions, derailments, - St. Andrew’s Cross ( most

unauthorized incursions, movement of widely used sign )

train through a track switch left in the ❖Channelization – is used to guide

wrong position. pedestrians , including bicycles, to cross

- Combines GPS, wireless radio the tracks where active warning devices

and computing technology to send up to are in place.

date visual and audible information.

■Level Crossing ■Active Level Crossing

- a place where a railway line and - these indicate to the road user
a road intersect each other on the same whether a train is approaching or not.
level.
- includes technical safeguarding
- it is also a place where serious with light signals, barriers and other as
accidents occur frequently. well as manual safeguarding by hand
signal of a level crossing post.

❖Road Light Signals – level crossing

light signals are mounted on a signal
post.
❖Barriers – can be placed in the same drivers when level crossings
location as level crossing light signals. are blocked by motor vehicles
or other obstructions
❖Automatic Road Blockers – these
devices for blocking of the level crossing ■Railway Communication
consists of four covering lids which are
- process of exchanging or
placed in a bed.
sharing information
❖Manually Activated Signals – operated
❖Two-Way Radio – converting audio
by level crossing staff, on instructions
signal to radio waves that are then
transmitted remotely by telephone or
transmitted through the air.
radio signal from the nearest station.
- Limited range
■Level Crossing Protection Devices
- Needs a tower repeater to
❖Automatic Road Blockers - needs extend the range
short track circuit or markers which - Can be joined by other users
detects train and activate warning when they joined the specific
indications at level crossing. Warning frequency
indications are usually flashing lights, or
❖Terrestrial Trucked Radio ( TETRA ) –
sound emitted by bells or claxons
designed to meet the mobile radio needs
( horns ).
of public security and safety, public
❖Automatic Crossing Barrier – physical transit, oil and gas, utilities, and
barrier to prevent or to dissuade government.
motorists from entering a level crossing
- Cannot be joined by other user
into the path of an oncoming train.
outside the company or
- It is also activated by organization.
detecting the presence of the - Mostly used on first
approaching train. responders.

❖Obstruction Warning Devices for Level ❖Private Automatic Branch Exchange

Crossings – usually only installed at ( PABx ) – it is a private telephone
unmanned level crossing. network used within a company or
organization.
- Their function is to provide
signal warnings to train
❖Interphone – device that allows people ❖Digital Camera – transformed its
to communicate with one another within footage into a digital signal before
a building or a small location. transmitted.

- example is on the train that - Can be conveyed in variety of

driver and conductor uses. ways including fiber optic
cables, ethernet, Wi-Fi, and
❖Public Address (PA) System – used to
any other digital medium.
broadcast important operations-related
announcement and reminders. ■Types of CCTV Camera

❖Telephone System – used for voice, - Dome Camera

but it employs mostly digital techniques/
- Bullet Camera
- VoIP – Voice over Internet
- PTZ Camera
Protocol
- 360 degree Camera
■Closed Circuit Television ( CCTV ) –
capture/record footage of a particular
area in an establishment that is
vulnerable to crime , accidents or
incidents.

❖Digital Video Recorder ( DVR ) –

connects to and record both high-
definition security cameras and older
analog CCTV cameras.

❖Network Video Recorder ( NVR ) –

records video data that is created or
encoded by network security cameras,
also known as IP camera.

❖Analog Camera – can be identified by

the way they transmit the footage. The
camera turns the light that hits its
sensor into a continuous analog signal.