Railroad signalling: rules and supervision of this safety measure

Since its emergence in England, in the 19th century, rail transport has spread throughout the world and, quickly, has become a fundamental part of the flow of various types of cargo and the displacement of people. The fact that this activity involves driving heavy wagons through urban areas requires compliance with some safety measures, such as, for example, the installation of railroad signaling.

Therefore, the joint use of signs, bells, horns, lights and other resources is an indispensable strategy to reduce the chances of accidents related to rail transport, including not only collisions between trains and wagons, but also accidents involving the population that lives near the railroads. That is, the signage items serve both for communication between employees in the sector and for the guidance of others.

To better explain the role of railroad signaling, we have prepared this article with everything you need to know about the subject.

Types of railroad signaling

Railroad signaling can be separated into two categories: visual and acoustic, both of which must be present not only on railroad vehicles, but also on permanent tracks..

The first type, as the name implies, includes all resources that communicate information visually. This is the case of the signal lights, headlights and reflective panels installed on the locomotives, as a way of giving advance warning of their passage. Another example would be the strategic positioning of various information boards and traffic lights along the railroads, especially at intersections between rails and highways.

On the other hand, acoustic signaling is one that uses sound elements. The main features of this type are the train bells and horns. While the bell is usually sounded for the entire journey, the horn is typically used only when the vehicle is approaching a crowded area or rail yard. Both have the same purpose: to warn of approaching trains.

It is worth remembering that the individual implementation of one type or another is not enough for transport to be considered safe. Therefore, there needs to be a combination of visual and acoustic resources to ensure that information is transmitted successfully.

Railroad signal boards

One of the oldest safety measures installed on railroads is the use of signposts, as a way of guiding train drivers and operators. That said, there are three types of signs, as far as their goals are concerned: regulatory, warning, and indication signs.

Regulatory boards are used to emphasize certain safety standards and determine the conduct of train operators on specific sections of the railroads. For example, signs that tell you the speed limit on certain lines.

The warning signs are intended to warn drivers in advance of important events and circumstances, so that they can take the necessary measures and carry out more attentive transport. This is the case of the signs that inform the carrying out of works on permanent roads and in their surroundings, for example. 

Finally, the indication boards are all the others that transmit information capable of helping drivers to carry out their work in a conscious and organized way, such as, for example, those that indicate the name of the railroad sections and the mileage.

Safety rules

Like road transport, the rail sector is covered by laws that seek to reduce the risk of accidents and, consequently, improve the safety of its activities.For example, the first paragraph of article 90 of the Brazilian Traffic Code (CTB) determines that the implementation of signaling resources is an obligation of the transit entity with the circumscription of the stretch, and it must respond in cases of insufficiency and inappropriate placement.

The CTB is not the only legal document that defines signaling standards. In addition to it, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) issued, in 2015, the Railroad Service Instruction number 217 (ISF-217).

The purpose of the document is to specifically define the characteristics of signaling resources related to railroad infrastructure. For example, the project determines that the signs must always be positioned to the right of the permanent ways, in a place that is easily visible to the operators. In addition, the ISF-217 also provides information on the functions, dimensions, contents and other technical specifics of the board, such as the material used in its manufacture.

It is important to remember that, in Brazil, the body responsible for inspecting the signaling standards, as well as all others related to rail transport is the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT).

Rail signaling solutions

It is possible to note that technological advances have influenced various sectors of society, and rail transport is no exception. Currently, there are many digital resources that perform the same functions as railroad signaling, but more efficiently.

For example, the use of tracking technologies for locomotives and wagons is a very advantageous strategy to monitor the movement of vehicles in real time. This feature, together with a traffic supervision system, allows the creation of safer route schedules, always considering the location of other trains, avoiding delays and even collisions. 

Another very important advance that speeds up the solution of problems in rail transport is the use of integrated communication systems, providing direct contact between employees on the train and operators in the control center.

Finally, the CBTC system, which in Portuguese stands for Communication Based Train Control, was a very advantageous addition to the railroad sector. In addition to monitoring the movement of the train, with data on the position, speed and load carried, the CBTC also allows the train to be driven from a distance. This is a very valuable measure, especially in situations where drivers, for some reason, are prevented from acting.

Conclusion

It was possible to perceive that the railroad signaling is an essential factor in the activities of the sector. Its main objective is to ensure that transport is carried out in the safest possible way, reducing the risk of accidents and fatalities linked to the stages of the process. In addition, signage is a great way to organize rail traffic, which is essential to efficiently overcome logistical challenges.

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