Train Movement During Fog

Train Movement During Fog 

Fog severely reduces mobility of trains owing to reduced visibility and safety protocol (speed restriction) put in place. This reduces the capacity of already saturated rail corridors running through fog affected areas. Abnormal late running of trains result into unmanageable rake imbalances, heavy crew shortage due to increased working hours of drivers and guards and complete disorientation of time table, train berthing plans, maintenance slot at washing line complexes catering difficulties etc. due to late arrival of trains during fog. 

To handle the above situation, Railways have resorted to cancellation and reduction of frequency of trains during foggy season from 08.01.2016 to 29.02.2016. 

(d) Steps taken by Indian Railways to gear up for foggy condition during winter are as under: 

(i) To enhance the level of safety during fog in Automatic Block Signaling territories, Modified Automatic Signaling has been introduced which restricts the number of trains to two between two stations. 

(ii) Reduce the speed of trains. 

(iii) Deputing additional staff to alert the loco Pilot through placement of detonators before the First Stop signal. 

(iv) Improving the visibility of signals. 

(v) Loco Pilot to take precautions, be vigilant and alert and to observe Special Rules and instructions regarding speed limit under foggy conditions. 

Technology options are being pursued by Indian Railways for prevention of accidents during conditions of poor visibility by installing notably Fog Safe Device, which is a Global Positioning System (GPS) based device installed to assist the Loco Pilot during poor visibility condition. Currently, a total of 1381 Fog Safe Devices are under trial on Northern, North Eastern and North Western Railways in fog prone areas. In addition, Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS) are also under various stages of trial. 

This Press release is based on the information given in the written reply by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in Lok Sabha . 

Source :PIBNEWS