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Metro Traineeship > 2. Signals (ABS, ATC, Track Force Protection and Permanent Way Signs) > Flashcards

2. Signals (ABS, ATC, Track Force Protection and Permanent Way Signs) Flashcards

1
Q

What does ABS stand for?

A

Automatic Block Signalling

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2
Q

What are the two line variances within Automatic Block Signalling?

A

Double Line and Single Line

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3
Q

What is a Track Section?

A

The portion of line between two Automatic signals

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4
Q

What is a Block Section?

A

The portion of track from controlled location to controlled location.

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5
Q

Under ABS signalling, what is the main difference when it is being operated over double lines or single line?

A

Under single line, the departing Home signal at the opposite end of the line will not be able to give Proceed aspects (this is possible over double lines)

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6
Q

Under ABS, how does a signaller give authority to a driver to enter the upcoming block section?

A

Using a Proceed aspect on the departing Home signal (if a signal can be used it must be used)

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7
Q

What is the object of the ABS section? (2)

A
  • To prevent more than one train moving in the same direction being in a track section at the same time (prevent one train bum-bumping another)
  • On bi-directional lines, to precent trains simultaneously running in opposite directions on the same line (prevent kissing trains)
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8
Q

How are ABS objects achieved? (3) (According to courseware)

A
  • When a train approaches another train travelling in the same direction, the approaching train’s signals will be fixed at Stop unless the track section ahead is clear
  • On bi-directional lines, if a train is in the section and another is to proceed in the opposite directions, the track circuit for the second train will be held at stop until the entire line is clear
  • A single line section is a train that is signalled for the train running in both directions operating under ABS rules (seems more like a definition than an explanation, but its in the courseware and we apparently have to know it)
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9
Q

What’s a simplified version of how ABS works?

A

When a train enters a track section, the train wheels activate the ABS circuits and changes the signal it just passed from Proceed to Danger

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10
Q

What does the term ‘Station Limits’ refer to?

A

The portion of line that operates under the direct control of a signaller and protected by Home signals

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11
Q

Where are the Station Limits on Automatic Block Signalling systems?

A

Between the Arriving Home signal and the first Automatic signal after the Departing Home signal.

If a departing home signal is not provided, it is the first Automatic signal after the Arriving Home signal.

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12
Q

When a train is within station limits, how are the home signals controlled?

A

By a signaller

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13
Q

What does ATC stand for?

A

Automatic and Track Control System

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14
Q

Can the ATC system be used on double lines?

A

No, it’s for bi-directional single lines only

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15
Q

What is the object of the ATC system if two or more trains are moving in the same direction?

A

To prevent more than one train being on a track section at the same time

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16
Q

How does the ATC system prevent two trains travelling in the same direction from entering the same track section?

A

By fixed signals being controlled by track circuits protecting the train in advance

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17
Q

What is the object of the ATC system when trains are to proceed in opposite directions of a Single Line Section?

A

To prevent more than one train entering the Single Line Section at a time.

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18
Q

How does the ATC system prevent opposing trains from entering a Single Line Section?

A

By placing the opposing Departure Signal (which controls the entrance to the line) at Stop until the occupying train has cleared the Single Line Section

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19
Q

Under ATC, when can a driver be asked by a signaller or train controller to operate Dual Control Point Machines?

A

At remote-controlled crossing loops during times of signal failure

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20
Q

What are ATC station limits?

A

The portion of line between the opposing Home Arrival signals.

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21
Q

On the ATC system, what is the what is the driver’s authority for a train to enter the Single Line Section?

A

A Proceed aspect on the Home Departure Signal (or Dwarf signal if entering from a siding)

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22
Q

On the ATC system, what is a crossing loop?

A

Where a single line track forms a loop (often at a platform) where trains can pass each other safely

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23
Q

Under ATC, can a Home Departure signal have a low-speed caution aspect?

A

Yes

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24
Q

Under ATC, what moves would a low-speed caution aspect on a Home Departure signal govern? (2) And what will it never allow?

A

Used for:
- Shunting into a siding
- Low-speed movement towards another line which is not worked under ATC rules

It can never allow a driver to enter a single-line section, as this would conflict with the object of the system

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25
Q

Under ATC, when given a Clear Medium Speed on a Home Departure signal, or a Clear Low Speed on a dwarf for a train to move from a siding into the running line, how is the speed restriction applied?

A

The medium/low speed aspects are only applied until the train has cleared the points protected by the signal. The train may proceed at track speed once cleared.

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26
Q

Under ATC, what are intermediate signals, and are they Home or Automatic?

A

Intermediate signals are Three-Position signals placed at intermediate locations between crossing loops. They are automatic signals.

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27
Q

Permanent Way Signs are used to advise drivers that the normal line speed has been reduced due to an infrastructure fault such as: (4)

A
  • A track fault
  • A signalling fault
  • An overhead line fault
  • Any other maintenance requirement
28
Q

Where is advice regarding Permanent Way Signs issued?

A

The WON (Weekly Operational Notices), safe working circulars

29
Q

When is the WON issued?

A

Every Tuesday

30
Q

Where are Permanent Way Signs generally located?

A

On the left-hand side of the tracks?

31
Q

In basic terms, what is a Permanent Way Sign used for?

A

To signal track speed where restricted speeds are required for an extended period

32
Q

When is Track Force Protection required? (9)

A
  • Before maintenance works beginning or within 3 metres of the track
  • Before any machinery is placed on track
  • Before ballast or other maintenance train remains stationary or is moving slowly on a running line
  • Before a rail is removed or re-laid
  • Before an obstruction is placed on a running line
  • When the line is unsafe due to natural or other causes
  • Where workers cannot get to positions of safety
  • Where required by an asset owner if movile plant is operated near overhead wires
  • any other obstruction
33
Q

Under Track Force Protection, what is a Yellow Hand Signal, who uses it and why?

A

A Yellow Hand Signal is a yellow flag by day or a yellow light held steady at night.

It is used by the outer signaller to signify upcoming works/obstruction.

34
Q

What four things must a driver do when encountering a Yellow Hand Signal/ATWs in a Track Force Protection area?

A
  1. Reduce speed
  2. Sound long whistle
  3. Use MAD button
  4. Look for the inner hand signaller, expecting signal to be at STOP
35
Q

In addition to a Yellow Hand Signal, what other device is used to warn drivers of an upcoming Track Force Protection area? (Suburban and Country areas only)

A

3 ATWs (Audible Track Warning Devices) placed 10 metres apart a sufficient distance from the point of work.

36
Q

How is a Red Hand Signal displayed?

A

Red Flag by day, or both hands held above head. By night, red light held steady or any light waved violently.

37
Q

How is a Green Hand Signal displayed, who displays it, and what does it indicate?

A

Green Hand Signal is displayed by the inner signaller, by holding a green flag by day, or a green steady light by night.

It indicates Proceed

38
Q

When the inner signaller displays a Green Hand Signal, what speed may a driver proceed at?

A

Normal track speed OR the speed of the last signal aspect

39
Q

What is indicated when a Green Hand Signal is being waved slowly?

A

Caution – driver cannot exceed 25km/h, unless they later observe a steady green hand signal

40
Q

How does the Inner Flaggie communicate a required speed of less than 25km/h?

A

They must stop the train using the Red Hand Signal and verbally communicate the required speed. They will then give the Green Caution signal to allow the train to proceed

41
Q

How does a Track Force Protection worker signal Emergency Stop to a train?

A

By day, they raise both arms above their head. By night, any coloured light waved violently.

42
Q

What is the all-right hand signal?

A

By day, someone facing the train and raising one arm horizontally. By night, a white light held steady.

43
Q

What are the three defined areas for Track Force Protection?

A
  • Inner Suburban
  • Suburban
  • Country
44
Q

What are the boundaries for the Inner Suburban Track Force Protection Area?

A

Up ends of Jolimont, North Melbourne and Richmond stations, and the East and West bypass lines between Southern Cross and Melbourne Yard

45
Q

Where must the Outer and Inner Flag signallers be positioned for the Inner Suburban Area, and what colours might they display?

A

Outer flaggie – 2 signals before point of work, displays yellow.
Inner flaggie – 100m before point of work, can exhibit Red, Green or Green (caution)

46
Q

Are ATWs used in the Inner Suburban Area?

A

No

47
Q

Where are the Outer and Inner Flag signallers and ATWs positioned in the Suburban area?

A

Outer flaggie:
- 1200m from point of work OR
- 3x signals before point of work OR
- at a signal box
(whichever is closest to point of work)

Inner flaggie:
- 200m from point of work

ATWs:
3 placed 10 metres apart on one rail, 1200m from point of work

48
Q

In Suburban areas, when might an intermediate hand signaller be used?

A

An intermediate signaller is placed between the inner and outer hand signallers, should the train not have a clear line of sight and require advance notice of the inner signaller.

49
Q

Where must the Outer and Inner Flag Signallers, and ATWs, be placed in the Country area?

A

Outer flaggie:
- 2000 to 4000m from point of work OR
- 3x signals before the point of work OR
- A signal box (whichever is closest to the point of work)

Inner flaggie:
200m from point of work

ATWs:
3x placed 10m apart on one rail of the line, 2000 to 4000m from the point of work

50
Q

In areas of Track Force Protection, can the malfunction of a Memory Aid Device cause the train to be delayed or cancelled?

A

No – you must book the fault with a TMM and operate train normally.

51
Q

What are three areas where the Memory Aid Device can assist safe working requirements? (3)

A
  • When passing automatic signals at STOP
  • Temporary speed restrictions
  • Arriving at a station where the previous signal was displaying a WARNING aspect and the signal ahead is not in clear view
52
Q

Under Track Force Protection, what is the role of a Lookout and where must they be located?

A

To watch for trains and give notice to workers via an Audible Warning (Whistle, Hooter or Horn). Lookout must be located within earshot of workers.

53
Q

What must a driver do upon sighting a Track Force Protection Lookout? (3)

A
  • Sound long whistle
  • View all-right hand signal
  • reduce speed and sound long whistle again.

(Toot, see hand signal, toot)

54
Q

How does a driver receive notice that a Temporary Speed Restriction has been cancelled?

A

Via a Safe Working Circular, and the WON

55
Q

Where is a Warning Board located and what does it look like?

A

It is placed 1200m before a point of work.

It is a yellow reflective board, “fishtailed” at both ends, with a red letter “W”.
The caution board speed is in black letters underneath

56
Q

Where is a Caution Board located and what does it look like?

What does it indicate?

A

It is placed 200m before the point of work.
It is a yellow reflective board with a red letter “C”.

It indicated the maximum speed permitted between the Caution Board and the subsequent NS or N board.

57
Q

Where is a Normal Short board placed?

What does it indicate and who does it apply to?

A

The NS board is placed 200m, after the point of work.

It indicates the driver may resume normal speed once they reach the sign. It applies to trains 200m or less

58
Q

Where is a Normal board placed?

What does it indicate and who does it apply to?

A

The N board is placed 1200m after the point of work.

It indicates that all trains (including those over 200m) may resume normal speed

59
Q

How are Warning and Caution board speeds that apply to different classes of train indicated?

A

Passenger Train speed will be indicated with a “P”
Goods Train speed will be indicated with a “G”

60
Q

Who must a driver report damaged/missing permanent way signs to?

A

Train controller at Metrol

61
Q

What must a driver do if they encounter unattended ATWs on a track without a Hand Signaller in attendance? (5)

A
  • Sound long whistle
  • Reduce speed
  • Look out for any signs of track workers
  • Be prepared to stop short of obstruction
  • Report incident to Train Controller
62
Q

Can a Track-Force Protection Co-Ordinator requisition a train for emergency protection?

A

Yes

63
Q

In times of emergency, the Track-Force Protection Co-Ordinator will communicate to the driver that the train must be secured by: (3)

A
  • Placing brake handle into Emergency
  • Train line park brakes are applied
  • Reverser is OFF (Comeng only)
64
Q

If a train is being used for emergency protection by a Track Force Protection Co-Ordinator, what two things must the driver continually do?

A
  • Maintain continuous view of work group
  • Make regular PA announcements to passengers
65
Q

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A

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