CEE 410 Flashcards
How many miles can one ton be transported with one gallon of fuel?
Hummer: 3
Toyota Prius: 33
Semi trailer: 130
Railroad freight train: 480
Coefficient of rolling friction for steel/rail and tire/pavement
Steel: 0.001
Tire: 0.006-0.010
4 important economies of scale
Larger vehicles
Larger engines
Labor
Energy (air drag)
3 fundamental elements to railway train control
Movement authorities
- Safe operation requires that access and operational practices for all sections of track is strictly controlled
Communication
- means by which status of specific sections of track is monitored and operating instructions provided to trains
Speed control
- necessary for traffic control requirements and civil infrastructure constraints
Railroad control hardware
Track and associated infrastructure
Locos, rolling stock and other on-track equipment & personnel
Track control system hardware
Signals and associated components
Communication equipment
Personnel: train crew, operator, dispatcher…
Railroad control software
Control system software
Rulebook, timetable and special instructions
Personnel: train crew, operator, dispatcher…
Differences between highway and railway signaling
Stopping distance-sight distance
Relative variation in speed (not GER)
Bi-/directional traffic
Rapid Acceleration
Stopping distance uniform
Traffic signals complexity
Train control vs signaling
TC
Conveys movement authority
Signals
Convey information about proper speed
Line operation, multiple trains
Rear end
=> =>
Head on
=> <=
Interlocking, multiple tracks
Switched, junctions, crossings
Definition of a protocol
Rules or conventions of correct behavior
Railroad operating rules are:
..are a code of conduct
- based on:
Federal and state law/regulations - industry recommended practices and industry wide agreements
- specific policies and practices of individual railroads
Reasons for operating rules
Safety
Efficiency
Liability
Legislation and regulation
Safety first
Derailments and collisions can cause serious results
„The rule book is written in blood“
Efficiency
Maximize use of assets
Accidents are bad for business
Legislation vs regulation
Legislation (laws)
Are passed by Congress
Regulations
Are Standards and rules by administrative agencies that govern how these laws are to be enforced
Who is governed by operating rules
Engineers
Conductors
Brakemen
Flagmen
Dispatchers Station agents Operators Switchmen Yardmasters
Maintains of way employees
Movement authority
No train may occupy any railroad without authority
Key to avoid collision
Different kinds for type of track
-main
-yard
And permissible speed
Table of
Method of operation
Movement authority
Traffic control
MOO. MA. TC
ABS. No. Yes CTC. Yes. Yes DTC. Yes. No MBS. No. Yes noMain. Yes. Restricted speed TWC. Yes. No Yard lim. Yes. Restricted speed
Methods of operation abbreviations
ABS automatic block system
CTC centralized traffic control
DTC direct train control
MBS manual block System
TWC track warrant system
Other than main track
Uncontrolled track
Not directly supervised
Doesn’t mean out of track
Movement authority may be conveyed solely through the regulations given in rulebook
Hierarchy of operating instructions
Operating rulebook
Operating timetable and instructions
General orders
Track bulletins
Track warrants or similar authorities
Shorter lifetime, more specific
North American operating rules
Canadian Rail Operaing rules
CN US OR
CSX
NORAC
Norfolk Southern
GCOR General code of Operating Rules
Operating timetable
Basis for train operation on a specific portion of railroad (division/district)
Contains
Station List
Special instructions
NO! Times
In effect for months/years
Track bulletins
Issued to individual trains, group of workmen
Ensures awareness of
general order in effect
Infrastructure changes
Relatively short lifetime
Track warrants
Written document to convey movement authority
GCOR 1:
General Responsibilities
Safety
Actions when accident/injury
Personal conduct rules
Duties of crew members
Accident rate history
- 79% since 1980
- 42% since 2005
GCOR 2:
Railroad Radio rules:
„Ignore“ incomplete communication (unless safety)
Identification
Repeating content
GCOR 4:
Timetables
Only one timetable active
Special instruction
GCOR 5:
Signals
Includes:
Hand,verbal,Radio Flags Permanent speed signs Fusees and Torpedos Bell and whistle Headlight and ditchlight Marker lights (train end) Identifying number Blue signal protection Others
Flag protection
When
Unexpected stop
Inability to move st normal speed
Consists of
Fusees 5/10 minutes burn
Torpedos
Flagman
GCOR 6
Movement of trains
Includes:
Repeating instructions prevent misunderstanding
Written instructions safer
Movement authority needed
Defines
Meet/pass
Yard limits
Restricted speed
Restricted speed
Must be able to stop at a range half of the vision
Maximum 20mph
GCOR 7 is about
Switching
Maximum speed for coupling 4mph
Switching is high risk operation
GCOR 8 is about
Switches
- must be locked when not in use
Normal Postillion must be lined and locked (except in use)
Employees lining switches must go on opposite side of track while train is switching
Train not considered clear of track until switch is lined back in normal position
Timetables are giving context for
Define operating protocols for
Yard limits
TWC
CTC
Define where protocols are in effect
Information about Speed restrictions Close physical clearances Special behavior to follow (Example: mountain grades)
Internal stimuli that act upon the railroad
Routine maintenance
Inspections
External stimuli that act upon then railroad
Severe weather conditions and seismic activity
Public events
Police and fire activity
Public works projects
String chart deciption of Different causes of train delay
Meet
Slow-meet
Trailing-pass (with and without train 2 stop)
Trailing
Graphical train diagrams are
Useful visual aid for understanding train movements over a line
Facilitates train management
Scheduling timetables
Evaluate conflicts
Understand effect of changes on line capacity
On sight operations
Locomotive haul started 1830
Soon access and right of way had to be controlled
Timetable operation
Gives information where a conflicting train would NOT be a a given time
Rear end collision solved with 10minute Intervall
Flag protection however difficult
Time balls
Used as long distance visual communication
Limited usefulness
Significance of the telegraph
Enables fast communication
Needs skilled telegraphers
Telegraph Locations stationary
Trains between stations out of communication
Made transfer of movement authority possible
Facilitates centralization of control
Advance in efficiency
Superiority of trains
A train is superior to another train by
Right
Class
Direction
This enables dynamic responds to delays
Train orders
Train order signals notify the engineer if he has to stop or reduce speed
Order gives new information about meetings
Safety protocols
Station Names and numeric figures were spelled out
7 = Seven
Content of order was checked by all stations listening
Repeated by everyone listening
