CEE 410 Flashcards by tau Max

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

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Coefficient of rolling friction for steel/rail and tire/pavement

Steel: 0.001
Tire: 0.006-0.010

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4 important economies of scale

Larger vehicles
Larger engines
Labor
Energy (air drag)

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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

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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…

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Railroad control software

Control system software

Rulebook, timetable and special instructions

Personnel: train crew, operator, dispatcher…

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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

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Train control vs signaling

TC
Conveys movement authority

Signals
Convey information about proper speed

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Line operation, multiple trains

Rear end
=> =>

Head on
=> <=

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Interlocking, multiple tracks

Switched, junctions, crossings

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Definition of a protocol

Rules or conventions of correct behavior

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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

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Reasons for operating rules

Safety
Efficiency
Liability
Legislation and regulation

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Safety first

Derailments and collisions can cause serious results

„The rule book is written in blood“

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Efficiency

Maximize use of assets

Accidents are bad for business

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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

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Who is governed by operating rules

Engineers
Conductors
Brakemen
Flagmen

Dispatchers
Station agents
Operators
Switchmen
Yardmasters

Maintains of way employees

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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

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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

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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