GSMR

Question 1

What is GSM-R?

Answer 1

GSM-R provides high quality communications from the cab of a train to the signaller, control, ECO, or selected TOC/FOC numbers. It includes a single press emergency button.

Question 2

How is the GSM-R system structured?

Answer 2

The system is made up of a network of radio stations installed at the side of the track every 5/6km, including coverage in tunnels.

Question 3

What are the types of calls in GSM-R?

Answer 3

There are point-to-point calls and group calls.

Question 4

What is a point-to-point call?

Answer 4

A point-to-point call is a call between two people that continues until either person ends it.

Question 5

What is a group call?

Answer 5

A group call connects to everyone in a vicinity specific to the GSM-R.

Question 6

What are examples of point-to-point calls?

Answer 6

Standard point-to-point call, Urgent point-to-point call, Public address call (received only), Berth triggered broadcast call (received only).

Question 7

What are examples of group calls?

Answer 7

Railway Emergency Call (REC), Shunting group call, Shunting emergency group call, Broadcast area call (received only).

Question 9

What is a normal point-to-point call?

Answer 9

A conventional phone call.

Question 10

What is an urgent point-to-point call?

Answer 10

The network gives it a higher priority than a normal call. When made from the cab radio, it only goes to the signaller.

Question 11

What is a broadcast call?

Answer 11

A one-way announcement from the signaller (or operations controller) to all GSM-R cab radios in a predefined area. Broadcast calls are normally pre-recorded.

Question 12

What is a broadcast acknowledgment call?

Answer 12

Signallers can caution drivers with operational safety messages using a GSM-R berth triggered broadcast. Drivers can confirm receipt using the GSM-R ‘ST’ acknowledgment button.

Question 13

What is a railway emergency group call?

Answer 13

The network gives it the highest priority. All GSM-R users within a certain area will automatically be connected to the call, which can only be ended by the person who made it or someone using a fixed terminal.

Question 14

What is a public address announcement?

Answer 14

The signaller can make a call over a train’s PA, necessary on all driver only (DO) passenger services. Train operations controllers may also use it.

Question 16

What can the signaller send from the fixed terminal?

Answer 16

The signaller can send:
• Contact signaller.
• Wait (in response to a SG message from the cab radio).

Question 17

What can the driver send from the cab radio?

Answer 17

The driver can send:
• Standing at signal (SG).
• Acknowledge (ST).

Question 18

What happens if the DSD is not canceled?

Answer 18

Failure to cancel the DSD will generate a text message to the signaller.

Question 20

What is the purpose of the railway emergency group call?

Answer 20

Used to make a railway emergency group call.

Question 21

What is an urgent call used for?

Answer 21

Used to make an urgent call to the signaller.

Question 22

What does ST signify?

Answer 22

Used to acknowledge to the signaller that a broadcast has been received and understood.

Question 23

What does the brightness function do?

Answer 23

Increase/decrease the brightness of the display or scroll right if a text is longer than 20 characters.

Question 24

What is the test button used for?

Answer 24

Used to test the train radio.

Question 25

What does the menu provide access to?

Answer 25

Provides access to the in-built menu.

Question 26

What is the function of volume/menu navigation?

Answer 26

Used to scroll upwards/downwards through the screen or menu options or to change the volume.

Question 27

What does the accept button do?

Answer 27

Used to answer calls and accept user entries on the display.

Question 28

What is the keypad used for?

Answer 28

Used to enter digits or letters.

Question 29

What does the cancel button do?

Answer 29

Used to reject or delete entries on the display or to end a call.

Question 30

What is the purpose of the Reg/De-reg function?

Answer 30

Enables registration and deregistration of the train radio. Turns driver’s control panel on when pressed for two seconds.

Question 31

What does standing at signal indicate?

Answer 31

Used to inform the signaller that the train is at a stand at a signal.

Question 32

What does the TOC phonebook provide access to?

Answer 32

Provides access to the train operator’s phonebook.

Question 33

What is the purpose of calling the signaller?

Answer 33

To make a call to the signaller.

Question 35

What is required to register the GSM-R?

Answer 35

A code must be entered.

Question 36

What do the first 4 digits of the registration code represent?

Answer 36

The train's head code.

Question 37

What do the last 3 digits of the registration code represent?

Answer 37

They are obtained from either the signal ID plate, an alias plate, or a ‘99X wild card.’

Question 38

What is an example of a wild card for EMR?

Answer 38

EMR’s wild card is 997.

Question 40

When should the emergency call facility be used?

Answer 40

Only when it is necessary to stop or caution trains, or to call emergency services in connection with an accident, obstruction, or other exceptional incident.

Question 41

What must you do if you receive a REC?

Answer 41

You must bring your train to a stand immediately and listen to the message. ## Footnote You must not consider the REC to be ended until the signaller has said ‘End of railway emergency group call.’

Question 42

When can you restart your train after a REC has been ended?

Answer 42

You may restart your train if you are sure it is not affected by the emergency and the signaller has not instructed you to remain at a stand.

Question 43

What must you do after restarting your train?

Answer 43

You must proceed at caution as far as the next stop signal or proceed as indicated by the movement authority displayed.

Question 44

What should you do in all other situations before restarting your train?

Answer 44

You must get authority from the signaller before you restart your train.

Question 46

What is dial-up cell-based call routing?

Answer 46

A method where calls are routed through a signaling gateway (SG) that may sometimes contact the wrong signaller.

Question 47

What happens when the SG button contacts the wrong signaller?

Answer 47

A phone number would be listed on a plate showing no ‘SG’.