Indian Railway Signalling
Indian Railway Signalling was begun in 1892 by G.H. List.[1] In the most elementary form, it can be a telephonic or telegraphic communication between the concerned stations. In more advanced forms, fixed signals are provided to guide the driver of the train. The number and complexity of signals depend on the amount of rail traffic to be handled. For high traffic density routes, complex signalling systems are deployed.[2] Initially, designed fixed signals were mostly of mechanical type, known as Semaphore Signals. However, later on, color light signals were deployed since they proved to be safer and more effective.[3] The current trend is to go for communication-based train control systems (CBTC), making use of the latest communication technologies.[4]
History
Though the first trains in India ran in 1853, the Indian Railway Signalling system was started in 1892.[1] Prior to this, the telegraph and telephony were used to pass on information about the trains between two stations. In fact, telegraph and telephony were introduced in India as a requirement of railways. The signalling systems were first installed at six single line crossing stations on the North Western Railway route.[1] However, presently Indian railways are replacing its old and outdated signalling systems with the latest automated systems. These include "automated train protection (ATP)" systems, "train collision avoidance systems (TCAS)" and digital train operations.[5]
Signalling types
Indian Railways is a huge system with more than 67,000 route kilometers of track and more than 7,300 stations. They run more than 13,000 passenger-carrying trains and more than 8,000 freight trains daily, carrying nearly 23 million passengers and more than 3 million tonnes of freight.[6] It is neither operationally required nor economically feasible to have the most modern signalling systems installed at all the stations. A mix of all types of signalling, from rudimentary to the most modern, therefore exists presently on Indian Railways. However, Indian Railways are now going for large-scale modernization of signalling and telecommunication systems.[7] A budget of approximately Rs 56,955 crores has been approved by the government in June 2021 for the modernization of signalling and telecommunication systems over the next five years. The plan includes provision of: Long Term Evolution (LTE) for train radio, enhancement in Optical Fibre coverage over Indian Railways territory, provision of Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and increasing the Automatic Block Signalling (ABS) systems, replacement of old signalling systems by Electronic Interlocking (EI) systems and Centralised Traffic Control systems.[8]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "History of Signalling in Indian Railways". Hindustan Times. 21 June 2003. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
- ↑ "Signals explained". Network Rail. 5 September 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ↑ "What's the Answer" (PDF). Retrieved 10 September 2021 – via jonroma.net.
- ↑ "Cab Signalling". constructionworld.in. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
- ↑ "How railway digitalization is on the rise in India". Ericsson. 25 July 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
- ↑ "Indian Railways: Network, Investments, Market Size, Govt Initiatives". India Brand Equity Foundation. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ↑ Bhargava, Yuthika (22 December 2019). "Railway unveils new signalling system". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ↑ "Railways plans Rs 56,955 cr spend in 5 years for signalling, telecom systems". The Financial Express. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
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