In contrast to road traffic, where the driver of the individual vehicle has the responsibility for guiding his car, rail traffic is externally controlled. This is true for the lateral guidance where the train has to follow the track forced by the rim or the wheels, and the longitudinal movement, where signals impose stopping points on the driver. A signalling system has to be used, as reaction on time is not possible when a driver sees an obstacle. In rail systems, braking distances are too long to rely on driver's vigilance. The very first task of railway signalling therefore was to install a signalling system, which gave the driver instruction if he could proceed or if he had to stop. With the driver obeying the instructions given by the signals, collisions of trains could be avoided. (44 pages)
ERTMS and ATP
2005-01-01
1 pages
Article (Journal)
English
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