The virtual Ril 301 - how German railway signals work
Introduction
In order to describe the operational processes of railway traffic, it is necessary to move away from comparisons with road transport. Due to the long braking distance of the trains, it is not possible for them to travel with the same sight distance as on the road. They therefore need an instance that gives them a stop or run order at a sufficient distance: a signal.
In Germany, various railway signals have been developed for the safe operation of the railways. A signal is defined as a stationary or mobile device that transmits information about the next section of track to the driver. All signals and their signal aspects - all available display options for a signal - in the German railway network are set out in Regulation Ril 301, the so-called Signal Book.
Classification
Railroad signals can be classified according to their function and appearance
Classification according to function
- Main signals (Hauptsignale): These are used to indicate to the driver whether and at what speed he may pass the next section of track
- Distant signals (Vorsignale): These announce to the train driver the term of the main signal in the braking distance
- Multi-section signals (Mehrabschnittssignale): combine the function of the main and distant signal at one signal, i.e. already announce the position of the next signal
- Additional and other signals (Zusatzsignale sowie Weitere): supplement the information of the main signals and fulfill other tasks
Classification according to appearance
- Semaphore signal (Formsignal): represents the signal aspect with up to two movable signal arms or signal disks.
- Color light signal (Lichtsignal): uses various multicolored illuminated optics to display the signal terms
- Additional signals (Zusatzsignale): these are located at main signals and distant signals and provide additional information to the signal term, for example a speed indication.
- Other stationary signals (alleinstehende zusätzliche Signale): this particularly large group of signals includes all signals - usually reflective signal boards - that are not assignable to main signals or distant signals on the open track
- Visual and acoustic signals (Handzeichen sowie akustische Signale): these are given by whistles, horns or special arm movements of railroad personnel and are used, for example, for stopping trains in an emergency