ERTMS latest

[whole diary]

[welshman]

Here's a good story.

Bring back semaphore, I say.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Interesting, from that BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) story:

Network Rail spokeswoman Mavis Choong said work to develop the ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System. A future railway signalling system, with equipment located in the driver's cab, rather than at the lineside) system continued to progress, with 98.2% of the work already completed.

"We are currently focusing on addressing safety critical issues identified during the trial run in February," she added.

Ms Choong said the company "does not compromise on safety".

"It is paramount that we achieve an optimum level of reliability before launching the system for safe passenger use," she added.

"We are now working with our manufacturer to explore a long-term solution."

So, after precisely 98.2% of the work is completed, it's only then discovered that the system is so unsafe that it needs a long-term solution? 

[welshman]

Well obviously.  It's a well-known scientific fact that only 1.8% of the work involved in creating a signal-less, automated, real-time, on-screen, in-cab driver information and warning system is devoted to making the real-time, on-screen, in-cab driver information and warning bit work.  How could you not realise that?

"We are currently focusing on addressing safety critical issues identified during the trial run in February,"

Safety critical issue = "I can't see the f***ing screen."

Solutions:-
Virtual display helmets a la fighter pilot
Blackout the cabs and give the drivers a video display of the track ahead as well as an ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System. A future railway signalling system, with equipment located in the driver's cab, rather than at the lineside) screen
Dump the drivers and drive the trains using X-boxes from a central control room in Machynlleth.  I'm sure we'd all volunteer for one trip a week.

[John R]

Alternatively, have a fail safe visual reminder at key places, such as junctions and loops. These would be red (to signify danger), and be relatively simple to see and interpret. A bar that could be in the up or down position might suffice. Whilst it wouldn't replace the high tech system, it would be a useful back up in the event that the driver's cab display malfunctioned and drivers could then drive on sight.

[Electric train]

I am sure there was much derision when Parliament insisted the railways moved away from timetable signaling or time interval signaling.

Railway signaling has always progressed with new systems, progress is slow as the equipment has a long life for instance the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) in the 1960's moved from absolute block to MAS this was done to increase the number of trains and speed this is what ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System. A future railway signalling system, with equipment located in the driver's cab, rather than at the lineside) is about

This is a trial, trials will throw up the unexpected thats why they are done, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) are not likely to go away from the ERTMS concept for signaling renewals

[IndustryInsider]

Solutions:-
Virtual display helmets a la fighter pilot
Blackout the cabs and give the drivers a video display of the track ahead as well as an ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System. A future railway signalling system, with equipment located in the driver's cab, rather than at the lineside) screen
Dump the drivers and drive the trains using X-boxes from a central control room in Machynlleth.  I'm sure we'd all volunteer for one trip a week.

Or, most likely, a re-position of the screen and/or better use of anti-glare coatings and/or tinted side windows on the train and/or a change in the way the screen is displayed (fonts/colours etc.)  Either way, it's a bit of a mountain-out-of-a-molehill story as issues like this will always arise with new technology. 

I remember hearing stories about a delay with one new train (several years ago now) due to glare on the speedometer due to the sun reflecting off the drivers shirts.  The solution?  A darker shirt was issued to the drivers!  Not 100% sure it's a true story, but it wouldn't surprise me.