To help in timely running of trains during foggy season, a GPS based alert system for auto warning to train drivers has been installed by NF Railway.
An equipment called FogPASS (Fog Pilot Assistance System for Safety) consisting of an inbuilt battery and GPS antenna with magnetic base has been provided in all locomotives in NF Railway.
The device which weighs 1.5 kg is carried by the loco pilot at the time of assuming charge of the locomotive, said NF Railway chief PRO Subhanan Chanda.
It is placed on the consul of the pilot and as the train moves, it displays short description and remaining distance of next two landmarks in geographical order on LCD screen.
“Landmarks include signals of various types, level crossing gate etc. This means that as a train approaches a station the device will flash the distance left for the home signal of that station
“Thus even if the pilot is unable to physically see the signal, he would be aware of how far train is from the signal and would be alert to notice the aspect of the signal (red, green or yellow) and act accordingly,” the PRO said in a statement.
There is also provision of voice announcement in speakers attached with the device for attention of drivers.
The new device has proved to be greatly helpful to drivers in the foggy weather, Chanda said.
In N.F. Railway this device has been provided in crew lobbies to cover all locomotives of mail/express, passenger and goods trains. Drivers carry this device while assuming their duty.
Railways have also provided sufficient walkie-talkie sets for use by drivers and station staff apart from arranging counselling on working during foggy weather.
Besides, Railways has also deployed Fog signalmen at vulnerable station section to place detonators on the tracks for alerting the loco pilots about approaching signals.
These detonators are placed on track about 270 – 280 mts ahead of the first stop signal of a station to alert driver during heavy foggy weather.
All Signal sighting Boards, Fog Signal Posts are being painted with Retro reflective Painting and Level crossing gates are being provided with yellow/black luminous indications strips.