Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the key role of the Signalling Department in Indian Railways?
What is the key role of the Signalling Department in Indian Railways?
Safe Train operations and maximizing utilization of assets
What does ZISTU stand for in the context of Indian Railways?
What does ZISTU stand for in the context of Indian Railways?
The ZISTU is a fair indicator of signal incidents across all Zonal Railways.
The ZISTU is a fair indicator of signal incidents across all Zonal Railways.
False
What is the term used to measure the efficiency in monitoring performance of signalling equipment and its maintenance?
What is the term used to measure the efficiency in monitoring performance of signalling equipment and its maintenance?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the value of materials manufactured, overhauled, and repaired in the workshop for SR?
What is the value of materials manufactured, overhauled, and repaired in the workshop for SR?
Signup and view all the answers
Data loggers are devices that monitor real-time events and generate failure reports.
Data loggers are devices that monitor real-time events and generate failure reports.
Signup and view all the answers
What does BPAC stand for?
What does BPAC stand for?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the main reason for shortfalls in maintenance schedule according to the Ministry in the Action Taken Note?
What was the main reason for shortfalls in maintenance schedule according to the Ministry in the Action Taken Note?
Signup and view all the answers
Zonal Railways attribute underutilization of training slots to sickness and shortage of staff.
Zonal Railways attribute underutilization of training slots to sickness and shortage of staff.
Signup and view all the answers
How many consequential accidents occurred due to collision during 2008-09 to 2011-12?
How many consequential accidents occurred due to collision during 2008-09 to 2011-12?
Signup and view all the answers
The average number of collisions per annum decreased from $22.5$ during 1998-99 to 2001-02 to $______$ during 2008-09 to 2011-12.
The average number of collisions per annum decreased from $22.5$ during 1998-99 to 2001-02 to $______$ during 2008-09 to 2011-12.
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of IPS system provision was observed in nine Zones (WR, NER, SECR, CR, SCR, ECR, ECoR, WCR and ER)?
What percentage of IPS system provision was observed in nine Zones (WR, NER, SECR, CR, SCR, ECR, ECoR, WCR and ER)?
Signup and view all the answers
Failure due to lamp fusing showed a decreasing trend during the period 2008-09 to 2011-12.
Failure due to lamp fusing showed a decreasing trend during the period 2008-09 to 2011-12.
Signup and view all the answers
What was the single largest cause of signal failure?
What was the single largest cause of signal failure?
Signup and view all the answers
What percentage of adherence to maintenance schedules was observed out of 179 stations test checked for signaling equipment?
What percentage of adherence to maintenance schedules was observed out of 179 stations test checked for signaling equipment?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the signaling equipment with their respective percentages balance to be provided as per Corporate Safety Plan (CSP):
Match the signaling equipment with their respective percentages balance to be provided as per Corporate Safety Plan (CSP):
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Signal and Telecommunication Department
- Responsible for safe train operations and maximizing the utilization of fixed and moving assets
- The department is headed by Member-Electrical and assisted by Additional Member (Signal) and Additional Member (Telecommunication)
Performance Efficiency of Signalling Assets
- Modern signalling systems play a key role in enhancing safe and reliable train operations
- The Corporate Safety Plan (2003-2013) aims to upgrade and modernize signalling systems
- The plan targets the reduction of signal failures per 1000 Zonal Integrated Signal and Telecom Units (ZISTUs) from 13.19 to 5.28 by 2013
Audit Findings
- Signal incidence per 1000 ZISTU is a key performance indicator to monitor signal incidents
- However, the basic units assigned to Signal and Telecom (S&T) equipment for ZISTU calculation have not been revised for four decades
- The audit found that the signal incidence per 1000 ZISTU was not a fair indicator of signal incidents due to the non-standardized units and yardsticks
- The audit also found that the signal incidence per 1000 ZISTU was not within the tolerance limit in 10 out of 16 Zonal Railways
Effectiveness in Monitoring Signal Failures
- The signal failures per 1000 ZISTU have declined, but the decline is mainly due to non-revision of weights for various S&T equipment and yardsticks
- The audit found that the signal failures per 1000 ZISTU were not comparable across Zonal Railways due to the adoption of different basic units and yardsticks
Performance of Signalling Equipment
- Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) are norms to measure the performance of signalling equipment
- The audit found that the norms for MTTR had not been issued by the Ministry of Railways
- The audit also found that the MTBF and MTTR of signalling equipment varied widely across Zonal Railways and brands
Utilization of Data Loggers
- Data loggers are devices that monitor real-time events and record the functions of track circuits, points, signals, and axle counter signals
- They have the capability to perform statistical analysis, predict faults, and generate failure reports
- The audit did not mention the utilization of data loggers in the railway system.### Data Loggers in Network
- Railway Board expressed concern in July 2010 about the lack of utilization of data loggers due to:
- Lack of involvement of staff
- Improper upkeep of the device
- Absence of Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
- Poor follow-up in case of failures
- Data loggers play a crucial role in analyzing the causes of accidents
Provision of Block Proving by Axle Counter (BPAC)
- BPAC reduces dependence on human element in train operation and enhances safety
- Railway Board reiterated instructions in November 2009 to provide BPAC in all A and B routes in a contiguous manner
- Audit observed that 830 stations in A and B routes were without BPAC/Absolute Block System (ABS)
Non-Provision of Integrated Power Supply System
- Reliable power supply system is vital for a robust Signalling system
- Railway Board issued instructions in September 2009 to ensure availability of adequate power supply for signals at all stations
- Audit observed that provisions of Integrated Power Supply (IPS) system were incomplete in many zones
Analysis of Signal Failures
- There is a significant correlation between safety and reliability of assets
- Details of causes of signal failures during 2008-09 to 2011-12 are:
- Equipment failure
- Lamp fusing
- Cable failure
- Relay failure
- Point machine failure
- Fuse blown off
- Power equipment failure
- Bad maintenance
- Track Circuit Failure
- Block Instrument failure
- Block Instrument failure was the single largest cause of signal failure
Availability of Dissimilar Signalling Equipment on Same Route
- Signalling infrastructure of the same standard in all sections of a particular route is important for maximum utilization of existing railway lines
- Audit observed that 26 sections across the Zonal Railways did not have signalling equipment of similar standard
- Existence of equipment with dissimilar standard has safety implications
Replacement of Dated Signal Equipment
- Replacement of old and ageing assets through upgraded modern signalling system is essential for achieving a collision-free system
- Audit observed that there were shortfalls in provision of modern signalling equipment vis-à-vis targets in the Corporate Safety Plan (2003-2013)
Age Profile of Signalling Assets
- Audit test-checked age profile of assets like signalling equipment/machines, point machines, relays, battery chargers, signal transformers, and cables
- Out of 93 signalling equipment, 64 items (69 per cent) had outlived their prescribed life and were yet to be replaced
Operation and Maintenance
- Corporate Safety Plan laid stress on preventive maintenance for preserving the longevity of the equipment
- Audit observed that there were shortfalls in adherence to maintenance schedules in many stations
Efficient Utilization of Training Facility by S&T Personnel
- The Ministry stated that the shortfalls in maintenance schedule primarily arose on account of shortage of trained manpower
- Audit analyzed the data on training course conducted by the Indian Railway Institute for Signal Engineering and Telecommunication (IRISET) and the ten Zonal Training Centers
- Audit observed that there was under-utilization of training slots in many zones
Accidents due to Collision
- CSP (2003-2013) envisioned that the Indian Railways should attain a Collision-free status by ensuring completion of all safety-related works
- Audit observed that the average number of collisions per annum had come down, but human error of judgment and non-observance of the rules were the major causes of accidents
Conclusion
- Indian Railways need to revisit the basis of measurement of signal failures in view of the ongoing modernization of the signalling systems
- Addressing manpower and training issues is essential for ensuring better preventive maintenance and achieving a collision-free environment
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers the Signalling and Telecommunication Departments of Indian Railways, including their roles and responsibilities in ensuring safe train operations and effective communication.
