NEW DELHI: With global positioning system (GPS) based fog pass devices in locomotives, Railway Board has directed zonal railways to increase speed of trains during inclement weather from 60 km to 75 km per hour subject to the judgment of loco pilots.
According to data collated by railways, over 3000 trains were delayed due to foggy weather in November-December 2017. Over 12,000 trains were delayed between November 2016-January 2017 due to inclement weather conditions.
Railways has procured a total of 7263 Fog Pass Devices and are being used in six zonal railways which are the most fog affected Railways. The device gives audio-visual indication of the approaching signal, level crossing gates and other signal landmarks 500 meters before to the loco pilots.
“With use of fog devices in locomotives, the maximum permissible speed during foggy/inclement weather condition is enhanced from 60 kmph to 75 kmph subject to the judgment of the loco pilots,” said an order issued by Railway Board.
Every year trains in large number loss on to punctuality due to inclement weather conditions during winter season and many short distance trains are cancelled. Railway has been making technology interventions to ensure that trains reach in time during harsh weather conditions.
Railways has found the outcome of fog pass devices satisfactory. To avoid delay of trains in foggy weather and to enhance level of safety when running in automatic block signalling sections, a modified automatic signaling system has also been introduced which restricts the number of trains to two between two stations. Further, Railways have started implementing the provision of automatic train protection (ATP) system in selected sections.