Automatic rail warning system for track work

Automatic light and sound warning system provides warning of approaching trains

Every day, 14,200 trains are running on the French rail network. 3,000 people are solely responsible for the announcements that ensure the safety of railroad construction sites. Existing announcement systems require extensive human resources, sometimes even more than the work itself. In addition, they are difficult to mobilize on a permanent basis. As the work has to be carried out at night, it is also expensive for the operators.

Efficient operation and simplicity of service

The automatic light and sound warning system co-developed by Systra and Zollner Signal provides a simpler solution than other existing systems. It does not require modifications to existing stations and signaling systems, nor does it depend on cabling or installation of detection equipment on site. It can be used on any line equipped with the European Rail Traffic Management System ERTMS Level 2 in France and worldwide. Depending on the type of operation and the requirements of the maintenance points, several announcement modes are available: Track in service, uninterrupted track. The system requires just a single user.

Advantages for rail infrastructure managers

The system also offers considerable benefits to rail infrastructure operators: It improves the general safety and working conditions of employees, reduces the costs of any future regeneration measures, facilitates maintenance work in the surrounding area (vegetation) and enables inspection procedures and maintenance work to be carried out without interrupting the running rail traffic. As a result, the costs are kept to a minimum. To demonstrate the applicability of the concept, Systra conducted a feasibility study together with Maintenance SEA (MESEA) on the existing Southern Europe-Atlantic high-speed line between Tours and Bordeaux. The ARGOS project launched in France will enable the system to be used on both high-speed and conventional lines thanks to the new generation of signaling systems.