overview

Key Learning Objectives

• Understand the purpose of a signalling plan and the relationships between principles and signal positioning on a signalling plan
• Describe the purpose of a Signalling Functional Specification (SFS) and factors that influence equipment selection
• Discuss issues arising from changes to a ‘brownfield’ site and how changes are identified
• Understand the signalling design process and identify critical points in the process
• Detail the process for signal sighting and describe interfaces that can influence it
• Sketch a simple aspect sequence chart for signalling control
• Interpret key elements from control tables
• Explain data preparation processes and interlocking interfaces
• State operational readiness needs before commissioning
• Explain incident investigation,  regulatory system requirements and options for degraded operations

About the Course

This is an intermediate course covering Australian design, principles, and practices for rail signalling and control systems.

The purpose of this course is to make evident the key principles and thinking behind the design of signalling and control systems in a multi discipline (integrated) project context.

The course makes extensive use of a case study, which involves the addition of an electrified stabling yard to a non electrified railway, and the reasoning behind the changes associated with the new signalling and control system.

The sequence of the course mimics a real life project, completed in 2 days! It follows the systems engineering vs project lifecycle i.e:

Requirements → Concept Design → Detailed Design → Installation → Testing and Commissioning → Operations and Maintenance Phases.

Who Will Benefit

• Operations management and traffic management (network controllers, train controllers, timetable planners)
• Project managers, project engineers
• Track and civil infrastructure managers and engineers
• Railway maintenance managers
• Safety assurance practitioners
• Signal technicians or trainee signal engineers wanting to broaden their knowledge of a signalling project lifecycle
• Regulators
• Control systems and communications engineers