2006 Part B Q1 ASPECT SEQUENCE

[alexgoei]

Hello Peter,

Appended please find my answer to the aspect sequence chart for 2006 Part B Q1.

Please can you look at it and let me have your comments

Thank you & Regards

[PJW]

I note that so far there have been 10 other downloads of your work but no-one has ventured a comment yet.

Basically I think it is pretty good- it's clear, it looks well spaced and thought out, the approach release conditions are clearly differentiated from the actual sequences. There are a few errors and particular places where unclear presentation could have been avoided; these are detailed in the attached file. You will note that my comments tend to start at the most advanced signal and work back against the direction of traffic to the signals in rear; this is of course the way that aspect sequence flows to bing information about the line ahead to the driver's attention- I am amazed at how many attempt to draw sequences working forwards from the approaching train (and generally getting themselves into a mess because of it!).

Even so I am sure that you'd very comfortably get a "pass" for this effort. This question paper seems far more typical of an IRSE aspect sequence exam question than 2007 that seemed far too easy (and that may be why the talk at the last Exam Review was that in future the aspect sequence diagram may be phased out- there was no hint that it would be absent from 2008 paper but I reckon that it will certainly be more substantial than last year, or even coupled with a related subject in a combined question)

regards,
PJW

Hello Peter,

Appended please find my answer to the aspect sequence chart for 2006 Part B Q1.

Please can you look at it and let me have your comments

Thank you & Regards

[alexgoei]

Hello Peter,

Thank you for reviewing my answer and your comments.

For the benefit of some of those who access/download from this site and to encourage more comments/contributions to the discussion, I would like to share a bit about my working background.

I am responsible for the operations of the North East Line and Sengkang Punggol LRT system in Singapore. Both are driverless systems, so learning the UK Network Rail system is a challenge for me. I did previously attend a course on Control Tables in the UK but even then to prepare for the exams there is quite a lot of additional preparation/practice required. And this year would be another attempt at Module 3, having passed Modules 1 & 7 for some time now.

With regards to Peter's comments, yes I did prepare the answer by working from the most advance signal backwards. That certainly helped. In the past I did try to work forwards and it is true working backwards is better. Also drawing out a schematic as to how the signals were to be laid out on a chart before starting certainly helped to ensure they were well spaced.

Just wondering if Appendix S of the Module 2 Study Pack icould be posted here since I believe it is not yet available and could be of benefit of those who access the website. For those attempting this question for the exams, I find that Appendix S is very good in providing comprehensive information on aspect transitions, approach release for warners, use of banners and junction signalling. You may also draw their attention to the Time Value bite that you have posted somewhere on the site I think.

Regards

[PJW]

Just wondering if Appendix S of the Module 2 Study Pack could be posted here since I believe it is not yet available and would be of benefit of those who access the website. For those attempting this question for the exams, I find that Appendix S is very good in providing comprehensive information on aspect transitions, approach release for warners, use of banners and junction signalling. You may also draw their attention to the Time Value bite that you have posted somewhere on the site I think.
Regards

I attach the version basically as it was when I delivered the Study Pack to IRSE at the end of March (but separated so that the files are individually small enough). It wasn't complete then and has made no progress since; I have been busy with other things and until the Study Pack is issued and actually being used I am not particularly motivated to expend more effort on it (even if I had spare time). However to be honest it probably already covers what is actually needed for the exam.

Yes my crib sheet to determining approximate time values is posted on this site under the module 3 topic, cunningly titled "time values" (February); I am not quite sure how to link from here but it won't do any student harm to go look for it- they may also chance on something else useful en route.

PJW