2011 Q2 - Risks/Mitigations to Axle Counters

[AdrianM]

Here is an attempt under exam conditions.

I'm worried about the number of marks allocated to the 2nd part of the question [20 marks] which makes me think I've not covered all areas the examiner was thinking about.

My main risk areas were:

- Equipment left in the area which could be foul of the track
- Rail Mounted Machinery (RMM) undetected in the area
- Damage to trackside equipment (i.e axle counter heads) by either the RMM or workers
- Incorrect information being sent to the signalling system and/or signaller (i.e. incorrect counts, incorrect indications sent to control room) of the state of that area of the railway.


I'd appreciate input on this as I've probably missed an angle of attack given the 20 marks on offer?!

Regards,
Adrian

[PJW]

Here is an attempt under exam conditions.

I'm worried about the number of marks allocated to the 2nd part of the question [20 marks] which makes me think I've not covered all areas the examiner was thinking about.

My main risk areas were:

- Equipment left in the area which could be foul of the track
- Rail Mounted Machinery (RMM) undetected in the area
- Damage to trackside equipment (i.e axle counter heads) by either the RMM or workers
- Incorrect information being sent to the signalling system and/or signaller (i.e. incorrect counts, incorrect indications sent to control room) of the state of that area of the railway.


I'd appreciate input on this as I've probably missed an angle of attack given the 20 marks on offer?!

Regards,
Adrian

I am afraid that I am finding quite a struggle to read- not a criticism of your writing but more of a issue with the contrast and resolution of the scan and the squared paper background.

I think the intention was to concentrate upon your items 2 & 4.
NR and its predecessors have used a variety of different methodologies for undertaking reset of axle counter sections over the years and I suspect it was a discussion and analysis of these that was in the examiners mind when setting the question.

Axle Counter Evaluators tend to have 2 reset facilities: Conditional (last count out) and Unconditional but it is how these are connected to the signalling system that could be the meat of this question

Potential methodologies could be:
1. Signaller resets based on their knowledge where all the train for which they are responsible actually are or by getting someone to walk through the affected section and report.
2. Technician resets after physical examination of the section.
3. Signaller and Technician cooperatively reset; two phase process whereby technician resets the count to zero and subsequently the signaller restores to operational service once satisfied by other means that the section must be clear
4. Signaller resets the section to permit points to be moved and route locking released, but signals are initially prevented from clearing due to imposed Aspect Restriction.  This could be lifted automatically by operation of track detection consistent with the passage of a sweep train through the section; alternatively it could be lifted by the signaller operating a specific button to confirm that the driver has reported the route clear when reaching the exit signal

I think it would depend on the range of what the railway administration(s) with which you are familiar do, whether there was enough relevant material to gain the full marks.  It is certainly something to think about when choosing what questions to attempt; definitely some are better suited to some environments more than others; moral prepare well enough that you have a good choice of questions and ensure that you select the three on which you feel you have the best chance of gaining your best  marks

[AdrianM]

Here is an attempt under exam conditions.

I'm worried about the number of marks allocated to the 2nd part of the question [20 marks] which makes me think I've not covered all areas the examiner was thinking about.

My main risk areas were:

- Equipment left in the area which could be foul of the track
- Rail Mounted Machinery (RMM) undetected in the area
- Damage to trackside equipment (i.e axle counter heads) by either the RMM or workers
- Incorrect information being sent to the signalling system and/or signaller (i.e. incorrect counts, incorrect indications sent to control room) of the state of that area of the railway.


I'd appreciate input on this as I've probably missed an angle of attack given the 20 marks on offer?!

Regards,
Adrian

I am afraid that I am finding quite a struggle to read- not a criticism of your writing but more of a issue with the contrast and resolution of the scan and the squared paper background.

I think the intention was to concentrate upon your items 2 & 4.
NR and its predecessors have used a variety of different methodologies for undertaking reset of axle counter sections over the years and I suspect it was a discussion and analysis of these that was in the examiners mind when setting the question.

Axle Counter Evaluators tend to have 2 reset facilities: Conditional (last count out) and Unconditional but it is how these are connected to the signalling system that could be the meat of this question

Potential methodologies could be:
1. Signaller resets based on their knowledge where all the train for which they are responsible actually are or by getting someone to walk through the affected section and report.
2. Technician resets after physical examination of the section.
3. Signaller and Technician cooperatively reset; two phase process whereby technician resets the count to zero and subsequently the signaller restores to operational service once satisfied by other means that the section must be clear
4. Signaller resets the section to permit points to be moved and route locking released, but signals are initially prevented from clearing due to imposed Aspect Restriction.  This could be lifted automatically by operation of track detection consistent with the passage of a sweep train through the section; alternatively it could be lifted by the signaller operating a specific button to confirm that the driver has reported the route clear when reaching the exit signal

I think it would depend on the range of what the railway administration(s) with which you are familiar do, whether there was enough relevant material to gain the full marks.  It is certainly something to think about when choosing what questions to attempt; definitely some are better suited to some environments more than others; moral prepare well enough that you have a good choice of questions and ensure that you select the three on which you feel you have the best chance of gaining your best  marks

I thought it may be too difficult to read, apologies, find attached my typed up answer. I did not amend any of it in light of your reply.

I think I've hit some of your suggestions. It may be worth me adding some detail on the specifics regarding the unconditional / conditional resets and how they may affect operations.

Regards,
Adrian

[dorothy.pipet]

FYI