https://irse.signalpost.org/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:46:33 +0000 MyBB https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=913 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:31:50 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=913 ]]> ]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=912 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:29:45 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=912 Define what is meant by ]]> Define what is meant by ]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=911 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:27:48 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=911 Question 3.
Using an example of your choice, explain why configuration management is necessary through the whole life of a railway signalling and telecommunications system.
Identify the principal risks associated with loss of that control. [10 marks]

You are required to develop a configuration management plan for a railway project that will incorporate both hardware and software design. This plan must identify the ways in which configuration management will be controlled.
Describe the areas that should be included in this plan, summarise how their configuration should be managed and how this may change during the lifecycle? [15 marks]

Only 1 attempt
]]> Question 3.
Using an example of your choice, explain why configuration management is necessary through the whole life of a railway signalling and telecommunications system.
Identify the principal risks associated with loss of that control. [10 marks]

You are required to develop a configuration management plan for a railway project that will incorporate both hardware and software design. This plan must identify the ways in which configuration management will be controlled.
Describe the areas that should be included in this plan, summarise how their configuration should be managed and how this may change during the lifecycle? [15 marks]

Only 1 attempt
]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=910 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:26:01 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=910 Question 4.
Why are some railways now required to produce safety cases? What are the key elements of a railway safety case? How should a railway ensure that its operations and engineering activities are in accordance with its approved safety case? [25 Marks]

No one felt like attempting this one!

We talked a little about the first section yesterday; I attach something that might encourage an attempt by someone.]]> Question 4.
Why are some railways now required to produce safety cases? What are the key elements of a railway safety case? How should a railway ensure that its operations and engineering activities are in accordance with its approved safety case? [25 Marks]

No one felt like attempting this one!

We talked a little about the first section yesterday; I attach something that might encourage an attempt by someone.]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=909 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:25:11 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=909 Question 5.
Describe two signalling or telecommunication wrong side failures (WSFs) that occur on railway infrastructure. [6 marks]
Explain the possible consequences of each of the WSFs that you have described. [8 marks]
Describe how both procedural and technical solutions can be adopted to minimise the risk of future occurrences of each of the WSFs you have described. [11 marks]

Extremely popular question 6/8 attempts]]> Question 5.
Describe two signalling or telecommunication wrong side failures (WSFs) that occur on railway infrastructure. [6 marks]
Explain the possible consequences of each of the WSFs that you have described. [8 marks]
Describe how both procedural and technical solutions can be adopted to minimise the risk of future occurrences of each of the WSFs you have described. [11 marks]

Extremely popular question 6/8 attempts]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=908 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:23:40 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=908 Question 6.
Discuss how legislation, standards and good practice contribute to the safety of the railway system and how the balance between these may be different in different circumstances. [10 marks]

Briefly describe two railway accidents, one from more than 10 years ago and the other more recent, which have resulted in changes to signalling technology and working practice. Identify the main lessons learnt from each and explain what measures have since been put in place to mitigate or eliminate these failings. [15 Marks]

1 attempt
]]> Question 6.
Discuss how legislation, standards and good practice contribute to the safety of the railway system and how the balance between these may be different in different circumstances. [10 marks]

Briefly describe two railway accidents, one from more than 10 years ago and the other more recent, which have resulted in changes to signalling technology and working practice. Identify the main lessons learnt from each and explain what measures have since been put in place to mitigate or eliminate these failings. [15 Marks]

1 attempt
]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=907 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:21:52 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=907 Railway administrators are keen to ensure that new materials and products introduced into signalling and telecommunications are safe and reliable and meet required standards.
i) Describe how cross-acceptance of products already in use elsewhere may be beneficial to the railway administration [5 marks]
ii) How may cross-acceptance be beneficial to a supplier? [5 marks]
iii) What are the barriers to cross acceptance? [7 marks]
iv) How may these barriers be reduced or overcome? [8 marks]

3 attempts

Note this was 2007 Q4 for which there is a separate thread ]]> Railway administrators are keen to ensure that new materials and products introduced into signalling and telecommunications are safe and reliable and meet required standards.
i) Describe how cross-acceptance of products already in use elsewhere may be beneficial to the railway administration [5 marks]
ii) How may cross-acceptance be beneficial to a supplier? [5 marks]
iii) What are the barriers to cross acceptance? [7 marks]
iv) How may these barriers be reduced or overcome? [8 marks]

3 attempts

Note this was 2007 Q4 for which there is a separate thread ]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=906 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:20:22 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=906 Define the term ]]> Define the term ]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=905 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:18:48 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=905 Question 9.
On occasions, usually due to failure or intrusive maintenance, it is necessary to operate the railway in the absence of functions normally provided by signalling and telecommunications systems.
Describe three such methods of degraded working, indicating the circumstances in which it would be used, how an acceptable level of safety is maintained and state the residual risks when compared to normal working. [25 marks]

1 attempt
]]> Question 9.
On occasions, usually due to failure or intrusive maintenance, it is necessary to operate the railway in the absence of functions normally provided by signalling and telecommunications systems.
Describe three such methods of degraded working, indicating the circumstances in which it would be used, how an acceptable level of safety is maintained and state the residual risks when compared to normal working. [25 marks]

1 attempt
]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=904 Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:16:56 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=904 Question 10
Briefly outline the causes of systematic failures in systems.
Identify one hardware and one software design method that can be used to mitigate the risk of systematic failures.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using each identified method. [25 marks]

No one attempted
]]> Question 10
Briefly outline the causes of systematic failures in systems.
Identify one hardware and one software design method that can be used to mitigate the risk of systematic failures.
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using each identified method. [25 marks]

No one attempted
]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=902 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:26:21 +0000 PJW]]> https://irse.signalpost.org/showthread.php?tid=902
The questions basically consist of a selection of those asked in the module over the last 15 years but still seeming highly pertinent to today's railway.  Some are almost precisely as asked; others are a bit of a mix-and-match of two separate original questions, so putting things together in a new combination.  Hence for some of them there are already some attempts and comments posted on the original questions that are highly relevant.

Attached is the question paper; I'll aim to add some responses after a few days for those who are attempting the paper separately to the group have had a chance to complete their answers.]]>
The questions basically consist of a selection of those asked in the module over the last 15 years but still seeming highly pertinent to today's railway.  Some are almost precisely as asked; others are a bit of a mix-and-match of two separate original questions, so putting things together in a new combination.  Hence for some of them there are already some attempts and comments posted on the original questions that are highly relevant.

Attached is the question paper; I'll aim to add some responses after a few days for those who are attempting the paper separately to the group have had a chance to complete their answers.]]>