ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways has developed two indigenous IT-based solutions, which are expected to reduce train accidents and help improve its safety record.

The ‘Train Approaching Warning System at Level Crossing’ (TAWC) and ‘Train Collision Avoiding System’ (TCAS) have been finalised and five prototypes will be installed at the busiest level crossings by December this year to check the new signalling system.

The TAWC will consist of sensors on both sides of a level crossing at the distance of almost 3km. Sensors will detect the movement of train. There are dual sensors which will provide redundancy and compensation for variation in depth.

Sirens will also be installed to alert pedestrians and vehicle drivers. This set-up is solar-powered and will have no wires. The clearance to passer-bys will only be given after the train has passed. This warning system will also alert pedestrians and cyclists of approaching trains.

A spokesperson for the ministry of railways said this system would however not supersede the responsibility of locomotive drivers and gatemen.

It will provide audio-visual warning signals to vehicles and pedestrians. There will be seven inches high brightness display for driver’s information.

The TCAS system will reduce the risk of collision of trains due to human error and equipment failure.

This system will act as a watchdog and in this system radars will be used in trains so that trains can identify each other.

It is a GPS-based system, which will tell the drivers about the time, location, speed and course of travel of the approaching trains that can collide. It will be fitted in locomotives and brake vans.

As a result, there will be long-range wireless communication between units. There will also be warning lights.

Published in Dawn, October 5th, 2017