50647 ‘Poor positioning’ of emergency speed restriction boards

May 2012 in Network Rail and Suppliers

Equipment Rules and procedures Scotland

The reporter is mainly concerned about the positioning of the advance warning boards, stating that vegetation or bends in the track are apparently not being considered when the boards are being placed. It is understood that the boards must be placed at specified distances dependent on speed and braking distance. However, if the sighting of the board at a location is poor the reporter suggests it should be repositioned.

Could Network Rail comment on:

• The procedures in place for positioning ESR boards? 
• Whether the boards can be moved from the specified distance if the line of sight is poor?

Response from Network Rail

Network Rail would like to thank the reporter for bringing their concerns to our attention.

Could Network Rail comment on the procedures in place for positioning ESR boards? 

The procedure for positioning of ESR equipment can be found in Network Rail Group StandardGE/RT8000, module SP (Speeds). This module details the requirements which need to be met for the erection of Emergency Speed Restriction equipment, such as type, position, management and publishing of speed in the Weekly Operating Notice.

All staff that carry out the duties of positioning ESR equipment should be trained and competent to do so.

Could Network Rail comment on whether the boards can be moved from the specified distance if the line of sight is poor?

All boards shall be placed as per the Group Standard. The standard does allow for adjustment to be made to the location of boards if certain instances occur such as location of adjacent signalling equipment, junctions and overlapping speeds. There are however limitations for warning times and maximum distances from AWS magnets to warning boards.

When placing these boards the line of sight is reviewed and any vegetation issues are removed. If curvature or adjacent buildings/structures obscure the line of sight, these will need to be reviewed and the placement of ESR equipment redesigned and authorised accordingly.

Further assessment of the ESR equipment position is also carried out through cab-riding by the local Track Section Manager.

If any Driver does find conflict with the positioning of the ESR equipment it must be reported to Network Rail Control for the local Track Section Manager to respond and investigate the report.