Technical Meeting Paper
199007 – Whybird – Queensland Railways Telecommunications Aspects of Driver Only Operation
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Whilst the introduction of Driver Only Operation has had a major impact on the locomotive and signalling world it has also created a number of issues requiring resolution in the Telecommunications field.
One of the major requirements was that the driver should not have to leave his cab for other than exceptional circumstances.
Therefore, for effective Driver Only Operation, it is essential that the primary source of communication between the driver and tile train controller be readily available in the locomotive cab. This, by definition, implies colour light signals (CTC) or a radio based system (e.g. in-cab display or voice).
Whatever the primary source of operation (e.g. CTC or radio) a back up or secondary system is also considered essential for efficient operation. Desirably the secondary system of communications should also be accessible from the cab of the locomotive.
QR has opted for two methods of safeworking in D.O.O. territory viz.
1) C.T.C.
2) T.O.W.