199903 – Ingwersen – Impact of Freight Brake Equipment on Signaling

Railway brake technology has changed little this century but market demands and technology advancements are forcing necessary changes. These changes will affect signaling infrastructure and require signaling design engineers to consider the current developments and those proposed for the future.

These latest braking developments will decrease the stopping distances required for long freight trains and allow trains to run closer, with decreased headways. This will allow more trains to run on existing tract infrastructure, increasing the number of pathways available thus decreasing the environmental impact and cost of providing additional tract infrastructure.