Railway Safety Features
Railway Safety Features – Quick Capsule for RRB NTPC/Group-D/ALP
1. Overview
Indian Railways carries 2.3 crore passengers & 3.1 MT freight daily. Safety is therefore built-in through engineering, signalling, rolling-stock design and emergency-response protocols codified in the “Indian Railways Safety Manual” (2020 edition) and “RSMS” (Railway Safety Management System-2022).
2. 20 Must-Know Facts (One-liners)
- ABS – Automatic Brake System; applies brakes automatically if driver exceeds 10 km/h over permitted speed.
- TPWS – Train Protection & Warning System (first on 130 km/h + routes); enforces speed & stop signals.
- KAVACH – Indigenous ATP (Automatic Train Protection) developed by RDSO; SIL-4 safety integrity level.
- RAS – Route Relay Interlocking (prevents conflicting points & signals).
- Electronic Interlocking (EI) – Software-based interlocking; reduces human error.
- Data-Logger – Continuous track-side recorder; sends SMS alerts to section controller.
- LC Gate Interlocking – 100 % of ‘A’ class manned gates interlocked by 2024.
- TFO/TCAS – Train Collision Avoidance System (earlier name of Kavach).
- Fog-PASS Device – GPS-based hand-held equipment for loco pilots in winter.
- Hot-Box Detection System (HBDS) – Infrared scanners on track detect overheated axle bearings.
- Wheel Impact Load Detector (WILD) – Identifies flat wheels; auto-sends SMS to depot.
- Rail Flaw Detection (USFD) Trolley – Ultrasonic testing of rails every 90 days on high-density routes.
- BSL & BFI – Breathing Space Length & Buffer Stop Installation at dead-end platforms.
- CCTV-ICMS – 55,000 coaches to get IP-based CCTV under “Nirbhaya Fund”.
- Fire & Smoke Detection (FDS) – Mandatory in all AC coaches since 2022.
- HVAC Isolation Switch – Auto-cuts power on fire detection in AC coaches.
- Anti-Climbing Feature – Couplers & buffer skirts prevent telescoping during collision.
- Roll-Stock Standard – 160 mm ground clearance for under-gear equipment to avoid hitting track objects.
- Emergency Chain/Alarm Chain Switch (ACS) – Passenger operated; activates 5 km/h auto-brake.
- GAG (Gate Alarm & Gateman) Order – Gateman must phone station master 2 min before each train.
3. Important Points (Exam Hot-Spots)
- KAVACH coverage target: 3,000 km (Golden Quadrilateral) by 2025-26.
- SIL-4 means probability of failure ≤ 10⁻⁹ per hour – highest safety integrity.
- RDSO – Research Designs & Standards Organisation (Lucknow) is nodal R&D unit for safety devices.
- Safety Category of Stations: ‘A’ (≥ 1.5 lakh revenue/day), ‘B’, ‘C’; maximum safety gadgets deployed at ‘A’.
- Block-Proving by Axle Counters (BPAC) replaced last-vehicle board on 85 % of sections.
- IBS – Integrated Bridge Management System; inspects 15,000+ rail bridges.
- DERA – Divisional Emergency Reserve Ambulance train kept at each division.
- RSC – Rail Safety Campaign (2023-24) eliminated 1,000 unmanned LC gates.
- Penalty for passenger pulling chain without valid reason: ₹ 1,000 + jail up to 1 year (under Railway Act 1989 sec. 141).
- “Zero Timetable Change” rule – Safety blocks must not delay passenger trains by > 5 min.
4. Frequently Asked Aspects in Previous RRB Papers
- Full-forms of TPWS, Kavach, ABS, EI, HBDS, WILD, USFD, BPAC.
- Difference between Train Collision Avoidance System & Train Protection Warning System.
- Which device is GPS-based for fog? (Ans. Fog-PASS)
- Which organisation developed Kavach? (RDSO)
- Safety integrity level of Kavach? (SIL-4)
- Under which fund is CCTV in coaches financed? (Nirbhaya Fund)
- Penalty section for alarm chain misuse. (Sec. 141)
- Frequency of USFD testing of rails. (90 days)
- What activates auto-brake when driver over-speeds? (ABS)
5. 10 MCQs for Quick Practice
Use the drop-down to self-check. Negative marking not applied here!
1. The indigenous ATP system commissioned by Indian Railways is called
Ans: Kavach
2. Which safety device uses infrared sensors to detect overheated axle bearings?
Ans: Hot-Box Detection System (HBDS)
3. The highest safety integrity level (SIL) achieved by Kavach is
Ans: SIL-4
4. Fog-PASS device works on the principle of
Ans: GPS-based navigation assistance
5. Which of the following is NOT a function of TPWS?
Ans: Automatic ticket checking
6. Under which section of Railway Act 1989 is penalty imposed for improper use of alarm chain?
Ans: Section 141
7. The nodal organisation for development of Kavach is
Ans: RDSO
8. How often is USFD testing of rails prescribed on high-density routes?
Ans: Every 90 days
9. Which fund finances the installation of CCTV cameras in passenger coaches?
Ans: Nirbhaya Fund
10. What does BPAC stand for in signalling terminology?
Ans: Block Proving by Axle Counters
Keep revising these snippets; 3-4 questions every year in RRB NTPC/Group-D directly match the above facts. Stay safe, study safe!
BETA
