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Railway signals in Germany are regulated by the Eisenbahn-Signalordnung (ESO, railway signalling rules). There are several signalling systems in use:
Home signal/distant signal (H/V)
The most common system is the H/V (Hauptsignal/Vorsignal) system which consists of home signals and distant signals. Depending on the technology used in the signal box, these signals may be indicated by semaphores or light signals. The light signals show the same light patterns the semaphores show at night.
Hp 0: Stop
A home signal shows Hp 0 by a horizontal arm of the semaphore signal or one red light or two horizontal red lights. The signal requires the driver to stop in front of the signal.Usually, Hp 0 is protected by a 2000 Hz magnet of the PZB train safety system which triggers the emergency brake, should the train pass the signal.
Vr 0: Expect stop
A distant signal shows Vr 0 by a yellow disc or two yellow lights (the right light is above the left light). This signal indicates that its home signal shows Hp 0. As the signal is placed at braking distance from the home signal, the driver needs to apply the brakes immediately to stop the train before reaching the home signal.Vr 0 is usually accompanied by a 1000 Hz magnet of the PZB train safety system which first triggers an accustic signal that must be acknowledged by the driver and then supervises the braking. If at any point the system detects that the train may not stop in time, it triggers the emergency brake.
Hp 1: Proceed
Signal Hp 1, indicated by the raised arm of the semaphore or a green light, allows the driver to proceed at the speed indicated in his schedule.
Vr 1: Expect proceed
Vr 1 indicates that the home signal shows Hp 1. On a semaphore, the yellow disc is turned horizontal, while light signals show two green lights with the right one above the left one.
Hp 2: Proceed at reduced speed
If both arms of the semaphore point up, or a green light is show vertically above a yellow light, the train may proceed at reduced speed. Unless another speed is indicated by additional signals, the train must obey a speed limit of 40 km/h. Hp 2 usually indicates that the next block is free, but that some switches are turned in a way that does not allow passing them at full speed.
Vr 2: Expect proceed at reduced speed
Vr 2 orders the driver to slow the train to 40 km/h prior to reaching the home signal showing Hp 2. Other speed limits may be indicated by additional signals.Kombinationsignale
After the reunification 1990 a new signalling system was designed to have a common system in East and West. While West Germany uses signals which simply show the night aspects of the semaphores, East Germany designed new light signals similar to those in other Eastern European countries. So usually, new built signals are Ks signals. That is not obligatory, for the lightrail extension in Kassel H/V signals were installed even after 2000, because they didn't want their drivers being irritated. The signals have three lights green, yellow and red, and have only three aspects. There are no new signalling possibilities, all combinations can also be shown with H/V signals and vice versa. The LZB technology is used the same way as for H/V signals.
Ks 0 Stop
One red light.Ks 1 Proceed at given speed, expect proceed at given speed
One green light. Additionally a white number above the signal can reduce the speed. It shows the tenth of the speed limit from this signal. There can also be a yellow number below the signal showing the speed limit from the next signal. It is shown only if the speed limit at the next signal is lower than here. If such a yellow number is shown, the green light is flashing.Ks 2 Proceed at given speed, expect stop
One yellow light. Speed can be reduced from here as described for Ks 1.Additional signals
A number of additional signals provide additional information to the driver or modify the meaning of other signals.
External links
- * web site with information about all signalling systems used in Germany
"German railway signalling"