Shunting Signal
A shunting signal (入換信号機, irekae shingōki) is for car shunting in sidings and car depots; it is not used for trains in operation. A shunting signal has a protected section, and a train can proceed past the signal under 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph) (25 kilometres per hour (16 mph) if the train passes a non-interlocked turnout).
There are two types of shunting signal: position (灯列式, tōretsushiki) and color (色灯式, shikitōshiki). The position of two lighted bulbs indicates the position-type signal. This type is used primarily on JR and third-sector railways. In the color type, green means go and red stop. Color-type shunting signals are used primarily on private railways and subways; a narrow vertical signal is often used, due to narrow tunnels.
In position-shunting signals, "go" consists of two white diagonal lights and "stop" consists of red and white horizontal lights. The two-color type uses LEDs. When the shunting signal identification sign (入換信号機識別標識, irekae shingōki shikibetsu hyōshiki) is on, the indicator is a shunting signal; when the sign is off, the indicator is a shunting sign. The shunting-signal identification sign is installed below the position light.
A shunting sign (入換標識, irekae hyōshiki or—more briefly—入標, irehyō) is not a signal; therefore, its diagonal indicator is not "go" but "open" (開通, kaitsū). A shunting sign does not have a protected section. A shunting signal is absolute, but a shunting sign is a permissive. A train may pass a shunting sign reading "stop" only if the train is accompanied by a shunting staff; its locomotive displays a shunting car sign (入換動力車標識, irekae douryokusha hyōshiki)—a single red light at both ends—at night. In some systems, shunting-signal identification signs are omitted; instead, a shunting sign uses purple (instead of white) lights in a shunting signal.
A train is allowed to travel under 25 kilometres per hour (16 mph)—a lone locomotive may travel under 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph) if it does not pass non-interlocked turnouts—under a shunting sign. A stop sign may be installed just before a shunting signal (or sign) for safety.
Read more about this topic: Japanese Railway Signals, Fixed Signals, Main Signals
Famous quotes containing the word signal:
“Change begets change. Nothing propagates so fast. If a man habituated to a narrow circle of cares and pleasures, out of which he seldom travels, step beyond it, though for never so brief a space, his departure from the monotonous scene on which he has been an actor of importance would seem to be the signal for instant confusion.... The mine which Time has slowly dug beneath familiar objects is sprung in an instant; and what was rock before, becomes but sand and dust.”
—Charles Dickens (1812–1870)