Signal Book 301 DS/DV - Changes

In the communications no. 6, which will go into effect as of 10 December 2006, several changes have been introduced.

Changes in:
Terminology
Signal aspect names
Orientation signs
Other changes

Terminology

The signal book now explicitly states what is meant by the word "signal":

AB1, §1(3)):: a) A signal is a visible or audible sign with a defined information allowing the safe movement of railway vehicles
b) a signal aspect is the short identifier (e.g. Zs 1) of a signal, which for some signals is supplemented by a long identifier (e.g. Ersatzsignal - subsitution signal)
[...]

So, strictly speaking, a main signal would not be a "main signal", but a "main signal device" capable of conveying the signals Hp 0, Hp 1, and Hp 2 (with the H/V signalling system). Now for ease of speaking, §1(3) g) states that main signals, distant signals and protection signals are generally referred to as "signals" also.

Signal aspect names

Most of the signals and their short identifiers that were different in former DB and DR areas have now been unified. As examples, the indicator for dead end line and short entry was formerly identified as Zs 6 in DR area and not used in DB area. It has now the common identifier Zs 13. Also, the M-board previously had no short identifier at all and is know named Zs 12.

Some other changes are due to the fact that some signals that were displayed by different signal devices had different identifiers although the meaning was the same. A notable example is the absolute stop aspect Hp 0 at main signals and the absolute stop aspect Sh 0 at a line-close/protection signal. Since both aspects have the same meaning (stop and stay for train and shunting movements) they now have the same identifier Hp 0. A line-close signal device thus can display the signals Hp 0 or Sh 1.

Also, the Haltvorscheibe (now Wärterhaltscheibe, warden's stop announcer board) which is a movable board looking like a semaphore distant signal at Vr 0 and can be placed in rear of a Sh 2 protective stop board was formerly named Sh 3 in DR area and absent in DR area. Since it indicates the same signal as a distant signal at Vr 0 'expect stop', it is now listed under this identifier (Vr 0) as a special case of a semaphore distant signal.

Orientation signs

For reference, some signs (not regarded as being signals) have been added as reference for the staff. Some examples are the "ET" and "HET" boards that may be used at level crossings, or the "ICE" and electric section boards

Other changes

Some signals have been dropped from the signal book, like the acceleration and delay indicators (formerly Zs 4/Zs 5 in DB area or Zp 10/Zp 11 in DR area).

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