Railroad Traffic Control Systems

Essay # 115921

Engineering

An overview of the benefits of railroad traffic control systems.

1,007 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper outlines the benefits of traffic control systems including the automatic train operation (ATO), centralized traffic control (CTC), and track warrant control (TWC). The paper notes several drawbacks to these systems but asserts that their benefits far outweigh their risks.

From the Paper:

"Automatic train operation is a system that performs operating functions such as starting, running at the prescribed speeds, slowing down, stopping, and passenger-door controls for all locomotives. This control system builds upon information transmitted to the train as part of automatic cab signaling, and is automatically instructed to perform tasks based on this information. Regulations such as the speed limit of a railroad are imposed by curves, grades, and the location of stations. ATO control systems recognize information about the tracks and this allows the train to maintain a certain speed. The control system can automatically slow down a train, and make a complete stop when necessary."

Sample of Sources Used:

James Costantino, Donna C. Nelson, "Railroad control systems", in AccessScience@McGraw-Hill, <http://www.accessscience.com, DOI 10.1036/1097-8542.571900>
George H. Way, "Railroad engineering", in AccessScience@McGraw-Hill, <http://www.accessscience.com, DOI 10.1036/1097-8542.572000>
"Railroad engineering." encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com. 5/8/09. 8 May 2009 <http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Railroad+engineering>.

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APA Citation:

Railroad Traffic Control Systems (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Essay-Railroad-Traffic-Control-Systems/115921