NPR 713 Placing temporary speed signs

Introduction

Temporary speed signs are placed to tell Drivers and Track Vehicle Operators about speed restrictions that have been placed on portions of track.

Sign types

FIGURE 1: Temporary speed signs.

A speed plate at the bottom of a sign shows the speed that is going to apply between the next CAUTION sign and the following CAUTION or CLEARANCE sign.

A speed plate at the top of a CAUTION sign shows the speed that applies from that sign to the next sign.

Additional plates at the bottom of a sign qualify the speed restrictions by:

• limiting the time for the restriction, or
• providing for a reduced distance between the WARNING and CAUTION signs, or
• indicating the line to which the restriction applies.

General

Qualified Worker

1. Confirm the areas where speed is to be restricted, and the speeds to be imposed.
2. Assemble the temporary speed signs.
3. Make sure that the signs are placed as close as possible to the track without being a danger to rail traffic or its crew.
4. Place signs in clear view on the left hand side of the track, in the direction of travel.
5. If the line is bidirectional, place a second set of signs for the opposite running-direction:
   1. for single lines, on the left hand side, or
   2. for double lines, on the right hand side.
6. If a platform is located between the warning sign and the caution sign place an intermediate warning sign beyond the departure end of the last platform before the restricted area.
7. Tell the affected Signallers that the signs are in place.
8. Arrange for the speed restrictions to be advertised.

Single speed restricted area

Qualified Worker

1. Place the WARNING sign on the approach side 2500m from the speed restricted area.
2. Place the CAUTION sign on the approach side 50m from the speed restricted area.
3. Place the CLEARANCE sign on the departure side 50m beyond the speed restricted area.
4. As necessary place an INTERMEDIATE WARNING sign with an additional plate that indicates the distance to CAUTION.

Multiple speed restricted areas

When several speed restricted areas are less than 2500m apart, a single WARNING sign is placed before them. CAUTION signs are placed before and after each speed restricted area.

Qualified Worker

1. Place a WARNING sign 2500m on the approach side of the first speed restricted area.

1. Place a CAUTION sign 50m before each speed restricted area. The speeds displayed at the top of the sign should be the same as the speeds displayed at the bottom of the previous sign.
2. Place a CAUTION sign 50m after each speed restricted area. The speeds displayed at the top of the sign should be the same as the speeds displayed at the bottom of the previous sign.

The CAUTION sign before the last speed restricted area will not have a speed plate on the bottom as there are no speed restricted areas to follow.

1. Place a CLEARANCE sign on the departure side 50m after the last speed restricted area.
2. As necessary place an INTERMEDIATE WARNING sign with an additional plate that indicates the distance to CAUTION.

Multiple route speed restricted area

Qualified Worker

1. Place WARNING signs on the approach side 2500m from the speed restricted area on all lines that might give access to the speed restricted area.
2. Place additional plates that indicate the line to which a temporary speed restriction applies.
3. Place a CAUTION sign on the approach side 50m from the speed restricted area.
4. Place a CLEARANCE sign on the departure side 50m beyond the speed restricted area on all lines that lead from the speed restricted area.
5. As necessary place an INTERMEDIATE WARNING sign with an additional plate that indicates the distance to CAUTION.