T/G,T/P
and T are circular boards painted with yellow in the back ground and
written with black .Such boards are found on the left side of the track.
T/
G's full name is termination of speed restriction for Goods trains,
whereas the full name of T / P is termination of speed restriction for
passenger trains.
This board shows the instruction to the driver of the train so that the driver can come know that the restriction for speed limit has expired
and now the he (driver) can run the train at max premissible speed. On
such tracks the maximum speed limit of the train has been set at 30
km/h.
Where such boards are found?
Teminations
boards are normally found after bridges,tunnels, and sharp curves.
Apart from this you can find such boards on other places as per the
requirement.
Operations management - cost issues
Electric locomotives are more efficient and eco-friendly than diesel locomotives.
A
diesel locomotive has a mileage of 4–6 litres per kilometre which
varies as per the load and geographical conditions like elevation.
Like Diesel locomotives, Consumption of electricity by an electric locomotive also varies as per the load and tracks.
A WAP-4 locomotives has 6 DC traction motors and 3 auxiliary motors and it consumes around
840–1080 KW in an hour.
6500 KW-8500 KW in 8 hours.
Where
3 Phase locomotives like WAG-9, WAG-9H, WAP-7 have regenerative breaking system which saves the consumption of electricity up to 20% .
These locomotives consume electricity around
720 KW -840 KW per hour
5760 KW -6720 KW in 8 hours.
Operations management - symbols for transportations
While
travelling by the train we often see different signs & symbols
besides the railway track. But many of us are not aware about these
signs & symbols. But in this answer I am sharing the details of few
such signs & symbols to make you aware.
1.Signal Sighting Board
This signal sighting board is a rectangular reflective board with a circle and two horizontal lines, yellow on black.
The
meaning of this signal for the driver is that, this sign warns the
driver of a signal ahead and the driver needs to pay the attention of
this signal. The next signal will instruct him that whether he need to
slow or stop the train.
In
lower quadrant territory, there are often two sighting boards used for
signals. One, as described, is the goods signal sighting board and is
placed 1400m before the signa
l.
The other is the passenger signal sighting board intended for use by
drivers of passenger trains and is usually placed about 1000m before the
signal.
2.Whistle Indicator Board
Often, while traveling in the train, we see Yellow Square colored on the side of the tracks. The boards have W, W / L, W / B or C / F words. These boards are just signal to the drivers for blowing the whistle. The 'W' is a general whistle indicator while the 'W/L' stands for Whistle for Level Crossing.
Normally
W / L or C / F board is placed before the 250 meters of the gate.
Similarly, the W / B board informs the driver of the train that the
bridge is ahead so he need to blown the horn while crossing the bridge.
3. The Sign of “LV” on the last Coach of the train;
On
the final coach of the train, there is a small board written in black
and white in English or red and white color. This board has “LV” written
over it. This “LV” stands for - Last Vehicle i.e. Final coach of the train.
If
a train passes through a station or a signal cabin, which does not have
a board of “LV” then it is believed that the entire train has not
reached and some coaches are left behind. In such situation emergency
action is initiated by the concerned authorities.
4. Fouling Mark
A
fouling mark is provided between two converging tracks at the point
beyond which the centre-to-centre distance of the track is less than the
stipulated minimum distance. This minimum distance is 4.265 m for BG
and 3.66 m for MG lines. A vehicle standing on a loop line is not
stabled beyond the fouling mark, otherwise it may have a side collision
with the vehicle standing on the main line.
5.Speed Termination Indicator Board
Often
while traveling on the train, we see the circular board written T / G
and T / P on the side of the tracks. Generally Speed Termination
Indicator Boards are located on the left side of the tracks. T / G's
full name is termination of speed restriction for Goods trains, whereas
the full name of T / P is termination of speed restriction for passenger
trains.
6. Speed Indicator
This sign indicates special restrictions on the track due to temporary or permanent engineering work.These boards are usually painted in black and yellow colour.
Operations Management: Seat management
After
successfully logging into IRCTC website you pray your next wish is
answered. Your favourite window seat. You see there are almost 300
tickets available. You thank your stars and say no way you are losing a
window seat.
Finally when you book, you don't get the window seat you opted for but you still find 299 tickets remaining. So why is this?
IRCTC’
software strictly follows an algorithm and allots seats in a pre-
designed way . Imagine there are sleeper class coaches in a train
numbered S1, S2 S3... S10, and in every coach there are 72 seats. So
when someone first books a ticket, software will assign a seat in the
middle coach like S5, middle seat numbered between 30-40, and preferably
lower berths.
What happens if tickets are booked randomly?
A
train runs at an average speed of around 70km/hr. Assume that S1, S2,
S3 are full and S5, S6 are empty and others are partially full, when the
train takes a turn, some coaches face maximum centrifugal force and
some minimum.
This
poses grave danger of derailment. When brakes are applied there will be
different braking forces acting at each of these coaches because of the
huge weight differences, creating a disruption in the train's
stability.
Profiling
is also a factor while allocating seats. Let’s we see, how IRCTC
allocate a seat on train based on your gender and age.
Seat Allotment for Single Female
Indian
Railways has some strict rules to allocates a seat for Female gender.
The top rule in the list is a female gender never be allotted seat in
the group of man allotted, and also two same age groups with opposite genders never will be assigned with the same compartment.
Female
gender berths are always lower or upper berth most of the scenarios.
Other cases they will get any berth on the train if they travelling in
group ticket or family members.
Seat Allotment for single Female (above 45 years old)
Seat
allocation for ladies is most strict part in railway reservation. They
always prefer women safety first. As we know, 2 lower berths are
allotted for women in each sleeper and who are above 45 female persons
are to be allotted with almost lower berths only.
Case 1: If any female gender booking a ticket with above 45 years old and prefer lower berth, she has 80% of chances to get.
Case 2:
if two women waiting list tickets are confirmed and have only one lower
berth on the train. Then Rules Engine will check their age .It will
compare age and allocates lower berth to the elder one.
So next time you see group of gossiping aunties realise its magic of IRCTC’s algorithm.
Seat Allotment for Young Couples
Indian
Railways will always prefer to assign the same coach for couples. If
there is no availability in the same coach, then at least it prefers to
give nearby coaches.
If
Couple booking a Reservation ticket, then the system will check first
their age and gender. If both are the having same age and opposite
gender, then it will look for couple relation. It will check first
priority as two side to side middle berths. If it is not available next,
it will check for side lower-side upper (or) Lower-Lower (or)
Lower-middle Combinations. At worst case, couple seats will be allotted
in different coaches
Seat Allotment for Old Couples
Couples
are always be allocated in the same compartment. However, here the only
change is their Berth priority. If the couple is senior citizens (or)
Above 45 years old, the system will check for two opposite lower berths
instead of opposite middle berths. If it is failed to allot lower
berths, it will check for below combinations.
Lower-middle (or) Side lower-lower (or) middle -middle.
Seat Allotment for Groups
It
is clear that always group booking will be allotted in the same
compartment (or) same coach at least. Sometimes it depends on the size
of the group. If the size of the group is more than four(4), then their
first priority will be the same compartment. If it fails to provide the
same compartment next priority will be the same coach with back to back
seats. Very rare cases only they will get in different coaches.
Seat Allotment for Children and minors.
Children
get their Berth always with parents or relatives only. Most of the
time, they will get a berth in with surrounded by female genders. There
are no strict rules for child/minor. But the priority is the same
compartment with parent/relative with lower (or) Middle berth
Lastly if you are a male
Seat Allotment for single male (above 21 years old)
Case 1:
If you’re booking a seat in sleeper coach and your preference is for
upper berth, Rules engine will check your age and gender first. Then it
will check your berth preference. If there are any upper berth
availability, it will be allotted to you. Otherwise, it checks for a
middle berth, side-upper in respected order.
Case 2:
If your berth preference is lower berth with male gender and above 21
years old, then System will check there is any berth around with old
aged peoples. If yes you will get a lower berth. Otherwise, it starts
from a standard order like Upper, Middle, Side Upper, Side Lower, Lower
berths.
