ISO 9001:2008

Delhi Metro Rail

Corporation
Training Institute
ISO 9001:2008

ESSENTIALS OF
INTERLOCKING

INTERLOCKING

INTERLOCKING means an arrangement of

signals, points and other appliances,
operated from a panel or lever frame, so
interconnected by mechanical locking or
electrical locking or both that their operation
must take place in proper sequence to
ensure safety.

ISO 9001:2008

Essentials of Interlocking

It shall not be possible to take off a running

signal, unless all points including isolation are
correctly set, all facing points are locked and
all interlocked level crossings are closed and
locked against public road for the line on
which the train will travel, including the
overlap.

ISO 9001:2008

After the signal has been taken off, it shall not

be possible to move any points or lock on the
route, including overlap and isolation, nor to
release any interlocked gates until the signal is
replaced to the on position.

ISO 9001:2008

It shall not be possible to take off at the

same time, any two fixed signals which can
lead to any conflicting movements.

ISO 9001:2008

Where feasible points shall be so interlocked

as to avoid any conflicting movement.

ISO 9001:2008

ISOLATION means an arrangement, secured

by the setting of points or other approved
means, to protect the line so isolated from the
danger of obstruction from other connected line
or lines.
OVERLAP means the length of track in
advance of a stop signal, which must be kept
clear, either for clearing the stop signal next in
rear or for the purpose of granting permission to
approach.
ISO 9001:2008

Failure in any
of
the
components
or
subsystem shall
result in safe
side failure of
the system

Second
clearing would
require
Normalising of
preceding
operation

Normal Danger
Fail
System, One
Safe
Driver should be able to react to the
Operation One
Aspect of the Signal from
Minimum Feature
SD
of
a
Clearing
the foot of the Signal. This is so
of the
No. of
Signal
in case of MA Signalling.
Signal
Signals
to be
Aspects shall be Distinctive &
Zero
un-ambiguous. Action required
Block & On a
on Indication shall be definite
Route
Yard
One Aspect
& capable of easy
Signalling to be
One Indication
implementation
Principles
independent
of
Visibility of
Continuous
If not visible, Repeating
Signalling
Signal from
Indications are
to
be
Visibility of
provided. Repeaters also
the
Place
of
Signal to
required at the place of
Operation
Driver
Operation
of
Block

Dictum of Minimum Signals in a

Route enables smooth flow of Traffic
with minimum exertion & strain to the
Driver
The two should be insulated
from each other to the extent
possible to provide flexibility
in operation
Determines the Location
of the Signal. Should
remain continuously
visible after it is picked up
by the Driver

Uniformity of Signalling on a
section is important from Drivers
view point. It means, he knows
what to come next & when

Uniformity

Overlaps
RAMS

High Reliability
& Availability.
Easy & Quick to
Maintain &
Service Plus
built-in
Redundancies
for Fall-back
option

ISO 9001:2008

Operation
Friendly
Includes
facilities of
Shorts Shunts,
Simultaneous
Moves &
Standby
Modes of
working

Instruments
Overlap must be included in the SIP.
Overlap, being a function of Aspects,
should reduce with increase in the
number of Aspects in a Signalling
system