quick question about tpws

[nicknackpaddywack]

Is there TPWS in the game?


also
Can anyone just quickly explain tpws or direct me to somewhere about it? ie how often the vigilance alrm goes off? and is this linked to the deadman pedal or is that seperate?

[pacerpilot]

There is indeed TPWS in the game, on the Oxford-Padd route.

TPWS is a seperate system to the vigilance /DSD (drivers' safety device/deadmans).
The TPWS system has two main functions, Train Stop and Overspeed.

Overspeed is used on the approach to Stop signals, some permanent speed restrictions and stopblocks at terminus stations. Two TPWS grids/aerials are fitted in the four foot on the approach to said Stop signal/stop block/PSR, at a set distance apart. Once the train passes the first grid, a timer starts on the train, if the train passes the second grid before the timer has run its course, the train is "overspeed" and the emergency brakes are applied. The Speed at which the trigger is set for PSRs is dependant upon the speed restriction ahead and it is always within the braking curve of the train. Eg. on a real route that I sign, the linespeed is 75mph, on a downhill gradient reducing to 25mph at the bottom. The overspeed is set at 45mph (allegedly and Ive not been over it any quicker to prove otherwise)
For stopblocks at Terminus stations, the linespeed is 15mph, Network Rail advise us to approach at 10mph, though company policy is 8mph. As for stop signals, if you're going fast enough to trip the TPWS then you deserve everything you get! GET A YELLOW.....SHOVE THE BRAKE IN!!!

Train Stop is employed at Stop signals where a SPAD would cause considerable bother, ie at a junction.
The two grids are placed right next to each other in-line with the stop signal, and should the train pass the signal at danger, the emergency brakes are applied immediately.

The Drivers Safety Device is a pedal which is held down at all times while the train is in motion. If its released, the driver has around 2 seconds to reapply it before the emergency brakes are applied.
The Vigilance is attached the drivers safety device. If the driver does not operate the brake/dsd pedal/power controller or AWS reset for one minute, then a beeper will sound, and dependant upon the traction type, the driver has 1.5-5seconds to reset the DSD pedal.

Hope thats of help to some of you!

[nicknackpaddywack]

Thanks mate this is great, i seem to remember the TPWS on ox/pad route but havent heard any TPWS alarm since ive played railworks

Thanks again,

[nicknackpaddywack]

If your still watching Pacerpilot, what is the exact function of the DRA?

[pacerpilot]

The Drivers Reminder applicance:

When set to On it prevents the driver taking power. Its used to remind him of a Red signal ahead. We dont always have the luxury of stopping with the signal in view.
For example, I get a single Yellow signal but I have a station stop before the next red signal. Once Ive passed the yellow, and powered off for the station, I apply the DRA. Now when Im stopped, I cant take power again without switching off the DRA, thus reminding me that I've got a red signal ahead.
Now some people say, "surely you'd remember if you passed a Yellow?" Not always, anything could happen at that station stop, unruly passengers casuing problems , a technical fault that you may need to investigate etc..NRN broadcast. Anything could allow your mind to wander, and it has done in the past with fatal consequences (not to me may I add)

[Kromaatikse]

The classic example for the DRA's usefulness is where the red signal is at the end of the platform. Humans are creatures of habit, and it's very easy to pull away from a stop when the "Right Away" is given, without first looking at the signal again. This is officially called "ding-ding and away syndrome", as the Right Away signal in DMUs and EMUs is two beats on the communication buzzer, which used to be a bell.

The Guard is supposed to verify that the signal is not at Danger before giving the Right Away, but mistakes happen here too. The DRA is an additional safeguard, and a TPWS Stop fitted to these signals will also generally eliminate negative consequences, even if the overlap is short, as the train will not be moving quickly by the time it reaches it. I believe the DRA is older than TPWS, though, and TPWS isn't fitted to every signal.

TPWS actually has two components: the Overspeed and the Stop. Overspeeds are not modelled in RW, but are designed to catch trains that are travelling too fast to stop at the signal, and instead stop them in the overlap (the section of track between the signal and the next fouling point). They are also fitted at some speed restrictions, where the intention is to prevent or mitigate derailments (and it's presence will also cause drivers to be more cautious on approach to it). Stops, which are in RW on the Oxford-Paddington route, are fitted just *after* the signal, and are designed to stop trains that run past the signal, again within the overlap.

Essentially, TPWS does not activate unless something has already gone wrong. If you ever see TPWS activate, it's time to have a long hard look at your driving technique. Never seeing TPWS activate is a good thing.

In that respect, it is very different from AWS, whose main purpose is to give information to the driver about upcoming signals - it was originally designed to deal with heavy and/or patchy fog, though it also copes quite well with cases of sudden driver incapacity. AWS activates whenever the driver approaches a signal that isn't at Clear (in RW, only on the colour-light signalled UK routes).

[dean1986]

I remember TPWS was quite active in RS if you went over a ramp 1mph quicker than you should be you get a emergency application where as since I installed MK2 I have not been caught by TPWS once. Does the DRA work in RS/RW I know it works inn BVE 4 and you cant move the train until the DRA is off.

Dean

[paulz6]

I don't think DRA is implemented in RS/RW.

TPWS and AWS may be fitted to semaphore signalling, a real world example being Barnetby in North Lincolnshire. The default AWS scripts don't deal with distant signals though, reading the stop signal ahead instead.

[dean1986]

I think you can turn the DRA on and off with the Voyager but thats about as close as we get.

Dean

[dean1986]

Would it not be easy to do?

[paulz6]

I think you can turn the DRA on and off with the Voyager but thats about as close as we get.

Dean

How does that work?

[dean1986]

I mean I think you can hold the button down and the light comes on thats it!

Dean

[nicknackpaddywack]

The main reason im asking is, im actually designing a DRA circuit into my custom cab controller which im buildingfor RW using matts new joystick driver, so now i know the exact function all my trains will have a DRA