At a time when delays and cancellations of several flights, especially in North India, have led to passenger fury, those travelling by train are comparatively experiencing smoother journeys. The reason: Fog Pass.
The Indian Railways has introduced an innovative GPS-enabled device ‘Fog Pass’ to mitigate delays and disruptions due to fog during the winter months. Every year, numerous trains are affected, especially in the northern parts of the country, due to dense fog. Delays used to run into 18–19 hours on some occasions.
The Railways has installed as many as 19,742 ‘Fog Pass’ devices in trains, mostly those operating in the northern division.
‘Fog Pass’ is a navigation device that helps the loco pilot navigate dense fog conditions. It provides real-time information (display as well as voice guidance) to loco pilots regarding the location of landmarks such as signals, level crossing gates (manned and unmanned), permanent speed restrictions, neutral sections etc.
The device displays the next three approaching landmarks in geographical order accompanied by a voice message approximately 500 metres on approach.
SPECIAL FEATURES OF FOG PASS DEVICE:
- Suitable for all types of sections, like single line, double line, electrified as well as non-electrified sections.
- Suitable for all types of electric and diesel locomotives – EMUs/MEMUs/ DEMUs.
- Suitable for train speeds up to 160 kmph.
- It has a built-in re-chargeable battery back-up for 18 hours.
- It is portable, compact, light in weight (not more than 1.5 Kg including battery) and of robust design.
- A Loco Pilot can carry the device easily with him to the locomotive on resuming his duty.
- It can be easily placed on the cab desk of a locomotive.
- It is a standalone system.
- It is unaffected by weather conditions like fog, rain or sunshine.
Speaking to India Today TV, Ravinder Singh, chief local inspector, Northern Division, said the device showed accurate distance from landmarks even under near-zero visibility. During low visibility, the device gives voice commands of the incoming signal and the distance in metres.
“The function of Fog Pass is straightforward yet efficient. Before a journey is commenced, the loco-pilot is provided with the device. The device, complete with an antenna, captures signals and exhibits two modes – automatic and manual,” he said.
“The signal shows the route that the train is taking, and if it doesn’t work, it can be switched to manual mode. It can efficiently display three signals up-front and shows a distance of nearly 999 meters ahead,” Singh further said.