§ Mr. John BrowneTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will require British Rail to install an electronic warning device in railway signals that would sound an alarm horn in the train driver's cab if the engine were to pass a signal set at red.
§ Mr. FreemanMost of the BR network is already fitted with an automatic warning system—AWS—which sounds a warning horn every time the train approaches a signal showing a restrictive aspect—double yellow, yellow or red. When the train approaches such a signal, the driver has to acknowledge the AWS by pressing a button which silences the warning horn and causes an indicator disc to display black and yellow segments as a reminder to the driver. If he does not acknowledge the warning within three seconds, the brakes of the train will be applied automatically. The AWS does not distinguish between the different restrictive aspects.
BR is also evaluating two automatic train protection—ATP—systems which will automatically slow a train which passes a double yellow or yellow, to a speed which will enable it to stop at the next red signal. ATP will also automatically impose any speed restriction required, including temporary ones required for track maintenance.