OREANDA-NEWS. In 2013, 56 trains went through a red light on the main lines used by passenger trains. That is 25% less than in 2012. The number of red-light overruns whereby the train ends up in a potentially dangerous situation has also gone down.

This reduction in the number of signal overruns continues a trend which was started in 2010. Since that year, the number of offences on main lines has been reduced by half. Red-light overruns which create potentially dangerous situations, such as intersections with other tracks at switch points, have gone down by 15% compared to the previous year and by 43% when compared to 2010.

Faster installation of safety systems

Infrabel, SNCB and the rail operators are doing their utmost to bring down the number of signal overruns even further. Their measures include various action plans and awareness-raising campaigns. Infrabel is also gradually installing the automatic stopping system TBL1+. This safety system ensures that the train's emergency brake is automatically applied if the train approaches a red signal too fast. All major junctions have now been equipped with this technology.

The equipment used for TBL1+ is perfectly compatible with the European Train Control System (ETCS), which monitors the speed of trains. If the train driver does not keep to the maximum speed limit, does not brake in time or drives through a red light, the emergency brake is automatically applied.

The Belgian rail network will be completely equipped with ETCS by the end of 2022.

The objective is to permanently increase the general level of safety across the entire Belgian rail network, making it one of the top 3 safest rail networks in Europe.

Extra safety measures for branch lines

The number of signal overruns on branch lines has gone up slightly from 42 in 2012 to 44 in 2013. These include diversion routes, shunting yards, etc. on which trains are driven mainly without passengers on board and often at low speed. There is therefore a much lower risk of accidents happening on branch lines as a result of signal overruns. Infrabel is working to improve safety communication between signal boxes and train drivers and to increase the awareness of all the staff involved. This is all part of its efforts to reduce signal overruns on these branch lines as well.