Test 19
I. Match the words.
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1. continuous
a. разрешать
2. ensure
b. предотвращать
3. pass
c. цель
4. prevent
d. ось
5. allow
e. проходить
6. device
f. точный
7. axle
g. следовать за
8. purpose
h. обеспечивать
9. exact
i. непрерывный
10. follow
j. устройство
II. Choose the correct word.
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a) allow b) current c) circuit d) blocks e) relay f) enter
1. The invention of the track ___ (patented in 1872) provided the basis for automatic signals set by each train as it passed.
2. Automatic signals are operated by an electric ___ passed through the rails.
3. The dispatcher operates each switch and signal, and these are interlocked to make impossible a combination of signals that would ___ two trains to the same track.
4. When a train is on the line the signal current takes the shorter path through its wheels and axles, thus de-energizing the track ___.
5. The railway is divided into intervals of space known as ___.
III. Decide if the sentences are true (t) or false (f).
1. Track circuit is a safety device.
2. The important principle which is still followed is that more than two trains must not be allowed to be in the same block section on the same track at one time.
3. At the beginning of the 20th century colour light signals began to be replaced by the semaphore signals.
4. Track circuit involves the passing of electric current through one of the running rails of a section of the line, then through a track relay and back through the other rail, thus completing the circuit.
5. With CTC, train movements over territories varying in length from a few miles to several hundred are controlled by signals electrically operated from a central point.
Unit 20
Read the text.
Dispatching Advances Will Boost Efficiency
By Tom Schmidt, Vice-President, Advanced Signalling & Dispatch Technology, CSXT
1. Among the major US railroads, CSX Transportation has been at the forefront of technological innovation, including pioneering the recent trend towards centralized train dispatching for an entire network at a single location. It is over 10 years since we opened the Dufford Transportation Centre in Jacksonville, Florida, to consolidate our railroad’s operations management functions.
2. Since then, we have gained many benefits from consolidation, and have learned by experience the potential pitfalls. In many ways, improvements in railroad safety and efficiency have followed the advances in communications technology. We have come a long way since stations had to be built at 16 km intervals because that was the practical limit for sending a telegraph signal!
3. By the mid 1980s, CSXT had 650 dispatchers at 33 locations scattered across 40 000 route-km in 22 states east of the Mississippi. Many of these locations were equipped with outdated technology, with electro-mechanical switches and push buttons to set individual turnouts or clear signals. The cost of updating these systems was a major factor in the decision to invest in a modern, centralized facility using the latest communications and signaling technologies.
4. Around the clock, seven days a week, the 240 dispatchers at the Dufford Centre handle around 1 400 trains a day on approximately 29 000 route-km. Of this, 12 800 km is equipped with a traffic control system (TCS) using lineside signals, and most of the rest is under direct train control (DTC).
5. The improvement resulting from the consolidation has been spectacular, with a significant reduction in operating expenses and the elimination of much obsolete field equipment. Computers allow dispatchers to cover greater territories by removing paperwork; for example, train sheets on which dispatchers recorded by hand the names of the crew and the progress of the train are now prepared automatically.
6. Dispatchers communicate with crews in their territories via radio, using hundreds of base stations strategically placed across the network, and linked to the centre via leased telephone lines. The overall level of radio coverage is excellent.
7. In addition to dispatchers, the centre houses locomotive distribution and train performance managers in a single location, greatly improving the efficiency of train operations.
8. Configured in three tiers, the circular room is 46 m in diameter, with large colour-coded wall displays providing a schematic overview of the network. Information displayed to the dispatchers includes train identities and locations, along with signal, turnout and track status. Workstations have colour consoles able to display close-ups of parts of the big screen, and touch-screen monitors for managing communications links.
9. The quality of communication over long distances has been excellent, and we have planned for emergency situations by providing toll-free telephone numbers for local police departments to contact Jacksonville. If any train or maintenance of way crew member holds down the ‘9’ button on his radio, he is automatically connected to a dispatcher, who is immediately informed that it is an emergency call.
Read and remember the meanings of the words and phrases.
recent – недавний
dispatching – диспетчеризация, отправление (поездов)
entire – весь
network – сеть
consolidate – объединять, consolidation – объединение
management – управление
benefit – выгода
experience – опыт
advance – успех
communication – связь
outdated – устаревший
update – модернизировать
decision – решение
facility – оборудование
handle trains – пропускать поезда
lineside signal – линейный путевой сигнал
result from – следовать, происходить в результате
reduction – снижение
operating – эксплуатационный
expenses – расходы
elimination – ликвидация
allow – позволять
remove – устранять
train sheet – график движения поездов
excellent – превосходный
distribution – распределение
colour-coded wall display – стенной дисплей с цветной маркировкой
overview – обзор
identity – идентичность
location – место, положение, местонахождение
turnout – стрелочный перевод
workstation – автоматизированное рабочее место
emergency – крайняя необходимость
close-up – крупный план
quality – качество
immediately – немедленно