New Delhi: As part its effort to prevent
train mishaps in adverse weather conditions, Railways is
planning an advanced `biometric vigilance` system onboard
engines to alert the locomotive drivers.
The system will read the attention span of the motormen,
record the same in the onboard system and warn the driver
before applying automatic brakes, said a top railway official
today.
The warning system would be on the lines of other
technologies like the `vigilance control device` and `train
protection warning system`, which has been implemented on a
small scale in the Delhi-Agra section.
These technologies have already been put in places in the
Mumbai and Chennai suburban section, Member (Electrical)
Railway Board Sudesh Kumar said.
He said this when asked on the steps Railways were taking
to prevent train mishaps during foggy conditions.
Three train mishaps between Allahabad and Etawah last
Saturday due to poor visibility had claimed 10 lives.
Kumar said an inquiry into the accidents were on and the
exact cause can only be ascertained only after it was over.
He said technologies which can also help the driver read
the signal within the locomotive itself is also being
explored.
Kumar said upgrading the signalling system is one of
the big challenges for railways.
He added, "Train Protection Warning System has been put
in place on a pilot scale on the Delhi-Agra section, while
the vigilance control device has been installed in a few other
engines".
The drivers have also been advised to exercise all
precautionary measures during fog while running trains, he
said.
-PTI
