After a six-month trial at Cologne and Hannover, DB Fernverkehr introduced a new despatch procedure nationwide with effect from 17 October. Provided the signalling shews a "proceed" aspect, the aim is that trains will now start to move at zero seconds of the departure-minute. Until now it was normal for all doors save one to be closed immediately after the stated departure-time, with the Zugchef (i.e. Guard or "Train Captain") then operating the Zp9 system to give the driver the right-away, getting back into the train, and closing the remaining door. This meant that in practice a train could not theoretically leave before 31 seconds after departure-time. The close-door process, which according to train-type requires from 30 to 45 seconds, will now start in advance of the stated departure-time and the driver will receive the right-away over the intercom system.
(DB Fernverkehr is the last user of the Zp9 facilities as pretty well all the local traffic providers have their own despatch arrangements which do not use these signals. For Fernverkehr their use has given rise to some difficulties since the abolition of most of the platform supervisors who used to operate them and the pass of their working to the Zugchef. Where there are still supervisors, they will continue to be used, and in Munich there is even a founr-month trial re-introduction.)
(DB Fernverkehr is the last user of the Zp9 facilities as pretty well all the local traffic providers have their own despatch arrangements which do not use these signals. For Fernverkehr their use has given rise to some difficulties since the abolition of most of the platform supervisors who used to operate them and the pass of their working to the Zugchef. Where there are still supervisors, they will continue to be used, and in Munich there is even a founr-month trial re-introduction.)