Train dispatch

[brick60000]

Hello all

I've always had some questions about the role of the train dispatcher / platform assistant on LU stations:

- What is the 'message' of the bat being raised to the driver (e.g. as on mainline where it is station work complete, etc.?)
- Why is the bat kept raised as the train departs
- Why does the bat have a white cross opposed to solid white as on mainline railways?

These questions have always intrigued me, just never thought to ask!

Many thanks in advance,

Brick60000

 

[bluegoblin7]

The 'meaning' of the baton depends on the function being performed - there are two. SATS (Station Assistant Train Services) duties are purely for dwell time management, and the baton is advisory from the SA to the T/Op to confirm that station duties are completed and it is safe to depart. However, it is only advisory and the T/Op can depart a platform before receiving the baton. It should only be raised once the starter has cleared (or target point has advanced on ATO lines).

The other is Assisted Dispatch, a safety critical activity used during degraded working. If a T/Op cannot see the entirety of the PTI from their OPO monitors they will request an SA to carry this out. They are confirming that it is safe to close the doors and that the train can depart with no PTI issues. Again, it should only be done when the station starter is clear. In this practice the responsibility for dispatch passes partially or wholly to the SA who will agree with the T/Op what part of the PTI they are covering, and what handsignal(s) or otherwise they are going to use - for this reason you may also see this taking place via a raised arm, because often there isn't chance to get a baton if assisted dispatch is requested at short notice.

The baton should remain raised until the first car has left the platform, but many SAs choose to keep it up for the entirety of the train's departure. It means that should any issues arise as the train pulls away action could be taken to get the train stopped (via a hand signal) slightly quicker than it otherwise might; of course, this method is only useful on lines with in-cab OPO monitors, rather than platform-mounted ones.

Finally, the baton is coloured as it is for clarity - many of the OPO cameras are of low quality, as are monitors, so the pattern means that it stands out better against a busy platform background.

SATS = Station Assistant Train Services
SA = Station Assistant
T/Op = Train Operator
ATO = Automatic Train Operation
PTI = Platform-Train Interface
OPO = One Person Operation

 

[brick60000]

The 'meaning' of the baton depends on the function being performed - there are two. SATS (Station Assistant Train Services) duties are purely for dwell time management, and the baton is advisory from the SA to the T/Op to confirm that station duties are completed and it is safe to depart. However, it is only advisory and the T/Op can depart a platform before receiving the baton. It should only be raised once the starter has cleared (or target point has advanced on ATO lines).

The other is Assisted Dispatch, a safety critical activity used during degraded working. If a T/Op cannot see the entirety of the PTI from their OPO monitors they will request an SA to carry this out. They are confirming that it is safe to close the doors and that the train can depart with no PTI issues. Again, it should only be done when the station starter is clear. In this practice the responsibility for dispatch passes partially or wholly to the SA who will agree with the T/Op what part of the PTI they are covering, and what handsignal(s) or otherwise they are going to use - for this reason you may also see this taking place via a raised arm, because often there isn't chance to get a baton if assisted dispatch is requested at short notice.

The baton should remain raised until the first car has left the platform, but many SAs choose to keep it up for the entirety of the train's departure. It means that should any issues arise as the train pulls away action could be taken to get the train stopped (via a hand signal) slightly quicker than it otherwise might; of course, this method is only useful on lines with in-cab OPO monitors, rather than platform-mounted ones.

Finally, the baton is coloured as it is for clarity - many of the OPO cameras are of low quality, as are monitors, so the pattern means that it stands out better against a busy platform background.

SATS = Station Assistant Train Services
SA = Station Assistant
T/Op = Train Operator
ATO = Automatic Train Operation
PTI = Platform-Train Interface
OPO = One Person Operation

Thanks! That's superbly detailed!!