Vinod Bhat
Indian Railways has taken a significant step towards improving train services during foggy weather in winter months. The provision of 19,742 Fog Pass Devices will ensure smooth rail operations and reduce delays caused by foggy conditions. This initiative is particularly important for the northern parts of the country where a large number of trains are affected every year.
The Fog Pass Device is a GPS based navigation device that assists loco pilots in navigating during dense fog. It provides real-time information through its display and voice guidance about the location of fixed landmarks such as signals, level crossing gates, speed restrictions, and neutral sections. It also displays approach indications of the next three fixed landmarks in geographical order, accompanied by voice messages when approaching within approximately 500m.
These Fog Pass Devices have been provisioned to various Zonal Railways across the country. The highest number of devices, 4,491, has been provided to Northern Railway, followed by South Eastern Railway with 2,955 devices and East Central Railway with 1,891 devices. The devices have been tailored to suit different types of sections, including single and double lines, electrified and non-electrified sections, and various types of locomotives such as electric, diesel, EMUs, MEMUs, and DEMUs. They can be used at train speeds up to 160 KMPH and have a built-in rechargeable battery backup for up to 18 hours.
The Fog Pass Device is designed to be portable, compact, and lightweight, weighing no more than 1.5 Kg including the battery. It can be easily carried by loco pilots and placed on the cab desk of the locomotive. The device is standalone and remains unaffected by weather conditions like fog, rain, or sunshine.
The introduction of these Fog Pass Devices will greatly enhance passenger safety, reduce delays, and improve the reliability of train services during foggy weather. Indian Railways’ effort to implement advanced technology to overcome weather-related challenges demonstrates their commitment to providing a seamless and safe travel experience for passengers.
