IRSE News 138 Oct 08.pdf

More documents

Recommendations

Info

THORROWGOOD STUDY TOUR IRSE Annual Younger Members’ Seminar Expanding Scotland’s Railways The YM of the IRSE would like to remind you that their annual conference will take place on Thursday 20 November 2008. The seminar will include a number of presentations on exciting Scottish projects and a site visit to the new West of Scotland Signalling Centre. Projects featured will include: Airdrie to Bathgate – reinstating a railway; Glasgow Airport Rail Link and Paisley Corridor Renewal – merging enhancements with renewals; a view from the engineer and the operator; Edinburgh Tram – bringing light rail to Edinburgh City Centre; World Class Railway – Network Rail’s vision for the future, with the Edinburgh to Glasgow Main Line at the forefront.; West of Scotland Signalling Centre – utilising current technology with MCS (Modular Control System) interfacing with Westlock. The event will be held in the IET Teacher’s Building in Glasgow and will be free to attend. This opportunity can only be repeated if it is strongly supported. Please complete the application form enclosed with this magazine, download the form from www.irse.org/YoungerMembers.html or email lynsey.hunter@networkrail.co.uk with your contact details. Please remember, there are no age restrictions to YM events. This event is open to all, there is no requirement to be a member of any institution. The signalling system is a SELTRAC S40 fixed block system. The system ensures that one ‘virtual block’ separation is kept between the train and the closest obstruction. Fixed block train detection is provided by axle counters. The axle counter sections are divided in to smaller fixed ‘virtual blocks’ by radio transmission between lineside antennae and the vehicles. Discussion MTR Disney Train There are two points that I would like to make in concluding this report. The first relates to the standardisation of signalling MMI displays. There are a number of different MMI display formats used within Hong Kong, within the Tsing Yi control room there are two different display formats that are side by side. Colours are used to represent different state and attribute on the different display formats, for example track section occupancy. Having observed the operational controls rooms in Hong Kong, I believe that if well managed, MMI standardisation is not necessary. The traffic controllers generally only use one type of MMI format and as such there is little danger of misinterpretation. Indeed it may be beneficial to standardise MMI formats to allow personnel to move around the control centre without the need for additional training, however operational effectiveness of Tsing Yi control centre demonstrates that this is not an essential factor. The second point that I would like to make is related to automatic train operation (ATO). Although ATO is often considered to be high-tech and cutting-edge, the technologies upon which ATO is based can now be considered to be mature. Lille line 1 (France) was the first FAO (Fully Automated Operation) service and has operated since 1983. Applications since then include the Vancouver Sky Train (currently the longest driverless network), Docklands Light Railway, Singapore MRT, Paris Metro, Manila Light Rail and the Hong Kong MTR Disneyland Resort line. There are many advantages for ATO. One key advantage is improved performance as a result of reduced operator error. Commercially, ATO is a long-term, cost effective solution that allows an organisation to remain competitive for a longer time period. Operationally, ATO can allow for greater flexibility and efficient recovery from failure. Acknowledgment I wish to thank the MTR Corporation for their hospitality and support in Hong Kong, and in particular Peter Chung (the 2004 Thorrowgood Scholar) for organising and running the tour. I would like to thank the IRSE, for awarding me the Thorrowgood Scholarship, which financed this tour. Finally, I would like to thank my employer, Siemens Transportation Systems, for giving me the time to undertake this tour. 20 Issue 138 October 2008 IRSE NEWS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT City & Guilds, the Engineering Council UK and Professional Body Working Together to provide a route to Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) Incorporated Engineers (I.Eng) Chartered Engineering (C.Eng) Academic Level Examinations. It may be news to members that the Engineering Council UK (EC UK ) have for many years operated an examinations service which acts as an alternative route towards membership of a number of licensed UK Professional Engineering Institutes and Societies. This article provides information on this service and so may be of help to existing members in upgrading their status or indeed provide a flexible route for budding engineers who require an alternative route of attaining the academic requirements required by professional bodies other than having to follow the Degree or other formal qualification route. Membership of such bodies leads towards registration with EC UK as a professional Engineer. EC UK and City and Guilds EC UK and the Higher Level Qualifications department of City and Guilds have joined forces in order to provide an enhanced EC UK examination service with a wider International Reach. This cooperation may be of benefit to those who wish to attain membership of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers and so open up the route to registration with the Engineering Council UK as a Technician Engineer, Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer. City and Guilds The City & Guilds’ mission is to enrich people’s lives as the world’s leading provider of vocational qualifications for work and adult life. City and Guilds is committed to the spirit of lifelong learning as a means for all to fulfil their potential. Employers worldwide recognize that City and Guilds qualifications helps to develop a qualified workforce, equipped with the competencies that have made the City & Guilds name synonymous with workplace excellence. City & Guilds started with just 202 candidates in 1878 and now issues over one and half million certificates every year to candidates in 100 countries. Recognition Certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas awarded by City & Guilds are accepted throughout the world as evidence of skills and knowledge certificated to UK standards. Furthermore, a growing number of educational institutions and professional bodies have formally recognised achievement of certain City & Guilds qualifications as meeting entry requirements and enabling exemption from some examinations. Engineering Council The Engineering Council UK is the UK registration authority for professional engineers, working in partnership with 35 professional engineering institutions. It regulates the engineering profession in the UK, and through its international network, helps to maintain a world-class engineering workforce and provides standards against which overseas professional engineers are judged. The Examinations are recognised as the academic standard for registration as an Engineering Technician (Eng Tech), IRSE Incorporated Engineer (I.Eng) and Chartered Engineer (C.Eng). They are also an excellent choice for those wishing to complete a respected British engineering qualification without pursuing an accredited degree. Equally they are for those who have a nonaccredited degree and wish to undertake further qualifications to meet the required standard. Engineering Council examinations The Engineering Council Examinations do not set any restrictions on the combination of subjects selected or the length of time taken to complete a component. However prospective candidates must be aware that, if they wish to join a professional institution in order to gain Eng Tech, I.Eng or C.Eng registration or to further their career in general, the institution may set its own limits in order to meet particular membership standards. It is vital, therefore, that prospective candidates seek the advice of the respective professional UK engineering institution prior to beginning their study. Progressive levels The structure permits an individual to study at their own pace once a choice of subjects has been made, and to take as few or as many papers as they wish each year: there is no time limit for the completion of any of the three levels which are: The Engineering Council Certificate The Engineering Council Graduate Diploma The Engineering Council Postgraduate Diploma Why Follow the Engineering Council Examinations route? The Engineering Council route is transparent, complies with UK-SPEC (the standards for registration with EC UK for Eng Tech, I.Eng and C.Eng). Many UK universities accept the EC UK examinations as entry into MSc programmes EC UK exams can be used as a progression route by holders of certain City & Guilds International Vocational Qualifications (IVQs) and also Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). To gain academic qualifications acceptable for entry into certain UK Professional Institutions at C.Eng level (and will help at Eng Tech and I.Eng levels) Students can study at their own pace with a wide variety of subjects to choose from according to the students own expertise and intended future direction. Students can take as many or as few papers at a time The engineering faculties of Universities are likely to cover a large proportion of the EC UK syllabuses and so coverage of the EC UK syllabuses may require only top- up courses or study The City & Guilds name is known in over 100 countries so bringing international recognition to EC UK through the association.” There is no academic penalty for failing a paper Students can incorporate studies into their lifelong learning plan Students can progress to the highest levels of Engineer status at their own pace and circumstances. Wide choice of papers available. Holders of C.Eng, I.Eng and Eng Tech may apply for City & Guilds Senior Awards of MCGI, GCGI and LCGI respectively (Membership, Graduateship and Licentiateship). IRSE NEWS Issue 138 October 2008 21
Page 1 and 2: 138 Cover.qxp 17/09/2008 12:35 Page
Page 3 and 4: IRSE NEWS is published monthly by t
Page 5 and 6: National Diploma Accredited Centre
Page 7 and 8: TECHNICAL IRSE of the broader goals
Page 9 and 10: TECHNICAL IRSE Two main aspects of
Page 11 and 12: TECHNICAL IRSE An Experience of 24-
Page 13 and 14: TECHNICAL IRSE new system, one afte
Page 15 and 16: TECHNICAL IRSE Time taken for compl
Page 17 and 18: INDUSTRY NEWS IRSE Consortium sign
Page 19 and 20: INTERESTING SIGNALS + CURIOSITY COR
Page 21: THORROWGOOD STUDY TOUR IRSE In-Cab
Page 25 and 26: SECTION NEWS IRSE Midland & North W
Page 27 and 28: SECTION NEWS IRSE Younger Members M
Page 29 and 30: SECTION NEWS able to impart revisio
Page 31 and 32: THE IRSE PRINTERS The Footballing C
Page 33 and 34: FEEDBACK IRSE Dear Editors Level Cr
Page 35 and 36: OBITUARIES He was a tenpin bowler,

IRSE News 138 Oct 08.pdf

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?