Nasadowsk wrote: ↑Mon Sep 02, 2019 8:35 pmWhat's wrong with a stupid limit switch and wires and a light a few hundred feet away, again?NHCR's system provides an advance indication to the engineer in the cab. Given the potential use at passenger speeds I believe this is what Amtrak wants as well.
The problem with relying solely on the wayside signal is the delay between passing the signal and the switch point. I agree that there are electro mechanical systems (time locks, block occupancy detection with locks etc) that might work as well.
Part of what we are seeing right now is a concerted effort by Amtrak to raise their safety standards. In so doing their requirements now often exceed what the FRA requires.
gokeefe