GUWAHATI: A portable device called Fog Pass has been successfully introduced in trains running in Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) system recently. The device is low-cost, Global Positioning System (GPS)-based equipment used by train drivers during foggy winter months when visibility reduces and running trains at permissible speed becomes risky. The device is an audio-visual navigation assistant in essence and displays the name and distance of approaching signals and other critical landmarks on track like Level Crossing Gates etc., as well as provides voice guidance on real-time basis.
The device is carried by train drivers whenever they are entrusted with running a train and not fitted permanently in locomotives. The device weights less than 1.5 kg and runs on rechargeable Li-ion batteries which can run the device for 18 hours without recharging.
A total of 1101 Fog Pass devices have been introduced in N. F. Railway so far. It is issued to all Loco Pilots (train drivers) of Mail, Express, Passenger and Goods trains the moment they report for duty. The device has enhanced confidence of the drivers in running a train at its permissible speed during winter months. The use of such a device is expected to ensure that trains do not lose punctuality during foggy conditions prevalent during the winter season.
The introduction of Fog Pass device is in line with recommendation of the High-Level Safety Review Committee (Kakodkar Committee) constituted by the Ministry of Railways in 2011. The Committee had given 106 recommendations, out of which 68 recommendations have been found fully acceptable and 19 partially acceptable. Indian Railway has already implemented 22 recommendations of the committee.