HomeAnasayfa / ProgrammeProgram / RSM 511E
Optional compulsory course of the electrical & electronics option, taught in English.
Dates
29 September 2025 - 2 January 2026
Instructor and Co-Instructor
Prof. Dr. M. Turan Söylemez
Faculty of Electrical and Electronics Eng./ Control and Automation Eng. Dept.
Room: 4207, Tel: 0212 – 285 35 70
E-mail:soylemezm@itu.edu.tr
R. A. Dr. Serhat Boynukalın
Graduate School / Railway System Engineering Master Program
Room: 5003, Tel: 0212 – 285 69 87
E-mail:boynukalin@itu.edu.tr
Course Hours:
Thursday (09:30 – 12:29)
Location
EEF - 5106
Books
1) Theeg G.; Vlasenko S., Railway Signalling & Interlocking, 3rd Edition, Eurailpress, 2020
2) Railway Signalling and Track Plans, 2007
3) C. F. Bonett, Practical Railway Engineering, Imperial College Press, 2005
Grading policy
20% Midterm Exam
25% Homework Assignments (3)
25% Final Project & Presentation
30% Final Exam
Condition for Entering Final Exam:
All homework assignments must be submitted in time, and the weighted average of homework assignments and the midterm exam must be over 25 (over 100).
Weekly planHaftalık plan
| Week | Date | Subjects to be covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 Sep. | Introduction to the course, Basic characteristics of railway systems. History of signalling. Basic signalling principles. - Time table and train order - Token signalling - Staff and ticket - Block signalling |
| 2 | 7 Oct. | Introduction to RAMS Analysis for Railways - Reliability - Availability - Maintainability - Safety and Security RAMS and Risk Analysis - Hazard and Risk - Verification and Validation - Relevant Standards - The V Model - Risk Matrix - FTA Analysis |
| 3 | 14 Oct. | RAMS and Risk Analysis - Other Risk Analysis Methods - Errors, Failures and Disturbances - System States - Evaluation of Safety and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) - Development of Safe Programs Railway operation processes - Historical background - Basic definitions (tracks, signals and their classifications) - Interlocking areas - Train movements and shunting movements - Fixed block and moving block signalling - Calculation of block times and headway |
| 4 | 21 Oct. | Interlocking principles - Route and block principles - Element dependencies - Route protection - Parts of a route (beginning, end, running part, flank, overlap) - Speed restrictions - Basic route locking functions |
| 5 | 28 Oct. | Interlocking principles - Flank protection - Front protection - Overlaps - Life Cycle of Routes - Reversible and irreversible route locking - Interlocking tables |
| 6 | 4 Nov. | Interlocking principles - Automation of route operation - Block dependencies and block protection - Block overlaps - Absolute and permissive block systems |
| 7 | 11 Nov. | Interlocking principles - Managing block direction (neutral vs placed direction, tokenless block systems) - Following protection by block systems - Handling train movements in block systems - Degraded mode of operation |
| 8 | 18 Nov. | MIDTERM EXAM |
| 9 | 25 Nov. | Detection systems - Classification of detection systems - Detection equipment - Track Circuits - Axle Counters |
| 10 | 2 Dec. | Movable track elements - Simple points - Fouling points - Movements on switches - Railway crossings - Catch points, trap points and derailers - Safety requirements - Point machines |
| 11 | 9 Dec. | Signals - Classification of signals - Light signals - Control and supervision of signals - Signal aspects - Signalling speed restrictions - Shunting signals and degraded mode of operation - Case studies |
| 12 | 16 Dec. | Train Protection - Cab signalling functions - Supervision functions - Automation of train operation - Data transmission (systems) - Classification of train protection systems - Case studies - ETCS - ATP and braking curves |
| 13 | 23 Dec. | Interlocking machines: mechanical, relay and electronics. Line block systems. Remote control and operation technology. Level Crossings. Moving block signalling and ETCS. Hazard alert systems. |
| 14 | 30 Dec. | PROJECT PRESENTATIONS |