ELIMINATE HUMAN FACTOR DERAILMENTS AT SWITCHES
Railroad switch targets in use today are old, corroded, damaged, ambiguous, or simply missing. Over 30% of all FRA reported train derailments are human factor incidents, the majority of these occur at switches.
Ambiguous targets lead to more confusion and increase the likelihood of run through switches and derailments. These derailments disrupt rail service, are costly to fix, and threaten operators lives.
Derailments attributed to HFI
A SWITCH INDICATOR THAT IS CLEAR, HIGHLY-VISIBLE, AND TALKS TO OPERATORS.
The Way Switch Indicator is a railroad switch target that corresponds to the switch points and tells operators which way a switch is lined. The patented double-arrow design points the same direction as the gap in the switch points, so operators have a double check of every switch they line.
The Way utilizes the power of 3M High Intensity Prismatic reflective sheeting with over 10x more reflective power than standard switch targets. The aluminum structure provides 10 years of guaranteed visibility in the toughest weather conditions.
The Way Switch Indicator reduces human factor incidents by changing behavior. They only way to confirm the direction of travel at switches is by “reading” the gap of the switch points. If the gap is on the left, the train will go left; and if the gap is on the right, the train will go right. Operators should 1) Look at the gap; 2) Point the direction of the gap; 3) Confirm that the arrow also points the same direction. This provides a 3 step process to confirm the direction of travel at every switch.
In railroad switching, the gap governs the direction of travel. The Way Switch Indicator is the only target that corresponds to the gap in the switch points, helping operators be aware of which side the gap is on and not line a switch incorrectly.
The Way Switch Indicator is made with a High Intensity Prismatic Reflective Vinyl by 3M. This provides over 10 times more reflective power than other switch targets. Reflective power increases visibility and promotes awareness to operators for day and night operations.
Using a variety of old worn out switch targets creates confusion and is useless for operators. By standardizing your yard and creating uniformity with The Way Switch Indicator your operators have consistent visual representation of the way tracks are lined which will reduce human factor derailments.
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
The Way Large Switch Indicator is used for high switch stands only. This comes with a round mount and is adaptable to any large round switch stand. Size is 13" vertically, and the arrow and tail are each 9" measured horizontally. Available in any standard railroad color for yard or mainline use.
Adapts to any Switch with a round mast.