Designed, Innovated and Manufactured to protect trains from SPADs
S E RVI N G TH E WO R LD ’ S R A I LWAYS
What the AWS system does
AWS is provided to give train drivers in-cab warnings of
the approach to signals, reductions in permissible speed
and temporary/emergency speed restrictions, and to apply
the brakes in the event that a driver does not acknowledge
cautionary warnings given by the system. Unipart Rail innovated
the electronic AWS receiver which has now replaced the ‘Reed
Relay’ unit. Driver’s Visual
Indicators
How it’s done
An AWS system consists of track mounted and train mounted If the signal is green the electro-magnet is energised, the brake
equipment. On the track the AWS “ramp” (track magnet) as trigger (via control unit) is disarmed, a chime or bell rings
the inductor is known, is placed about 185 metres (200 yards) (AWS alarm/indicator unit) in the driver’s cab and a black
on the approach side of the signal. indicator disc (AWS alarm/indicator unit) is displayed. The
driver takes no action.
The AWS ramp is placed between the rails so that a detector
If the signal is yellow or red, as shown above (Fig. 2), the
(AWS Receiver) mounted on the train will pass over it and
electro-magnet is de-energised, so a siren (AWS alarm/
receive a signal. The ramp will thus warn the driver of the
indicator unit) sounds in the cab and the disc (AWS alarm/
status of the signal. indicator unit) becomes black and yellow. The driver must
The AWS ramp contains a pair of magnets, the first permanent, “cancel” the warning using the acknowledge push button ,
the second an electro-magnet linked to the signal to provide an otherwise the automatic application of the train brakes is
indication of the aspect. The ramp is placed between the rails triggered. The photo (above) shows the AWS “ramp”, as the
so that a detector (AWS receiver) on the train can receive the equipment is called, mounted at the approach to a signal.
indication data. Notes : Unipart scope of supply for train mounted equipment
In operation, the train first passes over the permanent magnet is AWS Receiver, AWS Receiver/Control Unit, AWS Alarm/
and the on-board AWS receiver/control unit sets up a trigger Indicator unit, and Acknowledge push button. Track equipment
for a brake application. Next it passes over the electro-magnet. (magnets) will already be fitted to the infrastructure in MTR.
Copyright © Unipart Rail. December 2015
Direction of travel
BLOCK BLOCK BLOCK
185m
AWS Ramp
between rails
Unipart Rail
Gresty Road, Crewe,
Cheshire CW2 6EH
Tel: +44 (0)1270 847 600
Fax: +44 (0)1270 847 601 Visit www.unipartrail.com for details
email: [email protected] of our Worldwide Regional Offices
