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 plan
Fall 2025 course 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 |