The following dedicated telecommunication facilities are required for transmitting commands and information.
* Dispatching direct telephones: Direct telephones which are used for communication between the train dispatcher, Head Office dispatchers and adjacent train dispatchers.
* Dispatching telephones: Direct telephones between the train dispatchers and each station and operation depot which are used to transmit commands and convey information.
* Interstation direct telephones: Direct telephones between adjacent stations which are used to inform of blocking or train departure. Telephone terminals are installed on these lines at the necessary locations between stations to allow the connection of portable telephones for communication between drivers or maintenance staff and stations. Terminal boxes on trunk lines also contain telephones.
* Interstation block telephones: Direct telephones between adjacent stations which are used exclusively for establishing substitute block systems when operation cannot be handled with the normal block systems.
* Facsimiles: Used to transmit commands from the train dispatcher to each station and operation depot when the operation plan is changed.
(2) CTC (Centralized Traffic Control)
CTC equipment allows train dispatchers in CTC centers to understand the train operating conditions within a railway division and performs direct remote control for each station route according to the train diagram.
CTC center equipment includes centralized control panels, display panels, train number describer units, train diagram recorders and other devices. However, auxiliary control panels are installed at each station for use in the event of a CTC system failure. The aims and effects of introducing CTC are as follows.
a Labor-saving for operation related duties at stations
All route setting is performed by remote control from CTC centers, making operation related duties which were formerly performed at each station unnecessary.
b Increasing traffic control swiftness and accuracy
The latest train position and open route conditions are displayed in real time at CTC centers. Therefore, train dispatchers do not have to gather information in order to
