Indian Railways to arrange fog pass equipment to ensure smooth operation during foggy weather

A Fog Pass Device is a GPS-based navigation device that helps the locomotive pilot navigate during dense fog.

Every year, a large number of trains suffer from foggy weather in the winter months. (File)

Fog Pass Devices: Every year, a large number of trains are affected by foggy weather in the winter months, especially in the northern parts of the country. To ensure smooth railway operations, the Indian Railways has provisioned 19,742 Fog Pass devices during foggy weather. This initiative marks a crucial step in improving the reliability of train services, reducing delays and improving overall passenger safety.

A Fog Pass Device is a GPS-based navigation device that helps the locomotive pilot navigate during dense fog. It provides real-time onboard information (both display and voice guidance) to locomotive pilots regarding the location of fixed landmarks such as signal, level crossing (manned and unmanned), permanent speed limits and neutral sections, etc. It shows approach indications of the next three approaching fixed landmarks in geographical order, accompanied by a voice message for approximately 500 meters on approach.

Details of Fog Pass devices supplied to Zonal Railways are as follows:

No. Zonal railways Number of furnished devices

1 Central Railroad 560

2 Eastern Railroad 1103

3 East Central Railroad 1891

4 East Coast Railway 375

5 Northern Railroad 4491

6 North Central Railroad 1289

7 Northeastern Railway 1762

8 Northeast Frontier Railroad 1101

9 Northwestern Railroad 992

10 South Central Railroad 1120

11 South Eastern Railway 2955

12 Southeast Central Railroad 997

13 Southwest Railroad 60

14 West Central Railroad 1046

Total: 19742

General features of the Fog Pass device:

Suitable for all types of sections, such as single line, double line, electrified and non-electrified sections.
Suitable for all types of electric and diesel locomotives, EMUs/MEMUs/DEMUs.
Suitable for train speeds up to 160 km/h.
It has a built-in rechargeable backup battery for 18 hours.
It is portable, compact in size, lightweight (no more than 1.5 kg including battery) and has a rugged design.
Loco Pilot can easily take the device with him to the locomotive when he resumes duty.
It can be easily placed on the cab desk of the locomotive.
It is a standalone system.
It is not affected by weather conditions such as fog, rain or sunshine.