ProRail blunder: more visible signal turns out not to be visible enough

There are ten thousand signals in the Netherlands and hardly anything has changed in seventy years. Yes, the light bulbs became LED lamps and the underlying technology was modernized. But there were never any noticeable changes. Until last year.

Visibility issues

In November 2022, the first six suddenly arrived so-called New Generation (NG) Signals, next to the tracks at Meteren, between Geldermalsen and Zaltbommel. Instead of three separate lamps, the new signals only had one, which shines green, yellow or red. Those colors would also be ‘clearer and more quickly visible’.

Moreover, the light intensity was variable, so that ‘the signal is clearly visible even at dusk, dense fog, heavy rain and sunshine’. Finally, a reflective edge around the signal itself would be good for visibility in the dark.

The NG signal had been worked on since 2018, in close consultation with, among others, the rail carriers. The signals were also tested with drivers to further improve the design.

Until 2024, ProRail expected to install several hundred NG signals throughout the Netherlands. But in a letter (pdf) to outgoing State Secretary Vivianne Heijnen of Infrastructure and Water Management, ProRail suddenly reported last month that during safety tests ‘problems with visibility were found in certain circumstances’.

The letter does not make it clear exactly what problems there are, but it seems that the ‘compactness’ of the signal means that you will miss it if you pass by with your train faster than 40 km per hour. This means that the new signal is literally not safe to use.

Big consequences

“Extremely annoying,” says ProRail. State Secretary Heijnen is ‘surprised’ and has questions.

The consequences are now great. In 2024, 15 projects were planned that would use the new signal. In order for this to continue, the existing type of signals must be used. But this is only possible for 12 of the 15 projects and, according to ProRaol, costs extra time and capacity.

There is no time for two projects. This involves converting the railway yard near The Hague and adjustments to tracks and platforms at and between Tilburg and Tilburg University stations. Some of that work has to be moved.

The third project that is affected is the Kijfhoek freight yard, which must be made safer with additional signals. That makes the blunder extra painful, because the safety at Kijfhoek is in the past was a concern.