DESIGN PRACTICE NOTE

POINT MACHINE HAND/MOTOR CONTROL

PROVING FOR POINTS IN THE OVERLAP
L1-NAM-INS-021 Version: 1 Effective from: 5th February 2014

Approval

Amendment Record

Approval Date Version Description

05/02/2014 1 Initial Issue under MTM

Approving Manager: Chief Engineer Approval Date: 5/02/2014 Next Review Date: 5/02/2016
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 DESIGN PRACTICE NOTE
POINT MACHINE HAND/MOTOR CONTROL
PROVING FOR POINTS IN THE OVERLAP
L1-NAM-INS-021 Version: 1 Effective from: 5th February 2014

Table of Contents

1. Purpose........................................................................................................................ 3

2. Scope ........................................................................................................................... 3

3. Abbreviations and Acronyms ..................................................................................... 3

4. Background ................................................................................................................. 3

5. The Issue ..................................................................................................................... 3

6. The Requirement ......................................................................................................... 3

7. Responsibilities ........................................................................................................... 4

8. References and Legislation ........................................................................................ 4

Approving Manager: Chief Engineer Approval Date: 5/02/2014 Next Review Date: 5/02/2016
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 DESIGN PRACTICE NOTE
POINT MACHINE HAND/MOTOR CONTROL
PROVING FOR POINTS IN THE OVERLAP
L1-NAM-INS-021 Version: 1 Effective from: 5th February 2014

1. Purpose
To describe the proving requirements for hand or motor control of dual control point
machines in signal overlaps within the MTM network.

2. Scope
This Design Practice Note is aimed at all projects modifying existing and new signalling
interlockings containing dual control point machines.
This document replaces VRIOGS 012.1, section 6.10.9 b) iii).
This document clarifies the requirement of VRIOGS 012.1 Section 6.10.9 a) (iv) and
VRIOGS 12.0 section 4.1.1.

3. Abbreviations and Acronyms

MTM Metro Trains Melbourne
RRL Regional Rail Link
VRIOGS Victorian Rail Industry Operators Group Standards

4. Background
Hand/motor control proving is provided by a contact in a dual point machine. This contact
is utilised in an interlocking to prove if the point machine is in hand (manual) or motor
control. It is known in computer based interlockings as the “J-bit”. The J represents “dual”
as per VRIOGS 012.0.4.

5. The Issue
The current industry practice and standards (VRIOGS) do not meet the requirements of
MTM in respect to hand/motor control proving for points in signal overlaps. Current
practice proves facing and trailing point machines in motor before allowing main arm
aspects or low speed aspects to clear. In addition, there are contradictions within the
VRIOGS standards 12.0 and 12.1. (See sections listed above in 2).

6. The Requirement
Facing and trailing points in the block for main arm and low speed aspects shall be proven
in motor control.
Facing and trailing points in the overlap of main arm aspects shall be proven in motor
control.
Facing and trailing points in manual control in the overrun of low speed signals shall not
prevent the signal from clearing unless specifically required by risk assessment and
approval by the Chief Engineer via the standard waiver process (L1-CHE-PRO-001).
For all new interlocking, or alterations to existing computer based interlocking, the
hand/motor control proving shall be provided as a separate input to the interlocking.

Approving Manager: Chief Engineer Approval Date: 5/02/2014 Next Review Date: 5/02/2016
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 DESIGN PRACTICE NOTE
POINT MACHINE HAND/MOTOR CONTROL
PROVING FOR POINTS IN THE OVERLAP
L1-NAM-INS-021 Version: 1 Effective from: 5th February 2014

Where an existing relay interlocking contains the hand/motor control contact in series with
point detection, then compliance with this document will be at the discretion of the Chief
Engineer via the standard waiver process (L1-CHE-PRO-001).

7. Responsibilities
All planned works to cater for this design requirement.

8. References and Legislation

This document is to supplement and clearly define MTM’s requirements in relation to
VRIOGS 12.0, 12.0.4 and 12.1.
L1-CHE-PRO-001 Standard Waiver Procedure

Approving Manager: Chief Engineer Approval Date: 5/02/2014 Next Review Date: 5/02/2016
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