Subway signal control system for New York City Transit Pelham Line

Fundamental to the safety and efficient operation of rail transit systems, the signal control system has evolved over the last 150 years to increase system capacity and safety. This paper describes many of the fundamentals of railroad signal engineering as well as more advanced circuits and design aspects particular to the New York City Transit System. The design of a new signal system for the Pelham Line in The Bronx is described in general and specific circuit and manipulation chart designs are given close attention. Techniques for designing greater flexibility of operation and simplifying control logic circuits are described through example.