Q-1. “What is a false proceed signal failure?”

A. Section 233.7 states in part: “. . . each failure of an appliance, device, method, or system to function or indicate as required by part 236 of this title that results in a more favorable aspect than intended or other condition hazardous to the movement of a train.”

Q-2. “When is a railroad required to report a false proceed signal failure?”

A. Section 233.7 states in part: “Each carrier shall report within 15 days each failure of an appliance, device, method, or system . . .”

Note that section 233.5 requires that “Each carrier shall report within 24 hours to the Federal Railroad Administration by toll-free telephone number 800-424-0201, whenever it learns of the occurrence of an accident/incident arising from the failure of an appliance, device, method, or system . . .”

Q-3. “What is a “Phantom Signal Aspect” and is it required to be reported to FRA?”

A. A phantom signal aspect is an aspect displayed by a signal, different from the aspect intended, caused by light from some external source being reflected by the optical system of the signal. A phantom aspect is required to be reported as a false proceed, under section 233.7, when it results in a more favorable aspect than intended or other condition hazardous to the movement of a train.

Q-4. “When is a railroad required to submit a report of signal systems and methods of train operation?”

A. Section 233.9 requires that Form FRA F 6180-47, Signal System Five-Year Report, shall be submitted no later than April 1, 1997, and every 5 years thereafter (next report due by April 1, 2007). For new railroads, the report should be submitted prior to their commencing operations.