Slow zone

A speed restriction is a track section of a railway line which must not be driven with the permitted speed limit for this section. Speed ​​restrictions are usually announced and limited by low-speed signals ( Lf). We distinguish temporary and permanent speed restrictions, which are treated differently operationally and signals differently. Be temporarily set up in a weekly published compilation announced ( with " La " for short ) for a particular distribution and are therefore referred to in the railwaymen jargon as La sites. The permanent speed restrictions are already incorporated into the schedules with the corresponding speed data. Outfitted they are mainly by the railway infrastructure company in Germany by DB Netz AG.

Temporary speed restrictions

Temporary speed restrictions may be established if the condition of the track or a building makes a reduction in the speed necessary for the protection or in the wake of construction sites or for other operational reasons. The train staff are usually made known by notice in the La, weekly updated compilation of temporary speed restrictions and other features, as well as by signaling locally those services. For the latter, the signals Lf serve one low-speed disc, 2 Lf Lf top plate and end plate 3. The low-speed disc is in braking distance before the beginning of disc and carries a code indicating the tenth part of the disc from the beginning not to be exceeded up to the end disk speed in km / h. If there is no signaling, the driver receives instead a written order. If a temporary speed restriction is lifted prematurely again, so often the Lf - signals are first not degraded, but instead provided with invalidity crosses to explicitly signal the lifting (even if contrary to the information in the La). The example picture shows such be crossed out Lf 1

Critics criticize the number of slow travel places in the network of the Deutsche Bahn. So was carried out in 2005 by a network of private railways investigation, an increase in the number of Las in Bavaria and Baden- Württemberg in the year from 255 to 352 (total length: 261 to 387 km). This is contrary to statements of Deutsche Bahn, after which the number of speed restrictions would be kept constant overall. Critics also suggest a significant underreporting of temporary speed restrictions, which have been incorporated over the years in the regular schedules. A similar study in the mid 2005 examined the number of speed restrictions to mid-2004 in Hesse and Rhineland -Palatinate, determined a decrease of 11 percent, while the length had increased by 14 percent.

Permanent speed restrictions

Permanent speed restrictions are set up in the main of danger points, for example at level crossings with poor visibility, or in front of buildings such as train scales and movable bridges that require a longer period to reduce the speed. These speed restrictions are incorporated into the stitching speed (see Buchfahrplan ).

Slowly driving signals Germany

Slowly driving signals Austria

The signals for the identification of temporary speed restrictions in Austria are similar in appearance, except for small differences in appearance, have been prepared in Germany low-speed signals.

Slowly driving signals Switzerland

The permanent speed restrictions are usually established in curves that can only be driven at a reduced speed. They are marked with speed bumps in the path table, which is loaded in the LEA. Along the way, these are indicated with the corresponding speed boards. These signs will not be erected within the first and last points of a train station.

Temporary speed restrictions, mostly due to construction, will be posted and can be viewed electronically. But can not be announced at least 72 hours in advance this, the driver is in addition to pass a message.

Does the pre-signal two -speed data, the upper (lower ) speed for trains of Zugreihen A and D as well as for shunting and lower speed for trains of the higher Zugreihe R. applies

From the following initial signal, the signaled maximum applies.

Below is a rectangular white plaque with a black border and two black.

The top speed indication on the rectangular panel applies to the Zugreihe A, the lower for the Zugreihe R.

If several different speed limitations behind each other in a signaled track, is at a distant signal, indicating a higher speed, note the following:

• The distant signal is considered final signal for the previous speed restriction, which has a lower speed.
• The distant signal only has a flashing orange light and is made ​​initial signal for the second, at a higher speed to be traveled speed restriction.
• This distant signal is not equipped with train protection.

If the normal stop location of the trains is in stations and stops after the pre - or early signal and the start or the end signal from the normal stop location is not visible, a repetition signal is asserted. As the repeating signal is:

• A second distant signal (without command ) when this is about to speed restriction; or
• Set up a second start signal, if this is in the area of ​​speed restriction.