Optonator - The Fibre Optic Railway Detonator

More information

Detonators, explosive devices placed on the rails, are used for the protection of the line or to protect engineering works.

When a train passes over a detonator the intention is for the resulting explosion to alert the driver to stop. Note that they are not intended to warn track workers.

Low cost modern disposable device

Now in the light of recent accidents, not least the tragedy at Tebay in 2004, Park Signalling have taken a fresh look at the problem and invented a low cost modern disposable device, which could be used to reinforce or even in some circumstances, replace the detonator. We have studied the testimony of one of the work colleagues of those who died at Tebay. He commented that, whilst the wagon rolled over the stop board and detonators, that was two miles from where the men were working and hence was 'too far for them to hear the bangs'.

Fibre optic based rail vehicle sensor

Park Signalling's invention aims to reinforce or replace detonators with a fibre optic based rail vehicle sensor, housed in a railway detonator casing. The aim is to provide advance warning to the site of work, of any incursion into the possession. The remote sensor unit triggers an alarm, via a radio link, to wherever the local monitor unit has been set up. The detection equipment is designed to be fail safe.

Improved track worker safety

Park Signalling are confident that the equipment, named the 'Optonator®', will provide a low cost, expendable fibre optic addition to the conventional detonator, which will improve track worker safety. With the number of items of rail mounted plant and equipment we now use, not to mention the expansion in the availability of more and more highly productive road/rail machines, this invention must be seen as a welcome and complementary potential advance in track worker safety.