The Digital Navigator: How Route Setting Systems Manage Traffic

The Route Setting System (RSS) is the operational layer that sits above the safety interlocking. While the Interlocking system prevents unsafe movements, the Route Setting System is responsible for efficiently planning and executing the path a train needs to take from Point A to Point B.

From Levers to Algorithms

In the early days of rail, a signalman had to manually pull individual levers for every single switch (turnout) and signal along a train’s path. Today, RSS automates this complex process.

Types of Route Setting

• NX (Entry-Exit) System: The standard for modern control panels. The dispatcher simply selects the “Entrance” signal and the “Exit” destination. The system automatically calculates the best path, moves all necessary switches, and clears the signals.
• ARS (Automatic Route Setting): A fully automated mode where the computer reads the daily electronic timetable. It tracks where trains are and automatically sets routes for them as they approach junctions, without human intervention, prioritizing trains based on schedule adherence.

RSS vs. Interlocking

It is crucial to understand the distinction between these two systems: