Circular No. 11/2015/TT-BGTVT stipulates the inspection of tail-end signal equipment to replace the train conductor on freight trains.

CIRCULAR

Regulations for inspecting tail-end signal equipment replacing the locomotive cab on freight trains.g

___________________________

Based on the Railway Law 2005;

BASED ON THE LAW ON PRODUCT QUALITY 2007;

On the basis of Decree No. 14/2015/NĐ-CP dated February 13, 2015 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Railway Law;

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular amending and supplementing certain articles of Circular No. 29/2018/TT-BGTVT dated May 14, 2018, issued by the Minister of Transport on quality inspection, technical safety, and environmental protection for railway transportation vehicles, and Circular No. 18/2019/TT-BGTVT dated May 20, 2019, issued by the Minister of Transport guiding the implementation of Decree No. 139/2018/NĐ-CP dated October 8, 2018, of the Government on business operations of vehicle inspection services.

The Minister of Transport issues this Circular regulating the inspection of tail-end signal equipment replacing the locomotive cab on freight trains.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular regulates the inspection of tail-end signal equipment when replacing the locomotive cab on freight trains (hereinafter referred to as Tail-End Signal Equipment) operating on national railways and dedicated railways connected to national railways.

2. This Circular applies to organizations and individuals related to the import, production, assembly, repair, management, and use of Tail-End Signal Equipment operating on national railways and dedicated railways connected to national railways.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1. Tail-end signaling device It is an electronic device used on freight trains without a locomotive cab. The device consists of two main parts: the part at the end of the train and the part in the driver's cabin to help the driver monitor brake pipe pressure and perform emergency braking at the last car during operation.

2. The part at the end of the train is the part installed at the rear of the train with functions to report brake pipe pressure, release air at the last car to facilitate import, report tail-end signals, and transmit tail-end data to the control unit in the driver's cabin via radio waves.

3. The part in the driver's cabin is the part installed in the driver's cabin of the locomotive with the function of controlling the monitoring part at the end of the train to release air for emergency braking at the last car, receiving information from the monitoring part at the end of the train to display for the driver to monitor during train operation.

4. Management and use units of Tail-End Signal Equipment are organizations responsible for managing and using Tail-End Signal Equipment to serve the operation of freight trains.

Chapter II

b) Welding materials must produce welds with a tensile strength no less than that of the base material used to manufacture the cylinders.

Article 3. General Requirements

Tail-End Signal Equipment must meet the following requirements:

1. Monitor brake pipe pressure at the last car of the train;

2. Monitor the connection status of cars during train operation;

3. Record brake pipe pressure at the last car of the train during operation;

4. Control the release of air from the brake pipe at the last car to perform emergency braking;

5. Report tail-end signals.

Article 4. Technical Requirements

Tail-End Signal Equipment must ensure the following technical requirements:

1. Tail-End Signal Equipment must be compact, lightweight, easy to carry, have a hard casing, easy to install, use, repair, and maintain. The equipment must operate normally under harsh weather conditions such as rain, sun, typhoons, and shaking conditions when installed on locomotives and cars.

2. Tail-End Signal Equipment must clearly display information and be readable by the naked eye under daylight or when illuminated by lights at night.

3. Tail-End Signal Equipment must accurately report brake pipe pressure, with the difference between the displayed pressure value on the rear part and the driver's cabin part not exceeding 0.1 bar. The brake pressure gauge on the rear monitoring part must be calibrated and labeled with a seal from the competent authority.

4. Tail-End Signal Equipment must alert the driver when the brake pipe pressure at the last car of the train drops below:

a) 4.6 bar for trains with a brake pipe pressure of 5 bar;

b) 5.6 bar for trains with a brake pipe pressure of 6 bar.

5. Tail-End Signal Equipment must control the release of air from the brake pipe at the last car to perform emergency braking. The time from receiving the command from the driver's cabin part to activating the emergency air release valve at the rear part should not exceed 2 seconds. Upon receiving the braking command, the rear part must open the emergency air release valve and keep it open for 15 to 70 seconds.

6. Tail-End Signal Equipment must continuously transmit information, data, and braking commands from the driver between the rear part and the driver's cabin part via radio waves throughout normal train operation. The radio wave frequency must be authorized by the competent authority.

7. The distance for transmitting and receiving radio waves between the rear part and the driver's cabin part must comply with the manufacturer's specifications and must not be less than 1000 meters.

8. Battery voltage must comply with the manufacturer's specifications. Battery capacity must meet the following requirements:

a) For imported, newly produced, or assembled Tail-End Signal Equipment, it must provide power to ensure continuous operation of the equipment for a minimum of 36 hours;

b) For Tail-End Signal Equipment in operation, it must provide power to ensure continuous operation of the equipment for a minimum of 20 hours.

9. Tail-End Signal Equipment must report tail-end signals day and night. The rear part reports with red lights and automatically adjusts brightness according to environmental conditions.

10. For Tail-End Signal Equipment equipped with motion sensors, the driver's cabin part must display signals on the screen to inform the driver about the movement status of the last car during train operation.

11. For Tail-End Signal Equipment connected to GPS satellite positioning systems and wheel axle counters on railways, the driver's cabin part must display data to assist the driver in monitoring the integrity, length, and changes in length of the train during operation.

12. Tail-End Signal Equipment must accurately record brake pipe pressure at the last car of the train during operation. Data recorded by the equipment must ensure continuity. The equipment's memory must store operational data for a minimum of 55 hours. Data stored in the equipment must be exported and read on a computer.

Chapter III

PROVISIONS ON INSPECTION

Article 5. Inspection of imported, produced, and newly assembled tail signal equipment

1. Application for inspection registration

a) A request for inspection of tail signal equipment from the importing or manufacturing entity according to the form prescribed in Appendix 1 issued together with this Circular;

b) The original or certified copy of the certificate of origin of the tail signal equipment, a copy of the import declaration from the Customs authority (applicable to imported equipment);

c) The original or certified copy of the quality certificate of the tail signal equipment issued by the manufacturer;

d) Technical documentation accompanying the tail signal equipment, confirmed by the importing, manufacturing, or assembling entity.

2. Content and method of inspection

Conduct inspections on each tail signal equipment according to the following contents:

a) Verify the completeness of the application dossier as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

b) Inspect the tail signal equipment when installed on a freight train for actual operation or tested on a test bench or equivalent testing equipment. The inspection content must comply with the provisions of Chapter II of this Circular.

Article 6. Periodic Inspection

When the Certificate of Conformity for tail signal equipment expires as provided for in Article 8 of this Circular, the equipment must undergo periodic inspection.

1. Application for inspection registration

a) An inspection request from the managing and using entity of the tail signal equipment according to the form prescribed in Appendix 1 issued with this Circular.

b) The acceptance inspection report of the tail signal equipment during regular maintenance conducted by the managing and using entity.

2. Content and method of inspection

Conduct inspections on each tail signal equipment according to the following contents:

a) Verify the completeness of the application dossier as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Inspect the tail signal equipment when installed on a freight train for actual operation or tested on a test bench or equivalent testing equipment. The inspection content must comply with the provisions of Chapter II of this Circular.

Article 7. Procedure for Inspection and Issuance of Certificate for Tail Signal Equipment

1. Organizations and individuals submit one set of application dossier to the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency. The dossier includes:

a) For the case of inspecting imported, produced, and newly assembled tail signal equipment: as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 5 of this Circular.

b) For the case of periodic inspection of tail signal equipment: as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 6 of this Circular.

2. The Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency receives and reviews the dossier. In cases where the dossier is incomplete according to regulations, the organization or individual will be guided to complete it immediately on the same working day (for direct submission) or be guided to complete the dossier within two working days from the date of receipt (for submission through postal service). If the dossier is complete according to regulations, the time and place of inspection will be agreed upon with the registering organization or individual.

3. The Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency conducts practical inspections at the agreed location with the submitting organization or individual. If the inspection results are unsatisfactory, the organization or individual will be notified with the reasons stated within one working day. If the inspection results meet the requirements, the Certificate of Conformity for the tail signal equipment will be issued according to the form prescribed in Appendix 2 issued with this Circular within two working days from the end of the inspection.

4. Method of implementation: Organizations and individuals can submit the dossier and receive inspection results directly at the office of the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency or through the postal system.

Article 8. Duration of Effectiveness of the Certificate

1. For Tail Signal Equipment when imported, produced, or newly assembled is 24 months.

2. For Tail Signal Equipment during operation and use is 12 months.

Article 9. Responsibilities of Units Managing and Using Tail Signal Equipment

1. Shall be responsible for managing, repairing, maintaining, and keeping the technical condition of Tail Signal Equipment in compliance with the technical requirements stipulated in Chapter II of this Circular during its operation and use.

2. Shall pay inspection and certification fees for Tail Signal Equipment in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Finance.

Chapter III

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2015.

Article 11. Transitional Provisions

For Tail Signal Equipment that was imported, produced, or assembled before July 1, 2015 but has not yet been inspected and issued a Certificate, periodic inspections must be completed by December 30, 2015.

Article 12. Responsibility for Implementation

The Director of the Office, the Inspector General of the Ministry, Heads of Departments, Directors of the Vietnam Vehicle Inspection Agency, Directors of the Vietnam Railways Administration, General Directors of the Vietnam Railway Corporation, Heads of agencies, organizations, and individuals related to this Circular shall be responsible for its implementation.