NFR introduces 'Fog Pass' device

Guwahati, Nov 10 (IANS) The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has introduced a portable device called the Fog Pass in trains that will help drivers' visibility during the foggy winter months, an NFR spokesman said on SaturdayNFR chief spokesman Pranav Jyoti Sharma said that the device is a low-cost, Global Positioning System (GPS) based equipment to be used when visibility reduces and running trains at permissible speed becomes risky. "The device is an audio-visual navigation assistant in essence and displays the name and distance of approaching signals and other critical landmarks on track like Level Crossing Gates," Sharma said."It also provides voice guidance on real-time basis."According to the spokesman, the device was not a permanent fixture but can be carried by drivers whenever required."It weighs less than 1.5 kg and operates on rechargeable Li-ion batteries which can run the device for 18 hours without recharging," he said, adding that a total of 1,101 Fog Pass devices have been introduced in the NFR.The introduction of the device is in line with the recommendation of the High-Level Safety Review Committee (Kakodkar Committee) constituted by the Ministry of Railways in 2011. The Committee had given 106 recommendations, out of which 68 recommendations have been found fully acceptable and 19 partially acceptable. Indian Railways has already implemented 22 recommendations of the committee.
--IANS ah/ksk/bg