10 December, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. Vitebsk railway workers are the first on Belarusian Railways to implement innovative microprocessor technologies, as reported to BELTA correspondent by the unitary enterprise "Vitebsk Branch of Belarusian Railways". The implementation of electric interlocking devices using microprocessor technologies is one of the priority areas of the railway's work, designed to ensure train traffic safety and improve the efficiency of managing the transportation process. The Vitebsk Branch has become a pioneer in the implementation of microprocessor interlocking and electronic automatic block signalling on Belarusian Railways. Currently, work is being completed here to transition stations to microprocessor interlocking and sections to electronic automatic block signalling on the Vitebsk-Polotsk section. The system is already operational at two stations of the Vitebsk Branch of Belarusian Railways - Polotsk and Novopolotsk. Microprocessor interlocking and electronic automatic block signalling ensure high reliability of power supply systems, protection against overvoltages, constant monitoring of the station duty officer's actions, and an extensive diagnostic system that allows monitoring most parameters of all station and field devices. Multi-level control and prompt diagnostics reduce the time required to eliminate malfunctions, prevent dangerous situations, and provide timely information about pre-failure conditions. For example, at Novopolotsk station, which handles up to 1.5 thousand wagons per day, a hump automatic interlocking system has been commissioned for train formation. The system allows for automatic pre-braking, ensuring the necessary wagon collision speed and smooth coupling, which is particularly important when handling dangerous goods. The completion of work on the Vitebsk-Polotsk section is scheduled for the end of the current year. Work on replacing automation and remote control devices with modern microprocessor systems at the Vitebsk Branch of the railway will continue in accordance with the State Program for the Development of Railway Transport of the Republic of Belarus for 2011-2015. -0-

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