On 26 May 2005 15:36:17 -0700, ONscotland wrote:
The term "signal failure" is a bit of a misnomer - it indicates to the
general public that the signal mechanism isn't working, when, according
to TfL, it means that the signal has failed to go back to green.

Exactly. The signal hasn't failed, because its primary purpose is to
prevent a collision. It has succeeded. Given the choice between being
dead or slightly delayed, I feel most commuters would elect delayed.

However, an efficient railway need not be unduly delayed by such a
failure. If only the signalling mechanism has failed, then it's going to
be cost-effective to dedicate a couple of staff to operating the system
the old fashioned way until the problem can be rectified. It's the lack
of mamnagement imagination needed to see that which irritates people.
--
http://gallery120232.fotopic.net/p9680076.html
(73 126 on a mixed freight working at Worthing in 1985)