Signaalirajale

Signaalirajale is a term that appears in some Estonian-language discussions about railway signaling. It is not an established term in international railway nomenclature, and there is no consensus on a single, standard definition. The word seems to be formed from signaal (signal) and rajale (to the track / onto the rails), suggesting a relationship to trackside signaling concepts.

Possible meanings of signaalirajale include: a trackside signaling device mounted on or near the rails intended to convey signals directly to train movements, independent of cab signaling; a conceptual or technical idea for transmitting signaling information to equipment located on the track, such as point machines or trackside sensors, to actuate safety or operational functions; or a metaphorical term used in academic or hobbyist writings to refer to on-track signal operations.

In mainstream railway signaling, established categories include fixed signals (such as semaphores and colour-light signals), cab signaling, and interlocking systems. Trackside devices traditionally communicate with trains via track circuits, axle counters, or balises, and modern systems like ERTMS/ETCS integrate trackside and cab-based information to control train movements. If signaalirajale is used, its meaning is usually determined by the context in which it appears and may refer to any mechanism that delivers signaling information to on-track equipment or directly to trains.

As with many neologisms or localized terms, precise interpretation depends on the source. See also railway signaling, interlocking, track circuits, cab signaling, ERTMS/ETCS.