Weichenabschnitten

Weichenabschnitt is a term used in railway signaling and track engineering to denote the track portion located in the vicinity of a turnout (Weiche) that is treated as a distinct, allocated section of the route by the signaling interlocking. The Weichenabschnitt is the part of the track for which the interlocking monitors occupancy and the alignment of the turnout (straight or diverging) as part of routing decisions.

The boundaries of a Weichenabschnitt are defined by the particular signaling system and installation standards. They typically include the track immediately inside and outside the turnout and may extend to adjacent blocks or track circuits. The exact length and limits depend on national regulations, interlocking type, and the configuration of the turnout and surrounding track.

In operation, when a route through a turnout is selected, the corresponding Weichenabschnitt is allocated to that route. Train protection systems detect whether the section is occupied and, if necessary, prevent conflicting movements from being accepted. Only after the section is verified clear and the turnout is properly set will signals permit a train to proceed along the chosen path.

Weichenabschnitte are a fundamental element of safety in block and interlocking systems, contributing to safe train separation, clear route designation, and reliable operation of complex track layouts. Their specific implementation varies by country and signaling technology, but the basic principle is the same: define, monitor, and control the portion of track that passes through a turnout.