block system
Quick Summary
The block system is a method used in railroads to divide tracks into short sections, typically three to four miles long. Trains are managed by signals to ensure that no train enters a section until the preceding train has cleared it. This system is a distance-interval method, an improvement over earlier time-interval systems.12
Block signals are fixed signals placed at the entrance of a block to control trains entering and using that section. The development of the block system, often automated, significantly enhanced railroad safety by preventing trains from occupying the same track section simultaneously.345
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
