The Northam facility in Southampton is the latest to benefit from a midlife overhaul on their Depot Personnel Protection system (DPPS). The original DPPS was installed in 2001 and has helped the depot retain an excellent safety record.
Four roads in the main shed and four sidings roads are now operating the New Generation DPPS, which protects both staff and infrastructure from the inherent dangers in a rail depot. The system is more user friendly that its predecessor, offers increased functuality and is easier to maintain and upgrade.
Zonegreen has installed new powered derailers at Northam and integrated them with existing audible and visual warnings of vehicle movements. All roads have also been equipped with the latest slimline road end panels that are used to control the system. Staff log on using personalised datakeys when they begin work, creating safe zone by preventing the derailer being lowered and blocking train activity.