656

Test 19

I. Match the words.

1. continuous	a. разрешать
2. ensure	b. предотвращать
3. pass	c. цель
4. prevent	d. ось
5. allow	e. проходить
6. device	f. точный
7. axle	g. следовать за
8. purpose	h. обеспечивать
9. exact	i. непрерывный
10. follow	j. устройство

II.Choose the correct word.

a)allow b) current c) circuit d) blocks e) relay f) enter

1.The invention of the track ___ (patented in 1872) provided the basis for automatic signals set by each train as it passed.

2.Automatic signals are operated by an electric ___ passed through the rails.

3.The dispatcher operates each switch and signal, and these are interlocked to make impossible a combination of signals that would ___ two trains to the same track.

4.When a train is on the line the signal current takes the shorter path through its wheels and axles, thus de-energizing the track ___.

5.The railway is divided into intervals of space known as ___.

III. Decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F).

1.Track circuit is a safety device.

2.The important principle which is still followed is that more than two trains must not be allowed to be in the same block section on the same track at one time.

3.At the beginning of the 20th century colour light signals began to be replaced by the semaphore signals.

4.Track circuit involves the passing of electric current through one of the running rails of a section of the line, then through a track relay and back through the other rail, thus completing the circuit.

5.With CTC, train movements over territories varying in length from a few miles to several hundred are controlled by signals electrically operated from a central point.

Unit 20

Read the text.

Dispatching Advances Will Boost Efficiency

By Tom Schmidt, Vice-President, Advanced Signalling & Dispatch Technology, CSXT

1.Among the major US railroads, CSX Transportation has been at the forefront of technological innovation, including pioneering the recent trend towards centralized train dispatching for an entire network at a single location. It is over 10 years since we opened the Dufford Transportation Centre in Jacksonville, Florida, to consolidate our railroad’s operations management functions.

2.Since then, we have gained many benefits from consolidation, and have learned by experience the potential pitfalls. In many ways, improvements in railroad safety and efficiency have followed the advances in communications technology. We have come a long way since stations had to be built at 16 km intervals because that was the practical limit for sending a telegraph signal!

3.By the mid 1980s, CSXT had 650 dispatchers at 33 locations scattered across 40 000 route-km in 22 states east of the Mississippi. Many of these locations were equipped with outdated technology, with electro-mechanical switches and push buttons to set individual turnouts or clear signals. The cost of updating these systems was a major factor in the decision to invest in a modern, centralized facility using the latest communications and signaling technologies.

4.Around the clock, seven days a week, the 240 dispatchers at the Dufford Centre handle around 1 400 trains a day on approximately 29 000 route-km. Of this, 12 800 km is equipped with a traffic control system (TCS) using lineside signals, and most of the rest is under direct train control (DTC).

5.The improvement resulting from the consolidation has been spectacular, with a significant reduction in operating expenses and the elimination of much obsolete field equipment. Computers allow dispatchers to cover greater territories by removing paperwork; for example, train sheets on which dispatchers recorded by hand the names of the crew and the progress of the train are now prepared automatically.

6.Dispatchers communicate with crews in their territories via radio, using hundreds of base stations strategically placed across the network, and linked to the centre via leased telephone lines. The overall level of radio coverage is excellent.

7.In addition to dispatchers, the centre houses locomotive distribution and train performance managers in a single location, greatly improving the efficiency of train operations.

8.Configured in three tiers, the circular room is 46 m in diameter, with large colour-coded wall displays providing a schematic overview of the network. Information displayed to the dispatchers includes train identities and locations, along with signal, turnout and track status. Workstations have colour consoles able to display close-ups of parts of the big screen, and touch-screen monitors for managing communications links.

9. The quality of communication over long distances has been excellent, and we have planned for emergency situations by providing toll-free telephone numbers for local police departments to contact Jacksonville. If any train or maintenance of way crew member holds down the ‘9’ button on his radio, he is automatically connected to a dispatcher, who is immediately informed that it is an emergency call.

Read and remember the meanings of the words and phrases.

recent	недавний
dispatching	диспетчеризация, отправление (поездов)
entire	весь
network	сеть
consolidate, consolidation	объединять, объединение
management	управление
benefit	выгода
experience	опыт
advance	успех
communication	связь
outdated	устаревший
update	модернизировать
decision	решение
facility	оборудование
handle trains	пропускать поезда
lineside signal	линейный путевой сигнал
result from	следовать, происходить в результате
reduction	снижение
operating	эксплуатационный
expenses	расходы
elimination	ликвидация
allow	позволять
remove	устранять
train sheet	график движения поездов
excellent	превосходный
distribution	распределение
colour-coded wall display	стенной дисплей с цветной маркировкой
overview	обзор
identity	идентичность
location	место, положение, местонахождение
turnout	стрелочный перевод
workstation	автоматизированное рабочее место
emergency	крайняя необходимость
close-up	крупный план
quality	качество
immediately	немедленно

1. Translate these attributive groups into Russian.

Our railroad’s operations management functions (paragraph 1), railroad safety (2), traffic control system (4), direct train control (5), train operations (7), locomotive distribution and train performance managers (7), train identities and locations (8), signal, turnout and track status (8), train or maintenance of way crew member (9).

2.What part of speech are the words in bold in the text?

3.Match the terms with the definitions.

1) something new that is introduced.	a) screen
2) a device that gives information in a visual form.	b) workstation
3) an unexpected situation or sudden occurrence of a serious	c) network
and urgent nature that demands immediate action.
4) a place in an office where a person works, especially with a	d) facility
computer.
5) something resembling a net in consisting of a number of	e) innovation
lines or routes that cross, branch out, or interconnect.
6) a phosphorescent surface upon which the image is formed.	f) emergency

7) a piece of equipment, a building, a service, etc., that is g) display provided to facilitate an action or process.

4. Put the words in the correct order to make sentences.

1)dispatchers, to cover, computers, territories, paperwork, allow, greater, by removing.

2)via, with, radio, crews, dispatchers, communicate.

3)network, of, the, a, overview, provide, colour-coded, displays, large, wall, schematic.

4)train sheets, by hand, the, the, crew, names, of, on, recorded, were.

5. Complete the sentences.

1.CSX Transportation is ……….

a)a US railroad

b)a station

c)a dispatching center

2.In the early 20th century stations had to be built at 16 km intervals because ………

a)CSXT had 650 dispatchers at 33 locations

b)dispatcher locations were scattered in 22 states

c)that was the limit for sending a telegraph signal

6. Which is an extra phrase?

1.Opening Dufford dispatching center resulted in

a)the decrease in operating expenses

b)the elimination of obsolete field equipment

c)greater territory coverage

d)the increase in the number of dispatchers

e)removing paperwork

2.Information displayed to the dispatcher includes

a)train identities

b)train locations

c)signal indication

d)track status

e)telephone numbers

7. Which sentence proves the statement?

CSXT was the first US railroad to control all its trackage from one location.

1)The cost of updating these systems was a major factor in the decision to invest in a modern, centralized facility using the latest communications and signalling technologies.

2)It is over 10 years since we opened the Dufford Transportation Centre in Jacksonville, Florida, to consolidate our railroad’s operations management functions.

3)Among the major US railroads, CSX Transportation has been at the forefront of technological innovation, including pioneering the recent trend towards centralized train dispatching for an entire network at a single location.

4)Since then, we have gained many benefits from consolidation, and have learned by experience the potential pitfalls.

8. Make up a summary of the text.

9. Work in groups. Discuss the questions.

1)What innovation introduced by CSXT is described in the text?

2)Why was it necessary to make changes on CSXT railroad?

3)What benefits were gained from consolidation?

4)Describe the present CSXT railroad.

5)Describe the Dufford Centre.

6)What can you say about a dispatcher workstation?

7)What has CSXT planned for emergency situations?

10. Read the text and render it in English.

Диспетчерский центр управления Свердловской железной дороги позволяет сконцентрировать управление в едином центре. Диспетчерское руководство ДЦУ охватывает более 360 станций и 5,8 тысяч км эксплуатационной длины Свердловской дороги, что составляет 82 % ее протяженности. Протяженность диспетчерского участка в среднем составляет 266 км. В здании ДЦУ расположены помещения для диспетчеров, зал с большим табло, где в реальном времени отображаются положение поездов, графики и диаграммы выполнения работы, дороги, участки и направления движения поездов. Компьютеры и новые технологии позволяют улучшить контроль за движением поездов, повысить уровень безопасности движения и эффективность работы дороги, а также снизить эксплуатационные расходы. Разработаны и внедрены автоматизированные рабочие места по управлению локомотивным парком.

Optional tasks

1. What is the base form of the words?

Being, identities, tiers, equipped, evaluating, greater, latest, continued.

2. Find the words with the following suffixes in the text.

The suffixes of nouns: -er (-or), -age, -ance (-ence, -ancy, -ency), -ion (-ation, -tion, -sion), -ment, -ty (-ity).

The suffixes of adjectives: -al, -ant(-ent), -ar, -ic.

The suffixes of verbs: -ate (-ute).

The suffixes of adverbs: -ly, -wards.

3. Read the words and say what words they come from.

Greatly, computer, elimination, improvement, decision, safety, performance.

4. Think of the Russian words with similar pronunciation.

Innovation, consolidation, efficiency, dispatching, centralize, function, potential, factor, invest, result.

5. Find in the text the synonyms of the following words.

Up-to-date, outdated, eliminate, total, decrease (n), arrange.

6. Find in the text the opposites of these words.

Outdated, increase (n), by hand.

7. Decide if the verb to be is a main verb, an auxiliary verb used to form the Continuous Tense or Passive Voice, or a modal verb in each of the sentences.

1) That was the practical limit for sending a telegraph signal.

2) Many of these locations were equipped with outdated technology.

3) We have learned the potential pitfalls, and today we are evaluating improvements.

8. Decide if the verb to have expresses possession, obligation (a modal verb) or it is used to form the Perfect Tense in each of the sentences.

1) Since then, we have gained many benefits from consolidation.

2)In the 19th century stations had to be built at 16 km interval.

3)By the mid 1980s, CSXT had 650 dispatchers at 33 locations.

9. Find in the text the sentences with passives. Change these sentences into passive.

1)A crew member informs a dispatcher about an emergency situation.

2)Wall displays provide a schematic overview of the network.

Test 20

I. Match the words.

1. advance	a. усовершенствование
2. emergency	b. объединение
3. improvement	c. местонахождение
4. facility	d. автоматизированное рабочее место
5. location	e. связь
6. provide	f. экран
7. screen	g. крайняя необходимость
8. workstation	h. обеспечивать
9. consolidation	i. оборудование
10. communication	j. успех

II. Choose the correct word.

a) communicate b) includes c) allow d) handle e) houses f) recent

1.The Dufford centre ___ dispatchers, locomotive distribution and train performance managers in a single location.

2.Dispatchers at the Dufford Centre ___ 1 400 trains a day on 29 000 route-km.

3.Computers ___ dispatchers to cover greater territories by removing paperwork.

4.Dispatchers ___ with crews in their territories via radio

5.Information displayed to the dispatchers ___ train identities and locations, along with signal, turnout and track status.

III. Decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F).

1.The Dufford Centre is equipped with electro-mechanical switches and push buttons to set turnouts or clear signals.

2.CSXT controls its entire network from one location.

3.In the early 20th century stations had to be built at 16 km intervals because CSXT had 650 dispatchers at 33 locations.

4.The Dufford dispatching center allowed CSXT to increase the number of dispatchers.

5.Dispatchers at the Dufford Centre perform a lot of paperwork.

Unit 21

Read the text. Choose the correct answer.

1.Each freight-yard office is equipped / is produced with a computer input device.

2.The central computer is usually located at a freight-yard office / company headquarters.

3.An individually coded transponder is read by a railroad’s managers / scanners beside the track.

4.Customers can have access to the information on their consignments / the status of the track.

5.The data produced by the computer are used to aid in distributing cars / scanning the information at trackside.

Computerization of Railroad Operations

Computers have found many uses as a railroad management aid. In rail freight operation, each freight-yard office or terminal is equipped with a computer input device. Through this device, full information about every car movement taking place at that point can be placed directly into the central computer, usually located at company headquarters. From data received from all the freight-yard offices and terminals on the railroad, the computer can produce trainconsist reports, car-location reports, car-movement information, traffic-flow data and data on the freight car needs at each location to aid in distributing empty cars for loading. Computers enable railroads to plan most efficient use of locomotives and cars. Each car is fitted with an individually coded transponder that is read by electronic scanners at trackside. Major customers can be equipped for direct access to the railroad computer system, so that they can instantly monitor the status of their freight consignments.

Another important application of computers is to passenger train seat and sleeping berth reservation.

Computerization has given a railroad’s managers a complete, up-to-the-minute picture of almost every phase of its operations. Such complete information has proved a powerful tool for optimizing railroad operations, controlling costs, and producing better service.

Read and remember the meanings of the words and phrases.

freight operation	грузовые операции
equip	оборудовать
input device	устройство ввода
point	пункт
directly	непосредственно
locate	располагать (помещать)
data	данные
traffic-flow	грузопоток
fit	снабжать
customer	клиент
access	доступ
freight consignment	отправка груза
application	применение
reservation	бронирование, предварительный заказ

1. Group the words which can go together.

1. input	a. flow
2. traffic	b. access
3. empty	c. device
4. car	d. picture
5. complete	e. location
6. direct	f. car

2. Find in the text the words which mean:

1.Electronic machine that processes data.

2.Visual display unit.

3.Information.

4.Device that enables data to go into the computer’s memory.

5.Device for recording something using beams of light.

3. Work in pairs. Discuss the functions the computer performs as a railroad management aid.

Optional tasks

1. Answer the questions.

1.What is a computer?

2.Do you own a computer? Do you have access to the Internet?

3.How often do you use your computer? What do you use it for?

4.Do you know how to download / delete files?

5.Have you ever crashed your computer? What happened?

6.Has your computer ever had a virus? What did you do?

7.Are there any disadvantages of using a computer?

2. a) Which of the following items are part of a computer (PC), a railroad car (RC)? Write them under the correct heading.

keyboard monitor body door

mouse central processing unit brakes wheels

PC	RC

b) Say what each item does. Use the prompts.

The keyboard is the part of the computer that we use to type data into it.

Prompts

•to execute program instructions and coordinate the activities of all the other units

•to move around on the screen and to issue instructions to the computer very quickly

•to display data

•to carry passengers or freight in it

•to stop motion of a train

•to close off an entrance

•to carry a vehicle

3. Make collocations with information and computer.

central	complete
	access to the
to receive	information
	computer
use of the	system

Test 21

I. Match the words.

1. enable	a. порожний
2. receive	b. грузопоток

3. customer	c. распределять
4. application	d. снабжать
5. empty	e. клиент
6. distribute	f. применение
7. data	g. непосредственно
8. fit	h. давать возможность
9. directly	i. данные
10. traffic flow	j. получать

II. Choose the correct word.

a) read b) enable c) produce d) loading e) access

1.The computer can ___ train-consist reports, car-location reports, car-movement information, trafficflow data and data on the freight car needs.

2.The computer can aid in distributing empty cars for ___.

3.Computers ___ railroads to plan most efficient use of locomotives and cars.

4.Each car is fitted with an individually coded transponder that is ___ by electronic scanners at trackside.

5.Major customers can be equipped for direct ___ to the railroad computer system.

III. Decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F).

1.Computers have found many uses as a railroad management aid.

2.Each freight-yard office is equipped with a computer input device.

3.The central computer is usually located at a freight-yard office.

4.An individually coded transponder is read by managers.

5.Customers can have access to the information on the status of the track.

Unit 22

Read the text quickly. Write the number of the paragraph that gives you the information.

1.What is logistics?

2.Logistics activities.

3.Traffic management.

Logistics

1. Logistics is the organized movement of materials and, sometimes people. The term was first associated with the military but gradually spread to cover business activities. Logistics implies that a number of separate activities are coordinated. In 1991 the Council of Logistics Management, a trade organization based in the United States, defined logistics as: “the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements.” Logistics also