UK Signalling Tags OSM

Please Read Contribution Statement at the Bottom!

This scheme is built on top of those tags already suggested here. As well as staying as compatible as possible with the schemes created for other countries.

Eventually this will be migrated into a git repository with all variations including potential icons held under a JSON library.

Proposal Catalog

A catalog of various signal types and their tags is under construction here. Eventually this will move from being a single page to a collection of pages for better organisation. The purpose of the catalog is to give examples and help teach tagging etiquette for the various objects along UK railways.

Signal Categories

Tagging of general/main signals should follow the outlines given here and here.

In order to get a scheme up and running for now specific models of signal are not included. This tagging scheme will act as a default where the particular model (i.e. generation) is not stated. As it is unlikely every model will be iconised, and that all UK signals follow the same basic structure, this scheme would likely be the one used when attaching images to tags on OpenRailwayMap. For tags with multiple options, where only GB-NR:<class> is stated the more common type will be used during mapping.

UK Signal Tags

NOTE: Where appropriate the tags below must be accompanied with a railway:signal:form='sign' tag, e.g. speed limit boards, whistle boards etc.

NOTE: The signal types can be 'stacked', e.g. a signal of type 'main' could also be a 'route' signal of type 'junction'.

Tag	Value(s)	Description
railway:signal:main	GB-NR:main	Main signal type
railway:signal:departure	GB-NR:on_off GB-NR:right_away	Departure indicator that displays "OFF" Departure indicator that displays "RA"
railway:signal:whistle_board	GB-NR:whistle_board:main GB-NR:whistle_board:sound_whistle	"W" boards for horn/whistle "SW" boards
railway:signal:distant	GB-NR:distant	Distant signal type
railway:signal:route	GB-junction	Junction indication signal tag
railway:signal:shunting	GB-NR:shunting GB-NR:shunting:limit	Main shunting signal Limit of shunt indicator
railway:signal:stop	GB-NR:stop:main	STOP notice board (would include tag for setting sub-message)
railway:signal:main_repeated	GB-NR:main_repeated:banner	Banner repeater
railway:signal:crossing_hint	GB-NR:crossing_hint	Level crossing advance warning (black cross on white background)
railway:signal:crossing	GB-NR:crossing	Level crossing indicator to train driver (not to be confused with for car drivers crossing:light etc)
railway:signal:electricity	GB-NR:electricity:neutral GB-NR:electricity:neutral_warning GB-NR:electricity:changeover	Neutral section indicator Neutral section warning indicator Traction current changeover zone
railway:signal:speed_limit	GB-NR:speed_limit:main GB-NR:speed_limit:left GB-NR:speed_limit:right	Speed limit on current line Speed limit for left diverging route Speed limit for right diverging route
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant	GB-NR:speed_limit_distant:main GB-NR:speed_limit_distant:left GB-NR:speed_limit_distant:right	Warning of speed limit on current line Warning of speed limit for left diverging route Warning of speed limit for right diverging route
railway:signal:train_protection	GB-NR:train_protection:aws_start GB-NR:train_protection:aws_end GB-NR:train_protection:aws_cancel GB-NR:train_protection:aws_special_start GB-NR:train_protection:aws_special_end	Indicator for start of AWS zone Indicator for end of AWS zone AWS cancelling indicator Commencement of special working End of special working

SPAD Indicators

SPAD indicators are a unique signal used in regions where a Signal Passed At Danger would pose a huge risk in terms of conflicting movements. The signal reference is 'SPAD INDICATOR' followed by the reference of the signal for which it is associated as such a special format for ref is needed, propose using the prefix SI-.

Tag	Value(s)
railway:signal:overrun ref railway:signal:states	GB-NR:overrun:spad SI-<signal-ref> off;spad

Light Signals

The type of light signal could be inferred just from the number of aspects given in:

railway:signal:main:states='red;green;yellow;flashing_yellow;double_yellow;flashing_double_yellow'

when this information is combined with the railway:signal:main:design tag the appearance of the signal can be determined, e.g. a signal with states red;green;yellow with design combined would be an LED signal where different colours can appear within the same circular region, whereas using the individual value would instead make it a three lens signal.

Shunting Signals

The tag railway:signal:shunting can be accompanied by by form tag.

Junction Indicators

Junction indicators can be given for signals of type railway:signal:route. For light signals the additional key of railway:signal:route:form=light may be given or for semaphore railway:signal:route:form=light.

Feather

The feather indicator positions on the signal are given by the tags: railway:signal:route:states=position_1;position_2;position_3;position_4;position_5;position_6

Theatre Indicator

Same as the above key wise but the available indications are listed instead e.g.: railway:signal:route:states=UM;US railway:signal:route:states=1;2;3

Semaphore Signals

These are defined simply by using the railway:signal:form=semaphore tag with the additional option of specifying a type as railway:signal:type='GB-NR:lower_quadrant' or railway:signal:type='GB-NR:upper_quadrant'.

Advanced

Function

If the function of the signal is known these can be stated using the:

railway:signal:main:function='entry/exit/intermediate/block'

Position

If the exact location/position of the signal is known this can also be stated:

Tag	Values	Description
railway:position		Approx position of signal along track (i.e. similar to mileposts). If miles use mi:
railway:position:exact		Exact position of signal along track (i.e. similar to mileposts). If miles use mi:
railway:signal:position	left/right/bridge/overhead/in_track	Position with respect to the track (overhead means attached to catenary, bridge to a gantry and in_track at centre of track)
railway:signal:direction	forward/backward/both	Direction for which signal is relevant (related to OSM way direction for track)
railway:signal:catenary_mast	yes/no	Signal attached to a catenary mast

London Underground

Given some signal types such as Fog Repeaters are specific to London Underground, perhaps another tag set of:

GB-LU:main_repeater:fog

could be introduced.

Contributing

Please DO contribute. One of the reasons I have made this repository is that the tagging scheme is so incomplete and it would be great to see UK signals on the map! If you can do any of the following please contact me:

• You know how to build/develop OpenRailwayMap - I have been developing SVGs to represent the various types of signal on OpenRailwayMap in the view of adding more detail for the UK. However I have been unable to build the website locally in order to implement and test features, currently I use my own 'sandbox' here.

• You want to add to the catalog - If you want to add a missing example with relevant tags fork this repository and let me know. I will explain the form and we can discuss if what I am actually doing here is a good structure.

• You have some tagging ideas/improvements to those stated - I can add suggested tags/examples myself if you would prefer not to. My intention is not to say "this is how it will be done" but rather to have a base from which discussion can occur. I would prefer to be undertaking this as part of a team and for more people to be aware of it.

• General interest - You do not even have to be a coder, it would be nice to just build a group of interest.