Signalling

All railway signals have the following tags:

ref=*: unique signal identifier
railway=signal
railway:signal:prefix=*
railway:signal:direction=* according to the direction of the way.
railway:signal:position=* position of the signal according to the direction of the way.
railway:position:exact=365.913 where 365.913 is an example. Kilometric point (PK) of signal installation relative to the start of the line.

If there are multiple signals or signs at a given position, include tags railway:signal:*:id=* to specify the unique identifier of each of them; tag ref=* becomes the signal identifier of the primary signal.

Main Signals

Carré (C)

Annotated with (non franchissable) plate.

railway:signal:main=FR:CARRE
railway:signal:main:height=(dwarf/normal)
railway:signal:main:clearing_light=(yes/no) Specifies whether a clearing light (oeilleton) is present.
railway:signal:main:form=light
railway:signal:main:plates=FR:Nf (implicit)
railway:signal:main:shape=(FR:C/FR:F/FR:H) (only if railway:signal:main:height=normal)
railway:signal:main:states=* (separated by ;)
- FR:C (Carré; two red lights): stop
- FR:S (Sémaphore; one red light): stop
- FR:(S) (Sémaphore sans arrêt, feu rouge clignotant; one flashing red light): proceed no faster than 15 km/h
- FR:A (Avertissement; one yellow light): expect stop
- FR:(A) (Annonce Avertissement, feu jaune clignotant; one flashing yellow light): expect stop
- FR:R, FR:R+A, FR:R+(A) (Ralentissement 30; two horizontal yellow lights): slow 30
- FR:(R), FR:(R)+A, FR:(R)+(A) (Ralentissement 60; two horizontal flashing yellow lights): slow 60
- FR:RR, FR:RR+A, FR:RR+(A) (Rappel de Ralentissement 30; two vertical yellow lights): slow 30 reminder
- FR:(RR), FR:(RR)+A, FR:(RR)+(A) (Rappel de Ralentissement 60; two vertical, flashing yellow lights): slow 60 reminder
- FR:Cv (Carré violet; one violet light): stop
- FR:M (Manœuvre; one white light): proceed at reduced speed for shunting
- FR:(M) (Manœuvre réduite, feu blanc clignotant; one flashing white light): proceed at reduced speed for shunting over short distance
- FR:VL (Voie Libre; one green light): proceed
- FR:(VL) (Voie Libre clignotant, feu vert clignotant; one flashing green light): proceed no faster than 160 km/h


States	Description
`FR:C`	Carré
`FR:S`	Sémaphore
`FR:(S)`	Sémaphore sans arrêt
`FR:A`	Avertissement
`FR:(A)`	Annonce Avertissement
`FR:R`, `FR:R+A`, `FR:R+(A)`	Ralentissement 30
`FR:(R)`, `FR:(R)+A`, `FR:(R)+(A)`	Ralentissement 60
`FR:RR`, `FR:RR+A`, `FR:RR+(A)`	Rappel de Ralentissement 30
`FR:(RR)`, `FR:(RR)+A`, `FR:(RR)+(A)`	Rappel de Ralentissement 60
`FR:Cv`	Carré violet
`FR:M`	Manœuvre
`FR:(M)`	Manœuvre réduite
`FR:VL`	Voie Libre
`FR:(VL)`	Voie Libre 160

Carré violet (Cv)

railway:signal:main=FR:Cv
railway:signal:main:form=light
railway:signal:main:height=(high/low)
railway:signal:main:plates=FR:Nf (implicit)
railway:signal:main:shape=(FR:A/FR:K)
railway:signal:main:states=* (separated by ;)
- FR:Cv (Carré violet; one violet light): stop.
- FR:M (Manœuvre; one white light): proceed at reduced speed for shunting.
- FR:(M) (Manœuvre réduite, feu blanc clignotant; one flashing white light): proceed at reduced speed for shunting over short distance.


States	Description
`FR:Cv`	Carré violet
`FR:M`	Manœuvre
`FR:(M)`	Manœuvre réduite
More

Sémaphore

Annotated with (franchissable) plate.

railway:signal:main=FR:S
railway:signal:main:form=light
railway:signal:main:plates=(FR:F/FR:PR/FR:BM) (identification plate)
railway:signal:main:shape=(FR:A/FR:C/FR:F/FR:H)
railway:signal:main:states=* (separated by ;)
- FR:S (Sémaphore; one red light): stop
- FR:(S) (Sémaphore sans arrêt, feu rouge clignotant; one flashing red light): proceed no faster than 15 km/h
- FR:A (Avertissement; one yellow light): expect stop
- FR:(A) (Annonce Avertissement, feu jaune clignotant; one flashing yellow light): expect stop
- FR:VL (Voie Libre; one green light): proceed
- FR:(VL) (Voie Libre clignotant, feu vert clignotant; one flashing green light): proceed no faster than 160 km/h
- FR:R, FR:R+(A) (Rappel de Ralentissement 30; two horizontal yellow lights): slow 30
- FR:(R), FR:(R)+(A) (Ralentissement 60; two horizontal flashing yellow lights): slow 60

Announcement (Avertissement)

Annotated with A plate.

railway:signal:distant=FR:A
railway:signal:distant:form=light
railway:signal:distant:plates=FR:A (identification plate)
railway:signal:distant:shape=FR:R (implicit)
railway:signal:distant:states=* (separated by ;)
- FR:A (Avertissement, one yellow light): expect stop.
- FR:VL (Voie Libre, one green light): proceed.

FR:R (Ralentissement 30, two horizontal yellow lights): slow 30.

Disk (Disque)

Annotated with D plate.

railway:signal:distant=FR:D
railway:signal:distant:form=light
railway:signal:distant:plates=FR:D
railway:signal:distant:shape=FR:R (implicit)
railway:signal:distant:states=* (separated by ;)
- FR:D (Disque, one yellow light and one red light, both aligned horizontally): slow down and advance carefully to the next signal.

Disabled Signal

Use

Speed Limits

Speed limits are signaled by Speed Indicators. They are called Tableau Indicateur de Vitesse (TIV) in French; TIVs can be either fixed, mobile or pentagonal.

Mobile Speed Indicators

Turnouts that can only be crossed at reduced speed in the thrown direction (approximately 60 km/h) are typically preceded by two mobile TIVs: a diamond-shaped TIV à Distance (TIV-D) followed by a speed limit reminder called TIV de Rappel (TIV-R) in French.

Mobile TIV-D
Sign	Light (Open)	Light (Closed)

railway:signal:speed_limit_distant=FR:TIV-D
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant:form=(sign/light)
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant:speed=*
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant:mobile=yes
railway:crocodile=yes (if equipped with crocodile)

The TIV-R is always paired with the Carré signal preceding the turnout.

TIV-R
Sign	Light (Open)	Light (Closed)

railway:signal:speed_limit_reminder=FR:TIV-R
railway:signal:speed_limit_reminder:form=(sign/light)
railway:signal:speed_limit_reminder:speed=*
railway:signal:speed_limit_reminder:mobile=yes (optional)

Chevron

Additionally, if necessary, the location of the point (or the first point in the case of successive turnouts) is identified by a downward-pointing Chevron.

railway:signal:speed_limit=FR:CHEVRON_BAS
railway:signal:speed_limit:form=sign
railway:signal:speed_limit:type=downwards (optional; downwards by default)

Fixed Speed Indicators

Fixed Distant Speed Indicators (Ordinary Type)

Fixed distant speed indicators of ordinary type (TIV fixes à distance du type ordinaire in French) are usually square in shape. They are diamond-shaped when the speed limit is less than or equal to 40 km/h.

railway:signal:speed_limit_distant=FR:TIV-D
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant:form=(sign/light)
railway:signal:speed_limit_distant:speed=*
railway:crocodile=yes (if equipped with crocodile)

The Z sign (pancarte) is the execution signal indicating the start of the zone to be traveled at limited speed.

The R sign (pancarte) indicates the end of the zone where the speed limit is required and the return to normal speed (Reprise de vitesse).

Fixed Distant Speed Indicators (Type B)

Fixed distant speed indicators (TIV-D) of type B indicate that the speed limit must be observed by trains authorized to travel at speeds greater than 140 km/h. When only TIV-D of type B signals are present, the speed limit also applies to self-propelled trains (automoteurs).

Fixed Distant Speed Indicators (Type C)

Fixed distant speed indicators (TIV-D) of type C exclusively apply to railcars and self-propelled trains (autorails et automoteurs). When a TIV-D of type B is supplemented with a TIV-D of type C, the speed limit indicated by the TIV-D of type B applies only to trains authorized to run at speeds greater than 140 km/h. The TIV-D of type C serves as a reminder of the upstream speed limit observed by railcars and self-propelled trains.

Speed Limit Announcement (P board)

The P board announces a distant speed indicator (TIV-D) for lines equipped with pre-announcement signalling. This sign applies only to trains running at speeds higher than 160 km/h and requires the train to pass the next TIV-D at a speed lower than 160 km/h. This sign is lit at night.

Pentagonal Speed Indicators

Pentagonal TIVs typically concern freight trains and possibly certain locomotive series. The TIV figure specifies the maximum speed in tens of kilometers per hour (e.g. 5 stands for 50 km/h).

A distant upward-pointing pentagonal speed indicator (TIV-D) announces a special speed restriction. When the restriction applies only to certain locomotive series, the pentagonal TIV-D is accompanied by an L plate placed below it.

A downward-pointing pentagonal TIV, with a white digit on a black background, serves as the execution signal indicating the beginning of the track section to be traversed at a limited speed.

A downward-pointing pentagonal TIV without any markings indicates the end of the track section to be traversed at a limited speed.

Milestone Speed Limit Markers (Km sign)

The Km sign (pancarte) is used in conjunction with TIVs to indicate transition points of the speed limit when these do not coincide with notable landmarks.

Routes

Routes are signaled with either a Route Indicator or a Distant Route Indicator, or both; they are called Indicateur de Direction (ID) and Tableau Indicateur de Direction à Distance (TIDD) respectively. The TIDD indicates the position of the next point, either left or right unless the next signal displays a closed Carré in which case, the TIDD is turned off.

Route Indicators

railway:signal:route=FR:ID
railway:signal:route:form=light
railway:signal:route:shape=(FR:ID2/FR:ID3/FR:ID4/FR:ID5)
railway:signal:route:count=* (number of possible routes, between 2 and 5; one light per route)

Distant Route Indicators

Embranchements

The BIF board announces a trailing switch junction with multiple tracks.

The Y board announces a facing switch junction.

Cab Signalling

Conventional Railway Lines

Cab signalling of type Contrôle de Vitesse par Balises (Speed control by beacons, KVB) or European Train Control System (ETCS).

The train is directed towards a cab signalling line. One or more boards of this type precede the entry.

The train enters a cab signalling line. This sign is at the position of the last signal or immediately downstream of that signal.

The train is returning to a traditional lateral signalling line.

Highspeed Railway Lines

Cab signalling of type Transmission Voie-Machine (TVM) or European Train Control System (ETCS).

Block Markers

Shunting Markers

A shunting marker (Jalon de Manœuvre in French) is placed at a point where certain train movements are executed. These movements may include reversing, shunting, or departing trains from a work site. The white chevron points to the track involved.

Wrong Ways (Contresens)

The train enters a wrong way zone, which is indicated by a Tableau d'Entrée de Contresens (TECS).

The train is exiting a wrong way zone, which is indicated by a Tableau de Sortie de Contresens (TSCS).

Stations and Facilities

Announcements

railway:signal:station_distant=FR:APPROCHE_ETS
railway:signal:station_distant:form=sign
railway:signal:station_distant:caption=* (e.g. "Chailles à 200m")
railway:signal:station_distant:distance=* (specified distance in meters)

railway:signal:station_distant=FR:ARRET_A
railway:signal:station_distant:form=sign
railway:signal:station_distant:distance=* (specified distance in meters)

railway:signal:station_distant=FR:STOP_A
railway:signal:station_distant:form=sign
railway:signal:station_distant:distance=* (specified distance in meters)

Stops

The Stop Marker is similar to the Carré signal; it commands a stop before the point where it is placed and cannot be crossed.

Passenger Stops

Stopping point for the front of the train (Tête de Train), regardless of the number of vehicles in the train.

Stopping point for the front of the train (Tête de Train), regardless of the number of vehicles in the train, including the locomotive.

Stopping point for trains equipped for driver-only operations, referred to as Équipé Agent Seul (EAS).

Stopping point for trains composed of the number of carriages indicated on the sign.

railway:signal:stop=FR:ARRET_V
railway:signal:stop:form=sign
railway:signal:stop:for=vehicles
railway:signal:stop:vehicle_count=* (number of vehicles specified on the sign)

Stopping point for TGVs. The number indicates the number of rakes: 1=single unit, 2=multiple units.

Departure

Departure Request Plate (DD)

Plaque de Demande de Départ (DD).

Departure Light Signal (SLD)

Half white, half green signal, or Signal Lumineux de Départ (SLD).

Service Tracks and Shunting

Track Indicators (TIP)

At the exit of some service track yards, a Track Indicator, or Tableau lumineux Indicateur de Provenance (TIP), complements the chevron. It can display any of the numbers designating each of the tracks. When the TIP displays a number, the driver on the corresponding track is allowed to cross the chevron. When the group signal is closed, the driver can advance to an agreed point, usually in preparation for a reversing movement.

Luminous Connection Boards (TLC)

Luminous Connection Board, or Tableau Lumineux de Correspondance (TLC) **pour voies convergentes**, is a signal installed at ground level to the left of the track it addresses and is normally off. It can display:

either the fixed letter T;
or, if applicable, the Signal Lumineux de Départ (SLD) ;
or, a red and white checkerboard with the same meaning as the Jalon d'Arrêt and used instead of the Chevron.

Shunting Light Signal

Signal Lumineux de Manœuvre (SLM).

Garage Tracks (G board)

Limit for Shunting to Garage (LGR board)

Limite pour Garage par Refoulement (LGR).

Depot Tracks (D board)

Shunting Limits (LM board)

Marche à Vue (MV board)

Dead-end Track (IMP board)

Upward-pointing Chevrons

Upward-pointing chevrons indicate either an exit from a junction of converging tracks or, in some stations, the point beyond which trains must not proceed when a stop is required.

Buffer Stop Announcement

Announcing a buffer stop at the specified distance.

railway:signal:shunting=FR:HEURTOIR_A
railway:signal:shunting:form=sign
railway:signal:shunting:type=buffer_stop
railway:signal:shunting:distance=* (specified distance in meters)

Short Tracks (SAS board)

The SAS sign indicates that the train is directed towards a generally very short section of track (sas) with Carré signals at each end.

Electrified Railway Lines

Neutral Zones

A neutral zone (or zone de sectionnement) is a grounded catenary zone, isolated on both sides, used to separate portions of track either powered by different substations or phases, or when switching voltages from 1500V DC to 25kV AC and vice versa, or to accommodate different voltages and frequencies in cross-border areas.

The main circuit breaker must be opened while the train passes through this zone, which it traverses using its own kinetic energy (marche sur l'erre).

Neutral Zone Announcement

The distant signal announces a neutral zone at the specified distance in meters.

railway:signal:electricity=FR:SECT
railway:signal:electricity:form=sign
railway:signal:electricity:type=power_off
railway:signal:electricity:distance=* (specified distance in meters)

Start of Neutral Zone

Execution signal.

End of Neutral Zone

Signals indicating the end of the neutral zone.

railway:signal:electricity=FR:CC_FIN
railway:signal:electricity:form=sign
railway:signal:electricity:type=power_on
railway:signal:electricity:function=exit
railway:signal:electricity:voltage=* Voltage of the current line; usually 1500V or 25kV. (optional)
railway:signal:electricity:frequency=* Frequency of the current on the current line; usually 50Hz for 25kV. (optional)

End of the neutral zone for reversible trains or trains with multiple pantographs.

Pantographs

Distant Pantograph Down

Distant Pantograph Down signal (signal à distance "Baissez panto").

Start of Pantograph Down

Pantograph Down execution signal (signal d'exécution "Baissez panto").

railway:signal:electricity=FR:BP_EXE
railway:signal:electricity:form=(sign/light)
railway:signal:electricity:function=entry
railway:signal:electricity:type=pantograph_down
railway:signal:electricity:voltage=* (optional)

End of Pantograph Down

Signals indicating the end of the route with pantograph down (signal de fin de parcours).

railway:signal:electricity=FR:BP_FIN
railway:signal:electricity:form=(sign/light)
railway:signal:electricity:function=exit
railway:signal:electricity:type=pantograph_up
railway:signal:electricity:voltage=* (optional)

Dual-Mode Traffic

Distant signal announcing traffic towards a non-electrified line.

This sign accompanies the Pantograph Down distant and execution signals when they apply only to dual-mode traffic. In this case, they are not followed by an End of Pantograph Down signal.

railway:signal:dual_mode=FR:BIMODE_A
railway:signal:dual_mode:form=sign
railway:signal:dual_mode:caption=* (optional; text written on the sign)

Distant signal announcing traffic coming from a non-electrified line.

This sign accompanies the End of Pantograph Down signal when it applies only to dual-mode traffic. It is not preceded by the Pantograph Down distant and execution signals.

End of Catenaries

Beyond this sign, the line is no longer electrified and only thermal or dual-mode trains can continue.

Stop Markers

The blue and white checkered Stop Marker (Jalon d'arrêt à damier bleu et blanc), which only exists on service tracks, commands the stop of shunting movements of electric trains.

Frost Sign

Level Crossings

Level crossing announcement.

railway:signal:crossing_distant=FR:PN_A
railway:signal:crossing_distant:form=sign
railway:signal:crossing_distant:number=* (specified level-crossing number)
railway:signal:crossing_distant:distance=* (specified distance in meters)

railway:signal:crossing_info=FR:PN
railway:signal:crossing_info:form=sign
railway:signal:crossing_info:number=* (specified level-crossing number)

Whistle

The S board indicates the locations where the driver must sound the horn, for example, approaching unguarded level crossings, or at the entrance of tunnels, or in areas with reduced visibility.

When a J plate is present below the S sign, the obligation to whistle is only imposed on the driver during daytime (between 07:00 and 20:00).

Other Signs

Zone with reduced loading gauge.

OpenRailwayMap/Tagging in France