Diesel Version 5:Crew Alert
The Crew Alert feature, or sometimes known as a Dead Mans Switch is a safety feature on modern locomotives. While a locomotive is moving the engineer must press a button or pedal every so often to ensure that the engineer has not fallen asleep, lost consciousness, died, or having a medical emergency. If the engineer fails to do so after a set amount of time an alarm and flashing light will activate. If the button is not pressed within a short window then the train goes into emergency stop.
In the WOWSound decoder this is implemented by monitoring for speed changes or function presses. If the time has expired as set by the Crew Alert Timer without a user input then an alarm will sound increasing in volume. After a short amount of time if no further input is received to turn off the alarm the train will enter emergency mode, putting on the brakes and stopping the train.
Additionally a light output can be installed inside the cab, (TCS recommends setting the light to be a flashing light) and set to be the Crew Alert Light Function so that a light will flash as the alarm sounds.
The light will continue to be active even after the train goes into emergency as a visual to show you why your train has come to a stop. Any speed change or function input will turn the crew alert light off.
TCS Crew Alert in action:
https://www.facebook.com/tcsdcc/videos/756374644448643/
(@TODO This link may embed the video if the extension is installed:
<video type="facebook">756374644448643|560|340</video>
Crew Alert Prototype history further explained:
