Proceed Aspects

The French proceed aspects at main signals are quite straightforward. Speed restrictions are announced by two horizontal amber lights and repeated by two vertical amber lights. The point of execution for the speed restriction is not the second signal but a board with a chevron pointing downwards, which indicates the begin of the following points area. This explains why the aspects are not called "expect slow" and "slow" as in other signalling systems, but "announcement: slow" and "repetition: slow". For reduced speed, there are two speeds that can be indicated: 30 km/h by steady and 60 km/h by flashing ambers.

The aspect abbreviations stem from the French names, flashing aspects are put into parentheses.


VL - Voie libre. Clear.	(VL) Voie libre - Préannonce. Shown on lines with regular speeds above 160 km/h. Reduce speed not exceeding 160 km/h at next signal, which may show "expect slow", "expect stop", or "pre-warning"

A - Avertissement Warning, expect next signal at stop. May also announce a speed reduction (R)	(A) Pre-warning. Next signal will show "expect stop", and the signal after the next signal will be at reduced distance

R - Ralentissement 30 expect slow with 30 km/h	(R) - Ralentissement 60 expect slow with 60 km/h

RR - Rappel Ralentissement 30 slow with 30 km/h repeater: must not exceed 30 km/h at points area (marked by chevron board)	(RR) - Rappel Ralentissement 60 slow with 60 km/h repeater

RR+A Rappel Ralentissement 30 + Avertissement 30 km/h in points area, next signal shows stop.	RR+(A) 30 km/h in points area. Next signal shows 'warning', the following signal is at reduced distance and shows stop.

(RR)+A Rappel Ralentissement 60 + Avertissement 60 km/h in points area, next signal shows stop.	(RR)+(A) 60 km/h in points area. Next signal shows 'warning', the following signal is at reduced distance and shows stop

R+(A) Next signal shows RR (RR 30 km/h) 30, the following signal is at reduced distance and shows stop.	(R)+(A) Next signal shows (RR) (RR 60 km/h), the following signal is at reduced distance and shows stop.

D - Disque Proceed on sight. Stop at first points, level crossing or signal box and wait until given permission by main signal, departure signal or verbal order.

M - Marche en manœuvre This is the proceed aspect shown by a Carré violet signal. Shunting movements may proceed. Trains may proceed if permission was given by a main signal in rear.	(M) - Manœuvre réduite same as left, but be prepared to stop at short distance. Trains must stop.