About the Consortium
In 2013, public transportation agencies and unions from across the country formed the National Signals Maintenance Training Consortium (Signals Consortium). Their goal was to develop a comprehensive, standardized set of national training materials to support signal maintainer training and apprenticeship programs. Member agencies cited a range of reasons for joining — from addressing workforce retirements and system expansions to improving safety for the riding public and frontline workers. Some also noted that using Consortium-developed materials could help reduce liability in the event of an incident.
Since then, more than 65 signals maintenance subject matter experts (SMEs) from 26 member agencies and unions have partnered with instructional systems designers from the Transportation Learning Center to produce over 500 hours of training content.
The Consortium’s courses cover maintenance of eight major signals subsystems: Track Circuits, Switches and Derails, Train Stops, Grade Crossings, Signals, Interlockings, Power Distribution, and Control Panels. Each course includes participant guides, instructor guides, PowerPoint presentations, and assessments. Additional resources developed by the Consortium include Orientation to Signal Maintenance; Microprocessors in Signal Systems; Installation and Construction Standards.
