What's a 'signal problem'? NJ Transit lingo from A to Z

Mike Davis

Train delays can be caused by a number of issues. But such issues are only ever explained with railroad jargon that sounds more like generic tech speak than vital mass transit information.

Commuters can also find service advisories on the NJ Transit website, on their Twitter feed or garbled by public address systems at loud train stations.

But what do the words mean?

Here's a breakdown of the service advisory lexicon used by NJ Transit, along with a few terms referring to non-service issues.

1. Adjustment: This is a formal way to say a change, usually in reference to fares or service. The NJ Transit board of directors approved a fare adjustment of an average 9 percent.

2. Amtrak: National railroad system that owns the Northeast Corridor Line track and is responsible for the maintenance. "NJ Transit commuters were victimized by ... Amtrak's indifference to New Jersey commuters and its abject neglect of the infrastructure that New Jersey and our entire region relies upon," Gov. Chris Christie said.

3. Board of directors: The eight-member governing body of NJ Transit, including one non-voting member, chaired by state Department of Transportation commissioner Jamie Fox. The board makes the final decision on fare and service adjustments. "This has to be one of the worst boards I've ever seen," Amalgamated Transit Union vice president John Costa said, referring to the fare adjustments.

4. Cross-honoring: Other mass transit systems accept NJ Transit rail tickets and passes for service, usually NJ Transit and private buses, the PATH system and ferry service.

5. Disabled train: A train has literally stopped dead in its tracks, likely causing delays for trains heading in both directions. Passengers are sometimes told to exit the train and wait for a new one.

6. On or close to schedule: Delays have been remedied and trains are operating as normal.

7. Power problems: A power outage in part or all of a station, usually New York Penn. Without power, the electrified rail propelling the train can't operate.

8. Signal problems: Automatically operated light system to warn conductors of trains ahead, similar to traffic lights. If malfunctioning, trains could collide.

9. Single tracking: All NJ Transit trains are squeezed onto one of two Hudson River tunnel tracks, caused by an issue on the other track that renders it unusable. "We are single tracking into New York Penn Station," the conductor stated over the public address system.

10. Suspension of service: No trains will enter or exit from this particular station or on this line. Last Wednesday, all New York Penn Station service was suspended for a few hours during the morning commute.

11. Switch problems: The devices that allow trains to change tracks have failed, likely due to electrical or mechanical issues. If a switch doesn't work properly, trains could derail.

12. Trespasser strike: A train has struck a person on the tracks, often fatally. Service on that track is likely delayed for police to investigate.

13. Wire problems: Electrical problems with overhead wires, especially at underground stations. The wires can malfunction for a number of reasons, including excessive heat. If the wires sag, they can be caught by a train -- causing delays both due to wire problems and a disabled train.

Mike Davis: 732-643-4223; mdavis@gannettnj.com