What term describes the period when a train is stopped at a station?

Prepare for the DART Rail Institute Exam using questions and detailed definitions. Get familiar with the test format, explore key concepts, and enhance your understanding to succeed on your exam day!

Multiple Choice

What term describes the period when a train is stopped at a station?

Explanation:
When a train sits at a station with doors open to let passengers board and alight, that period is called dwell time. Dwell describes the time the train remains stationary during a stop, not just the moment it arrives or departs. It’s a key measure in timetable planning and operations because longer dwell can delay subsequent services. For example, if a train arrives at 10:20 and departs at 10:23, the three minutes is its dwell time. This differs from idle (the train running but not moving), stop (the act of halting), or layover (a longer, often end-of-line or between-trips pause).

When a train sits at a station with doors open to let passengers board and alight, that period is called dwell time. Dwell describes the time the train remains stationary during a stop, not just the moment it arrives or departs. It’s a key measure in timetable planning and operations because longer dwell can delay subsequent services. For example, if a train arrives at 10:20 and departs at 10:23, the three minutes is its dwell time. This differs from idle (the train running but not moving), stop (the act of halting), or layover (a longer, often end-of-line or between-trips pause).

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy