What will the MAL indicate when approaching a failed signal?

When approaching a failed signal, the Movement Authority Limit (MAL) will reflect the red signal. This is crucial for the safe operation of the train. A red signal indicates that the train must stop, as it signifies that it cannot proceed due to some form of restriction ahead, which could be a conflicting movement, track work, or another train occupying the block.

In this case, when the signal has failed, the system defaults to indicating the most restrictive condition, which is represented by the red signal in the MAL display. This ensures that the engineer is aware of the need to stop and take appropriate actions, such as waiting for further instructions or verifying the condition of the track ahead before proceeding.

The understanding of signals and their meanings is essential for maintaining safety and ensuring that the operations are executed without compromising the safety protocols in place. Recognizing this aspect of signal failure and its implications on the MAL is critical for a train engineer's certification and operational responsibilities.