The physical arrangement of lights, colors, or semaphore blades displayed by a signal at a given moment. The aspect is what the engineer actually sees, which corresponds to a specific signal indication or rule, such as clear, approach, or restricting.
Heard on the job
The dispatcher called and asked what signal aspect we had at the east end of the siding.
Also heard as
- aspect
Related terms
Block signal
A fixed trackside light or semaphore that tells an engineer whether the track segment ahead is clear.
Color light signal
A trackside signal that uses illuminated colored lenses to convey track authority.
Semaphore signal
A mechanical railway signal that communicates track authority using a pivoting blade.