Mystery: this is the meaning of the white sign with a ‘v’ at Zoetermeer station

If you wait at Zoetermeer station every day for a train, you now know the platforms like the back of your hand. But have you ever spotted this white sign with a black letter ‘V’ with a lamp above it? It is almost unnoticeable, but is crucial for a safe train journey.

Any idea what this letter stands for? The correct answer is: departure light, NS reports. Each platform has one. A departure light usually hangs from the platform roof or stands on a pole at the end of a platform.

Drive away safely

What is the function of a departure light? The name actually says it all: the departure light indicates that a train can depart safely. A departure light is only part of the departure procedure of a train.

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Permission from the conductor

As soon as all Zoetermeer residents are on the train and the departure time has arrived, the train driver is ready to leave. However, a train driver first needs permission to leave the platform. First of all, he must wait for the exit signal or block signal, which is a kind of traffic light. When this light is green or yellow, it is safe to drive. Is it red? Then the train must stop.

A train driver is not allowed to start driving as soon as the exit signal is green or yellow. He or she must wait for the conductor’s departure order. He makes it from the platform final call that it is safe to drive. There is only one problem: a conductor cannot always see the exit signal from the platform.

A tool

To solve this problem, the departure light is used as a supplement to the exit signal. The departure light is always visible to a conductor from the platform and lights up white when the exit signal is set to safe. This allows him or her to safely blow the whistle, close the doors and instruct the driver to leave.