Which system is responsible for managing train operations by issuing signals and instructions?

The Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system is integral to managing train operations by issuing signals and instructions. This system employs a centralized control point that oversees the movement of trains over a specific segment of the railway. It enhances safety and efficiency by allowing dispatchers to monitor train locations, communicate with train crews, and manage track switching in real time.

CTC implements a series of signals that indicate when trains can proceed and when they must stop or slow down based on track conditions, train positions, and other operational considerations. The centralized nature of this system allows for a coordinated approach to scheduling and routing trains to minimize delays and ensure that they maintain safe distances from one another.

While Automatic Train Control systems also play a role in regulating train movements autonomously based on predefined parameters, CTC provides a broader range of operational oversight. Working Limits, on the other hand, typically refer to specific operational zones where train movement is restricted for maintenance or other purposes. The Control Console is a device used by dispatchers within a CTC setup but does not itself encompass the overall system management function performed by CTC. Thus, CTC is recognized as the primary system responsible for directing train operations through signals and instructions.