What is the primary purpose of a station restriction?

The primary purpose of a station restriction is to prevent trains from entering or departing the station unless they can fully berth or clear the station area. This restriction is critical for maintaining safety and operational efficiency within the station. By ensuring that trains do not enter unless there is a guarantee that they can safely stop and occupy the platform without blocking tracks or causing congestion, the risk of accidents and delays is significantly reduced. This helps maintain the orderly flow of train schedules and allows for efficient passenger boarding and alighting.

In essence, a station restriction serves as a safety measure to prevent situations where a train could enter the station but not be able to stop appropriately due to a lack of space on the platform or difficulties in the surrounding rail network. This is vital for overall operational integrity and passenger safety.