International Railroad Discussion > Question: Japanese rural line signaling

This line traverses urban and rural areas. Some signals are color light and some as shown here are position light. Several masts also have the pentagonal arrangement of what appears to be five lights. Often these are closely spaced. But in this cab-view video, I saw none of them illuminated. What is their function? What are their potential aspects and the associated indications?

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This may be of some assistance: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_railway_signals

Chinese letters 中継 indicate it is a relay signal (one in the right). 
And one on the left is an obstruction warning signal.
In most cases, it will be installed nearby the crossing with sensors. 
When sensors detect some obstructs block the crossing, these rotating red lights will be turned on.

Since you are riding in a remote area and a single line operation as shown here, another possibility is a falling rock warning signal is installed ahead of you.

Hope this helps.

Hiroshi

mile250 Wrote:
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> This line traverses urban and rural areas. Some
> signals are color light and some as shown here are
> position light. Several masts also have the
> pentagonal arrangement of what appears to be five
> lights. Often these are closely spaced. But in
> this cab-view video, I saw none of them
> illuminated. What is their function? What are
> their potential aspects and the associated
> indications?

Thank you. I had guessed that they might be what we call "protective" signals in the U.S., which respond to rockfall, landslide, and high water at bridges. It appears some of the Japanese signals may also respond to grade crossing occupancy.