I took notes on the many problems that I found with this route. I used four services to test the signage and AWS function for the entire length of the route. I had to double check numerous times if my AWS was turned on: East Coastway Route Notes 2G30: Brighton - Eastbourne 850-yds from Falmer Station (eastbound) - no advanced warning indicator (AWI) or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph 1.2 miles from Lewes - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 55mph 3.1 miles from Polegate - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 90mph to 80mph - after a few seconds the speed increases back to 90mph, unmarked. .9 miles from Eastbourne - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 55mph 2C29: Seaford - Brighton 265-yds from Southease - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph 550-yds from Falmer - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph Right outside of Moulsecoomb - no AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 55mph People dropping from the foot bridges in at the stations / riding on the roof of the train / Flying out of the train at stops 1G25: Eastbourne - Brighton 400-yds from Berwick - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 90mph to 75mph 1.3 miles from Glynde - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 90mph to 80mph 1.2 miles from Lewes - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 80mph to 70mph .9 miles from Lewes - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph 550-yds from Falmer - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph 1.3 miles from Brighton - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 55mph 2C28: Brighton - Seaford 850-yds from Falmer - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph 1.2 miles from Lewes - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 55mph 2.2 miles from Southease - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 60mph to 40mph - divert 269-yds from Southease - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 70mph to 60mph Beginning of Newhaven Harbour - no AWI or AWS warning of speed decrease from 35mph to 20mph One other thing, I am not well versed on the EMU Class 377 - it is fun to drive. Is the speed assist function supposed to act as a cruise control? It brings the train up to speed, but it does not decrease the speed.
In real life, AWS is only fitted in advance of a major speed reduction (over 30%) or at locations of high risk but even then some large speed decreases are not protected, so most speed restrictions do not have an AWS warning. Also, I'm pretty sure not all speed changes are marked in real life, the driver relies on his/her route knowledge, so if there's one missing it may be true to life. The speed control on the 377 only controls the power and not the brakes, so isn't very useful when on a falling gradient.
