Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Although S³ does not currently support a real-time clock, it does allow the timing of dozens of events simultaneously. Five different types of timers are available, and a timer can be triggered by various devices and events and may be used to control the operation of any device. For example, a timer may be used to delay the clearing of a crossing flasher or gate after a train has passed.

Timers may be initiated at startup and used to operate cycles that run continuously, like a day/night lighting scenario. The timer may run a single time and then stop, or repeat its timing cycle continuously, for either a fixed or randomly generated interval.

In addition to these timers, many devices have built-in timing functions. For example, a traffic light has a user-specified timing interval that operates automatically, and lighting controls may be operated on fixed or random intervals to provide the desired effects. And of course, devices like a flashing signal or a blinking panel light have their own built-in timers. Literally hundreds of timed events may be taking place simultaneously with no programming on the part of the user.