What are emergency brakes designed to do?

Emergency brakes are specifically engineered to quickly stop a train in urgent situations. This rapid stopping capability is crucial for ensuring passenger safety and preventing accidents when an immediate halt is necessary, such as in the case of an obstruction on the tracks, a malfunction, or any other emergency scenario that requires the train to cease movement as quickly as possible.

Unlike the regular braking systems that may allow for a gradual decrease in speed, emergency brakes prioritize safety over comfort, facilitating an instantaneous response to critical situations. This design is essential in minimizing the risk of injury or collateral damage that could occur if the train were to continue moving at high speeds during an emergency. The other choices, while related to train operations, do not accurately capture the primary function of emergency brakes, which is swift intervention in emergencies.