Abstract: A traction motor controller has a motor feedback employing motor-driven encoders producing signals in quadrature having a phase depending on motor direction and frequency according to motor speed. A logic encoder develops a single signal comprising a pulse train having a frequency dependent on motor speed and either of two amplitudes dependent on motor direction. A decoder at the controller has a circuit for producing a pulsed output at a frequency according to the encoded signal to indicate motor speed. Another decoder circuit uses a comparator to discriminate between the two amplitudes. The higher amplitude signal causes comparator output pulses which are converted to a steady state signal by a flip-flop which is clocked by delayed motor speed pulses.