REDUNDANT, SELF-DETERMINISTIC, FAILSAFE SENSOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAILROAD CROSSING AND ADJACENT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION VEHICULAR TRAFFIC CONTROL PREEMPTION
Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
B61L 27/53 - Diagnostic ou maintenance côté voie, p. ex. mises à jour de logiciel pour des éléments ou des systèmes côté voie, p. ex. surveillance côté voie de l’état des systèmes de commande côté voie
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
A warning light sensor system for a railroad crossing including a warning light includes a process-based device configured to analyze received real time images of the warning light, determine, whether the crossing warning system is operating properly; and communicate a confirmation that the crossing warning system is operating properly prior to the train arriving at the railroad crossing.
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
B61L 23/04 - Dispositifs de commande, d'avertissement ou autres dispositifs de sécurité le long de la voie ou entre les véhicules ou les trains pour contrôler l'état mécanique de la voie
B61L 27/53 - Diagnostic ou maintenance côté voie, p. ex. mises à jour de logiciel pour des éléments ou des systèmes côté voie, p. ex. surveillance côté voie de l’état des systèmes de commande côté voie
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
G08G 1/04 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande utilisant des détecteurs optiques ou ultrasonores
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p. ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
G08G 1/097 - Systèmes de surveillance de la commande du trafic, p. ex. en donnant l'alarme si deux rues se croisant ont des feux verts simultanément
3.
REDUNDANT, SELF-DETERMINISTIC, FAILSAFE SENSOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAILROAD CROSSING AND ADJACENT SIGNALIZED INTERSECTION VEHICULAR TRAFFIC CONTROL PREEMPTION
Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
B61L 27/53 - Diagnostic ou maintenance côté voie, p. ex. mises à jour de logiciel pour des éléments ou des systèmes côté voie, p. ex. surveillance côté voie de l’état des systèmes de commande côté voie
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
An automotive traffic control system includes a processor-based video analytic system receiving images including a warning light at a location along a roadway, and based on an analysis of the images the video analytic sensor system confirming a proper operation of the warning light. The video analytic system is configured to communicate with a traffic control device that is operationally responsive to a communication from the video analytic sensor system to enhance automotive vehicle safety proximate the first location or to avoid an unnecessary automotive traffic disruption due to the operation of the at least one warning light
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
B61L 23/04 - Dispositifs de commande, d'avertissement ou autres dispositifs de sécurité le long de la voie ou entre les véhicules ou les trains pour contrôler l'état mécanique de la voie
G08G 1/04 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande utilisant des détecteurs optiques ou ultrasonores
A predictive railroad crossing system proactively improves railroad safety notification and traffic control decisions to avoid crossing-associated delays for a plurality of operating trains. The system is configured to iteratively respond to real-time operating data for the trains and identify public or private railroad crossings that each respective operating train will approach. An estimated time of arrival and estimated of blocked crossing duration time is made predictively for each of identified public or private railroad crossings without any physical train detection in at least some of the identified public or private railroad crossings.
A predictive railroad crossing system proactively improves railroad safety notification and traffic control decisions to avoid crossing-associated delays for a plurality of operating trains. The system is configured to iteratively respond to real-time operating data for the trains and identify public or private railroad crossings that each respective operating train will approach. An estimated time of arrival and estimated of blocked crossing duration time is made predictively for each of identified public or private railroad crossings without any physical train detection in at least some of the identified public or private railroad crossings.
B60W 30/08 - Anticipation ou prévention de collision probable ou imminente
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
G08G 1/00 - Systèmes de commande du trafic pour véhicules routiers
7.
Redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor systems and methods for railroad crossing and adjacent signalized intersection vehicular traffic control preemption
Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
B61L 27/53 - Diagnostic ou maintenance côté voie, p. ex. mises à jour de logiciel pour des éléments ou des systèmes côté voie, p. ex. surveillance côté voie de l’état des systèmes de commande côté voie
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
A warning light sensor system for a railroad crossing including a warning light includes a process-based device configured to analyze received real time images of the warning light, determine, whether the crossing warning system is operating properly; and communicate a confirmation that the crossing warning system is operating properly prior to the train arriving at the railroad crossing.
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
B61L 23/04 - Dispositifs de commande, d'avertissement ou autres dispositifs de sécurité le long de la voie ou entre les véhicules ou les trains pour contrôler l'état mécanique de la voie
B61L 27/53 - Diagnostic ou maintenance côté voie, p. ex. mises à jour de logiciel pour des éléments ou des systèmes côté voie, p. ex. surveillance côté voie de l’état des systèmes de commande côté voie
G08G 1/04 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande utilisant des détecteurs optiques ou ultrasonores
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p. ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
G08G 1/097 - Systèmes de surveillance de la commande du trafic, p. ex. en donnant l'alarme si deux rues se croisant ont des feux verts simultanément
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
9.
Railroad crossing and adjacent signalized intersection vehicular traffic control preemption systems and methods
A traffic control preemption system monitors an operating state of a railroad crossing, without requiring an interface with railroad crossing equipment, and communicates information to a traffic controller of an adjacent signalized roadway intersection to improve vehicular traffic flow at the railroad crossing. The traffic control preemption system is configured to make real time health assessments of preemption system functionality and provide a degree of redundancy and failsafe operation to the traffic control system.
B61L 29/22 - Manœuvre par l'approche de véhicule ferroviaire ou de train par moyens électriques
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p. ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
10.
Railroad car location, speed, and heading detection system and methods with self-powered wireless sensor nodes
A railroad car location, speed and heading sensor system including at least one self-powered, tie-mounted sensor node that is applicable universally to different railroad settings without using track circuits, inductive loops, radar systems, and wheel counters and associated disadvantages. Reliable and relatively low cost deterministic and redundant car presence detection is realized when multiple sensor nodes are arranged in a network, which may be a wireless mesh network, that is not affected by environmental conditions.
Railroad object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to make real time health assessments and self-diagnose sensor problems in a railroad application. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
G01S 13/88 - Radar ou systèmes analogues, spécialement adaptés pour des applications spécifiques
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
G01S 13/87 - Combinaisons de plusieurs systèmes radar, p. ex. d'un radar primaire et d'un radar secondaire
G01S 13/02 - Systèmes utilisant la réflexion d'ondes radio, p. ex. systèmes du type radar primaireSystèmes analogues
12.
Redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor systems and methods for railroad crossing and adjacent signalized intersection vehicular traffic control preemption
Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
G01S 13/88 - Radar ou systèmes analogues, spécialement adaptés pour des applications spécifiques
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
G01S 13/87 - Combinaisons de plusieurs systèmes radar, p. ex. d'un radar primaire et d'un radar secondaire
G01S 13/02 - Systèmes utilisant la réflexion d'ondes radio, p. ex. systèmes du type radar primaireSystèmes analogues
13.
Railroad car location, speed, and heading detection system and methods with self-powered wireless sensor nodes
A railroad car location, speed and heading sensor system including at least one self-powered, tie-mounted sensor node that is applicable universally to different railroad settings without using track circuits, inductive loops, radar systems, and wheel counters and associated disadvantages. Reliable and relatively low cost deterministic and redundant car presence detection is realized when multiple sensor nodes are arranged in a network, which may be a wireless mesh network, that is not affected by environmental conditions.
A video analytic sensor system and methods for sensing an operating state of a railroad crossing gate processes images to detect and communicate railroad crossing gate position information to non-railroad systems such as vehicular traffic control systems. The sensor system may be retrofit to existing railroad crossing gates and does not require modification to or direct connection with existing railroad systems.
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
G08G 1/097 - Systèmes de surveillance de la commande du trafic, p. ex. en donnant l'alarme si deux rues se croisant ont des feux verts simultanément
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p. ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
G08G 1/04 - Détection du mouvement du trafic pour le comptage ou la commande utilisant des détecteurs optiques ou ultrasonores
B61L 23/04 - Dispositifs de commande, d'avertissement ou autres dispositifs de sécurité le long de la voie ou entre les véhicules ou les trains pour contrôler l'état mécanique de la voie
A traffic control preemption system monitors an operating state of a railroad crossing, without requiring an interface with railroad crossing equipment, and communicates information to a traffic controller of an adjacent signalized roadway intersection to improve vehicular traffic flow at the railroad crossing. The traffic control preemption system is configured to make real time health assessments of preemption system functionality and provide a degree of redundancy and failsafe operation to the traffic control system.
B61L 29/28 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores par moyens électriques
B61L 29/22 - Manœuvre par l'approche de véhicule ferroviaire ou de train par moyens électriques
B61L 29/30 - Surveillance, p. ex. aménagements du contrôle
G08G 1/087 - Intervention prioritaire sur la commande du trafic, p. ex. au moyen d'un signal transmis par un véhicule de secours
16.
Methods and systems for detection and notification of blocked rail crossings
A blocked rail crossing detection and notification system is described. The system includes a processing device, a communications interface communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable for facilitating communications between the processing device and at least one external device, and at least one vehicle detection mechanism placed proximate to a rail grade crossing. The at least one vehicle detection mechanism is communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable to provide signals to the processing device indicative of the presence or non-presence of a vehicle within a defined area surrounding an intersection of a roadway and one or more railroad tracks. The processing device is further programmed to communicate the presence or non-presence of a vehicle along with supporting correlative visual data within the defined area to the at least one external device via the communications interface.
A system includes a base station associated with a railroad crossing having a unique identifier and comprising at least one processor to wirelessly transmit a proximity alert, determine that a train is on approach, and wirelessly transmit a train-on-approach notification. The system further includes a receiver comprising at least one processor to wirelessly receive the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification from the base station and to provide at least one of a visual and audible indication responsive to at least one of the proximity alert and the train-on-approach notification.
B61L 29/02 - Barrières ou obstacles pour empêcher l'accès à la voie
B61L 29/24 - Dispositifs pour avertir le trafic routier que la barrière est fermée ou va se fermer ou que le train approche, p. ex. par avertisseurs visibles ou sonores
A blocked rail crossing detection and notification system is described. The system includes a processing device, a communications interface communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable for facilitating communications between the processing device and at least one external device, and at least one vehicle detection mechanism placed proximate to a rail grade crossing. The at least one vehicle detection mechanism is communicatively coupled to the processing device and operable to provide signals to the processing device indicative of the presence or non-presence of a vehicle within a defined area surrounding an intersection of a roadway and one or more railroad tracks. The processing device is further programmed to communicate the presence or non-presence of a vehicle along with supporting correlative visual data within the defined area to the at least one external device via the communications interface.
A method for sensing objects within a rail grade crossing island is described. The method includes transmitting a radar signal into the island from each of a plurality of radar devices such that each portion of the island is monitored by at least two of the radar devices, detecting if an object is in the island based on received signals corresponding to the transmissions associated with at least one of the radar devices, and operating a gate control device associated with the rail grade crossing based on the detections.
A method for sensing objects within a rail grade crossing island is described. The method includes transmitting a radar signal into the island from each of a plurality of radar devices such that each portion of the island is monitored by at least two of the radar devices, detecting if an object is in the island based on received signals corresponding to the transmissions associated with at least one of the radar devices, and operating a gate control device associated with the rail grade crossing based on the detections.
brevets
