Train crossing safety system

• US 20080073466A1
• Filed: 09/25/2006
• Published: 03/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: A2Mk LLC, Jerunazargabr LLC, lo Limited Partnership Lllp, Patents Innovations LLC, Seastheday, LLC
• Original Assignee: Seastheday, LLC
• Inventors: Mardirossian, Aris
• Granted Patent: US 8,888,051 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 246/125
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/30 Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements

Abstract

Systems and/or methods for reducing problems associated with the train/railroad systems are provided. In certain example embodiments, a system and/or method is provided wherein a sensor monitors a particular area (e.g. a train/railroad crossing, a tunnel entrance or exit, etc.) and transmits data (e.g. an image and/or video) to a train as it approaches the monitored area (e.g. when it is within a predetermined distance of the monitored area). In certain example embodiments, the sensor may be enclosed within a housing to prevent damage thereto. A display within the train may indicate whether or not there is a problem at the particular monitored area (e.g. a blockage at a crossing, a cave-in at a tunnel, etc.). Multiple images corresponding to multiple areas may be displayed, and may be ordered, for example, to the train. The conductor of the train may take appropriate action to avoid accidents and/or to reduce the impact of inevitable accidents (e.g., by stopping the train or reducing speed).

Claims

1. A system for reducing problems associated with a railroad system, comprising:

at least one sensor operable to gather condition data related to at least one monitored area, each sensor being associated with at least one monitored area comprising a crossing where a train track intersects with a road for vehicles;

wherein each sensor has an associated first communicator configured to communicate with one or more second communicator(s), each second communicator being located on a train; and

,

wherein each train includes a display operable to display condition data relating to the crossing and received by the second communicator associated with the train.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each sensor is operable to gather condition data comprising a video, an image, and/or a temperature of the monitored area.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each sensor is operable to gather condition data at predetermined time intervals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the condition data further comprises a date and/or time associated with when the condition data was gathered, and an identifier for identifying the monitored area.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each train further includes a unit operable to determine a location and/or speed at which the train is traveling.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the unit comprises a GPS unit.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein a processor is operable to filter condition data based on a location of the train relative to the monitored area and/or a determination of when the train is scheduled to reach the monitored area.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein a processor is operable to order condition data received from two or more sensors based on a location of the train relative to the monitored area and/or a determination of when the train is scheduled to reach the monitored area.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein a second display located proximate to the monitored area is operable to display a time at which a train will arrive at the monitored area, a length of time during which the train will be passing through the monitored area, and/or a countdown until the train will arrive at the monitored area.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each first communicator and each second communicator is a wireless communicator.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a central safety station operable to communicate with each first communicator and each second communicator.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the central safety station is configured to relay condition data to a second communicator from a first communicator based on a location of the train relative to the monitored area and/or a determination of when the train is scheduled to reach the monitored area.

13. A method for reducing problems associated with a railroad system, the method comprising:

gathering condition data for at least one monitored area;

sending the condition data to any trains within a receiving range;

when a train is within a receiving range of the condition data, receiving the condition data by the train; and

,

displaying the condition data on the train based on a predetermined criteria.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein condition data is gathered at predetermined intervals.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the condition data comprises a video and/or an image of the monitored area, a date and/or time associated with when the video and/or image of the monitored area was gathered, and an identifier for identifying the monitored area.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising determining a location and/or speed at which the train is traveling.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined criteria is based on a location of the train relative to the monitored area and/or a determination of when the train is scheduled to reach the monitored area.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising ordering condition data received from two or more sensors based on a location of the train relative to the monitored area and/or a determination of when the train is scheduled to reach the monitored area.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying a time at which a train will arrive, a length of time during which the train will be passing through the monitored area, and/or a countdown until the train will arrive, at a location proximate to the monitored area.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising sending all condition data to a central safety station, the central safety station being operable to determine whether the condition data should be send to a train based on the predetermined condition.