Highway crossing control system for railroads utilizing a communications link between the train locomotive and the crossing protection equipment
First Claim
1. In a method of controlling the operation of highway crossing protection equipment which guards railroad tracks which extend across the highway crossing, along which tracks trains travel, the improvement comprising the steps of transmitting a first radio message from the train to the equipment when the train approaches the crossing and is beyond a safe braking distance from the crossing, transmitting a second radio message from the crossing acknowledging the first message, and stopping the approaching train before it reaches the safe braking distance unless the second message is received.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Highway crossing protection equipment which operates warning lights or crossing gates is controlled from the train locomotive which enters into an interchange of messages via a radio link with the controller at the crossing. If communication is not established before the train reaches a safe braking distance, the brakes are applied and the train is not permitted to travel into the crossing. Communications between the train and the crossing controller is initiated by the locomotive when it passes a trackside beacon transponder located beyond a safe braking distance from the crossing. The crossing controller transmits a message addressed to the train acknowledging the receipt of the train signal. The message from the crossing controller causes the train to send a subsequent message within a minimum time which is used to update a timer (a minimum time) for the crossing to be actuated to its safe condition. All communications are handles through vital communications logic which activates the protection equipment to its safe condition or sets alarms or brakes in the train in the event of errors or failures in the messages being handled in the crossing controller or in the train equipment, respectively.
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Citations
14 Claims
- 1. In a method of controlling the operation of highway crossing protection equipment which guards railroad tracks which extend across the highway crossing, along which tracks trains travel, the improvement comprising the steps of transmitting a first radio message from the train to the equipment when the train approaches the crossing and is beyond a safe braking distance from the crossing, transmitting a second radio message from the crossing acknowledging the first message, and stopping the approaching train before it reaches the safe braking distance unless the second message is received.
- 8. In an apparatus for controlling the operation of highway crossing protection equipment which guards railroad tracks which extend across the highway crossing, along which tracks trains travel, the improvement comprising means for transmitting a first radio message from the train to the equipment when the train approaches the crossing and is beyond a safe braking distance from the crossing, means for transmitting a second radio message from the crossing acknowledging the first message, and means for stopping the approaching train before it reaches the safe braking distance unless the second message is received.
Specification