Method and system for grade crossing protection

• US 8,548,655 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2007
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ground Transportation Systems Canada Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thales Canada Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Inventors: Kanner, Abe
• Primary Examiner(s): Shafi, Muhammad
• Application Number:
  US11/861,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103648A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,198 Days
• Field of Search: 701/19, 701/20, 701/2, 701/23, 701/24, 701/28, 246 3- 15, 246/24, 246/27, 246/28.R, 246/38, 246/34.A, 246/44, 246/55, 246/74, 246/91, 246/105, 246/113, 246/126, 246/133, 246/136, 246/160, 246/182.R, 246/182.A, 246/219, 246/167.R, 342/357.23, 715/761, 371/98, 371/04
• US Class Current: 701/19
• CPC Class Codes: B61C 17/12 Control gear; Arrangements for controlling locomotives from remote points in the train or when operating in multiple units control from points outside the train B61L3/00; fluid-actuated telemotors, servomotors F15B; control devices in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/009 On-board display devices
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/243 Transmission mechanism or acoustical signals for gates
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 29/30 Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for a grade crossing protection system include at least one camera providing surveillance of a grade crossing, the at least one camera coupled to a transmitter configured to transmit a signal that includes imagery of the grade crossing to a transceiver onboard a train. A display unit onboard the train is provided to allow the train operator to view the grade crossing. A control unit in communication with the transceiver is configured to monitor the received signal and, based upon a determined location of the train relative to the train crossing, issue a command to the train'"'"'s brake system to reduce the speed of the train, or stop the train, before the train reaches the grade crossing.

Claims

1. A method for automatically braking a train approaching a grade crossing comprising the steps of:

receiving, by an onboard control unit, a transmission comprising imagery of a surveillance area at a grade crossing;

displaying the received imagery on a device viewable by a train operator;

determining a position of the train relative to the grade crossing;

automatically reducing, by the onboard control unit, train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing;

receiving an override command from an operator of the train; and

overriding the automatic reduction in speed of the train based upon a status of the received transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a position of the train based upon a Global Positioning Satellite signal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a position of the train based upon a location signal received from a positioning transponder disposed along the train track; and

comparing the position of the train to a stored location of the grade crossing.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a received status of the transmission from grade crossing; and

stopping the train prior to the grade crossing based upon the determined status of the received signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein overriding the automatic reduction in speed comprises maintaining the speed of the train.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein overriding the automatic reduction in speed comprises increasing the speed of the train.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping the train prior to the grade crossing based upon determining a lack of receipt of a subsequent transmission comprising imagery.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a near-real time visual image of the surveillance area.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a continuous sequence of images of the surveillance area.

10. A method of controlling a train approaching a grade crossing comprising:

receiving, by an onboard control unit, imagery of a surveillance area at a grade crossing;

displaying received imagery of the surveillance area at the grade crossing on a device viewable by a train operator;

monitoring the distance from the train to the grade crossing;

automatically reducing, by the onboard control unit, train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing;

increasing or maintaining the train speed responsive to receipt of an override command from an operator of the train if imagery is displayed to the train operator;

stopping the train if imagery is not displayed to the train operator and an override command is not received from the train operator;

receiving an override command from an operator of the train; and

overriding the automatic reduction in speed of the train based upon a status of the received transmission.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a near-real time visual image of the surveillance area.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a continuous sequence of images of the surveillance area.