System for grade crossing protection

• US 8,676,411 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• 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:
  US14/013,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20140005905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 201 Days
• Field of Search: 701/2, 701/19, 701/20, 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, 105/61
• 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 grade crossing protection system comprising an onboard apparatus configured to be mounted in a train, the onboard apparatus comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive an imagery signal from a grade crossing, the received signal comprising an image of a surveillance area at the grade crossing;

a display unit configured to display the image of the surveillance area at the grade crossing;

a control unit in communication with the transceiver, the control unit configured to monitor the received signal and issue a command to a braking system of the train based upon a status of the received signal and a determined location of the train along a train track; and

an override control coupled to the control unit, the override control configured to override automatic operation of the control unit.

2. The system, according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises:

a memory with information regarding the grade crossing stored thereon, the grade crossing information including an absolute location of the grade crossing.

3. The system, according to claim 1, further comprising a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, the GPS receiver configured to provide location information to the control unit.

4. The system, according to claim 1, wherein the imagery signal received from the grade crossing is transmitted via at least one repeater radio unit.

5. The system, according to claim 1, further comprising at least one transponder disposed along the train track, the transponder configured to allow the control unit to determine the location of the train when the train passes over the transponder.

6. The system, according to claim 1, further comprising an alarm indicator actuated by the control unit.

7. The system, according to claim 1, further comprising a logging device configured to record inputs to the control unit and commands issued by the control unit.

8. The system, according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one camera configured to monitor the surveillance area of the grade crossing;

a transmitting device configured to receive an output of the camera;

wherein the transmitting device is configured to transmit continuous images of the surveillance area to the transceiver.

9. The system, according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting device comprises logic configured to transmit information allowing the control unit to associate the received image with a particular grade crossing.

10. The system, according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting device comprises a digital radio operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band.

11. The system, according to claim 8, wherein the at least one camera includes an infrared camera.

12. The system, according to claim 8, wherein the at least one camera includes a first camera and a second camera, and the transmitting device is further configured to receive an output of the first camera and an output of the second camera.

13. A control unit configured to perform the actions of:

receiving, onboard a train, 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 train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing; and

receiving an override command from an operator of the train and overriding the automatic reduction in speed of the train.

14. The control unit of claim 13, further configured to perform the action of:

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

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

15. The control unit of claim 13, wherein determining a position of the train relative to the grade crossing comprises using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, the GPS receiver configured to provide location information to the control unit.

16. The control unit of claim 13, wherein determining a position of the train relative to the grade crossing comprises using at least one transponder disposed along the train track.

17. A system for increasing the safety of a railroad grade crossing comprising:

at least one camera providing surveillance of a grade crossing;

a transmitter configured to receive an output of the at least one camera and transmit a signal including imagery of the grade crossing to a train;

a transceiver onboard the train configured to receive the transmitted signal;

a display unit having an input coupled to the transceiver and configured to display the transmitted grade crossing imagery;

a control unit in communication with the transceiver, the control unit configured to monitor the received signal and based upon a determined location of the train relative to the train crossing, issue a command to a brake system of the train to reduce a speed of the train or stop the train before the train reaches the grade crossing; and

an override control coupled to the control unit, the override control configured to override the command to the brake system of the train.