METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GRADE CROSSING PROTECTION

• US 20080103648A1
• Filed: 09/25/2007
• Published: 05/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ground Transportation Systems Canada Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Incorporated (Thales SA)
• Inventors: KANNER, Abe
• Granted Patent: US 8,548,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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, having 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.

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 each grade crossing.

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

4. The system, according to claim 1, wherein the signal received from transmitter includes a code corresponding to each GPC transmitter and a signal comprising a near-real time visual image of a surveillance area monitored by a camera located at each grade crossing.

5. The system, according to claim 1, further comprising a override control coupled to the control unit, the override control configured to override automatic operation of the control unit.

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

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 onboard transceiver.

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

11. A method for automatically braking a train approaching a grade crossing comprising the steps 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; and

automatically reducing train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

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

13. The method of claim 11, 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.

14. The method of claim 11, 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.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

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.

16. 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; and

automatically reducing train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing.

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

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; and

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.