Collision avoidance using GPS device and train proximity detector
First Claim
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1. A train collision avoidance system, comprising:
- a data base storing train grade crossing data identifying coordinates where a railroad track intersects with a road and for each train grade crossing data stored, storing in association therewith road heading data indicating the heading of roads intersecting respective railroad tracks at the grade crossings;
a processor programmed to receive GPS vehicle location data that identifies a location of a vehicle, and programmed to use said GPS vehicle location data and said train grade crossing data to determine if the vehicle is within a predefined distance from a grade crossing;
said processor being programmed to correlate the heading data of a road with a heading of the road vehicle; and
said processor is programmed to provide a sensory indication when the vehicle is within the predefined distance from the grade crossing and when the road vehicle is on a road that intersects with the grade crossing.
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Abstract
A processor (12) located on a vehicle processes GPS coordinates input thereto to provide an area of protection around the vehicle. Railroad grade crossing data (82, 84) stored in a data base (30) is read therefrom to ascertain whether a grade crossing is within the area of protection. If so, heading data (86) stored in association with the grade crossing data (82, 84) is compared with the heading of the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is on a road that intersects the grade crossing. If so, a first level alert is provided to the vehicle operator. If, in addition, a train is in the vicinity of the crossing, a second level alert is provided to the operator of the vehicle.
94 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A train collision avoidance system, comprising:
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a data base storing train grade crossing data identifying coordinates where a railroad track intersects with a road and for each train grade crossing data stored, storing in association therewith road heading data indicating the heading of roads intersecting respective railroad tracks at the grade crossings;
a processor programmed to receive GPS vehicle location data that identifies a location of a vehicle, and programmed to use said GPS vehicle location data and said train grade crossing data to determine if the vehicle is within a predefined distance from a grade crossing;
said processor being programmed to correlate the heading data of a road with a heading of the road vehicle; and
said processor is programmed to provide a sensory indication when the vehicle is within the predefined distance from the grade crossing and when the road vehicle is on a road that intersects with the grade crossing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A train collision avoidance system, comprising:
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a first detector for detecting a geographical location of a vehicle, not a train;
a second detector for detecting a proximity of a train near the vehicle;
a direction sensing device for providing data indicating a heading of the vehicle;
a data base storing geographical coordinates of grade crossings where roads intersect respective railroad tracks;
a processor that is programmed to compare the geographical location of the vehicle with the coordinates of the grade crossing to determine whether the vehicle is within a prescribed distance from the grade crossing; and
said processor is programmed to provide a sensory indication when said comparison is affirmative, when said detector detects a proximity of the train near the vehicle, and when the heading of the vehicle will cause the vehicle to intersect the grade crossing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A train collision avoidance system, comprising:
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a processor programmed to process GPS coordinate data received from a satellite to determine a geographical location of a road vehicle;
said processor programmed with a database identifying intersections where railroad tracks intersect roads;
said processor programmed to periodically determine a geographical location of the road vehicle, and once the location of the road vehicle is determined, the processor defines an envelope of protection circumscribing the road vehicle so that said envelope of protection moves with the road vehicle;
said processor programmed to read said database to determine if a railroad intersections lies within said envelope of protection; and
said processor programmed to determine if a train is in a proximate area of the road vehicle, and if so, and if an intersection is within said envelope of protection, said processor is programmed to provide a warning in the road vehicle.
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23. A method of avoiding a collision with a train, comprising the steps of
providing an indication of a location of a vehicle; -
providing an indication of a direction of travel of the vehicle;
reading from a data base, data identifying a location of one or more train grade crossings, and data identifying a heading of at least one road intersecting the train grade crossing;
comparing the indication of the vehicle location with the location of the train grade crossing;
comparing the indication of the direction of travel of the vehicle with the heading of at least one road intersecting the train grade crossing; and
if the vehicle location is within a specified distance from the train grade crossing, and if the direction of travel of the vehicle corresponds to the heading of the road, providing a sensory indication of a potential for a collision between the train and the vehicle.
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Specification