LED shielding and monitoring system and wayside LED signals

A wayside LED signal comprising:

• a LED shielding and monitoring system comprising:
• a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs);
• a plurality of optical detectors for detecting a light output of the plurality of LEDs;
• and
• a LED shield comprising a plurality of compartments for receiving the plurality of optical detectors,
• wherein the LED shield is configured such that each compartment receives at least one optical detector, and wherein each compartment is configured such that the at least one optical detector within the compartment detects the light output of at least one LED of the plurality of LEDs without detecting light output other than the light output of the at least one LED,
• wherein the LED shield comprises at least one extension and at least one bounding surface for mounting and aligning the LED shield, and
• a first lens for focusing the light output of the plurality of LEDs, wherein the LED shield is passively mounted to the first lens.

A wayside LED signal comprising:

• a plurality of optical detectors for detecting a light output of a plurality of LEDs;
• a LED shield comprising a plurality of compartments for receiving the plurality of optical detectors, and a center section for receiving the plurality of LEDs;
• and
• a light guide for transmitting light generated by the plurality of LEDs, wherein the LED shield is configured as a housing, and wherein the plurality of optical detectors, the plurality of LEDs and the light guide are positioned inside the LED shield,
• wherein the plurality of optical detectors are configured to detect light output generated by more than one LED.