Warning light control system with variable flashing rate

A method of operating a warning light assembly at a railway crossing, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the warning light assembly including a first warning light, a voltage signal, the voltage signal corresponding to a railway crossing event and being supplied to the first warning light at a switching frequency;
• initiating a warning light flashing sequence, the warning light flashing sequence including:
• during a first time period, illuminating the first warning light during receipt of the voltage signal in a flashing pattern, the flashing pattern having a flashing frequency of at least two flashing events within a single switching period defined by the switching frequency;
• during a second time period after the first time period, discontinuing the flashing pattern and illuminating the warning light in accordance with the voltage signal at the switching frequency;
• and
• upon determining that receipt of the voltage signal at the warning light assembly is discontinued for a plurality of switching periods, reinitializing the warning light flashing sequence for a next railway crossing event.

A warning light assembly comprising:

• a light emitting device;
• and
• a control circuit having an input voltage connection and operatively connected to the light emitting device to selectively illuminate the light emitting device, wherein the control circuit is configured to:
• receive a voltage signal at the input voltage connection in response to a railway crossing event;
• initiate a warning light flashing sequence, the warning light flashing sequence including:
• during a first time period, illuminating the light emitting device during receipt of the voltage signal in a flashing pattern, the flashing pattern having a flashing frequency of at least two flashing events per second;
• during a second time period after the first time period, discontinuing the flashing pattern and illuminating the light emitting device in accordance with the voltage signal;
• and
• upon determining that receipt of the voltage signal at the warning light assembly is discontinued for at least for a predetermined time of at least five seconds, reinitializing the warning light flashing sequence for a next railway crossing event.