Guideway-guided vehicle detection based on RFID system

A method of detecting information about a guideway-guided vehicle having a masking component, the guideway-guided vehicle configured to follow a path of a guideway, the method comprising:

• substantially continuously monitoring, with a first antenna connected to or in communication with a first RFID reader, first transponder specific information transmitted from a first RFID transponder;
• wherein the presence of the masking component of the guideway-guided vehicle between the first RFID transponder and the first antenna masks the substantially continuous monitoring of the first RFID transponder specific information;
• and
• wherein the first RFID transponder and the first antenna are fixed relative to the path and on opposite sides of the path.

A method of making an apparatus for detecting the information about a guideway-guided vehicle having a masking component, the guideway-guided vehicle configured to follow a path of a guideway, comprising:

• fixing a first RFID transponder and a first antenna relative to the path and on opposite sides of the path;
• wherein the first RFID transponder is for transmitting, across the path, first RFID transponder specific information;
• wherein the first antenna is for receiving the first RFID transponder specific information;
• wherein the first antenna is connect to a first RFID reader which is configured to substantially continuously monitor the first transponder specific information;
• and
• wherein the presence of the masking component of the guideway-guided vehicle between the first RFID transponder and the first antenna masks the substantially continuous monitoring of the first RFID transponder specific information.