# US 2017/0282944 A1 · Worker protection system

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- Number: US 2017/0282944 A1
- Document ID: US20170282944A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/623,996
- Filed: 2017-06-15
- Published: 2017-10-05
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-23
- Assignees: Metrom Rail, LLC
- Applicants: Metrom Rail, LLC
- Inventors: Richard Carlson; Kurt Gunther; Sara Jo Woitel; Marc Wayne Cygnus; Peter Strezev; John Albert Plutt, JR.
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282944A1

## CPC

- B61L 23/06: for warning men working on the route
- B61L 15/0027: {Radio-based, e.g. using GSM-R}
- B61L 25/021: {Measuring and recording of train speed}
- B61L 25/025: {Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates}
- G01S 19/17: Emergency applications
- B61L 27/70: Details of trackside communication
- B61L 2205/04: Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- G01S 19/50: whereby the position solution is constrained to lie upon a particular curve or surface, e.g. for locomotives on railway tracks
- G08B 25/016: {Personal emergency signalling and security systems (emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12)}
- B61L: GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC (brakes or auxiliary equipment B61H, B61K; point or crossing construction E01B)
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
- G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS

## Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for worker protection. The worker protection systems comprise a plurality of alert devices, comprising one or more wearable personal alert devices, each worn by a person (e.g., worker), and one or more companion alert devices that broadcast alerts or signals triggering alerts. The companion alert devices comprise vehicle-mounted alert devices, configured for operation on vehicles (e.g., trains), and wayside detection units, configured for placement on or near paths of the vehicles. The wayside detection units may be operable to autonomously detect and track the vehicles.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for worker protection, the system comprises:
a wayside detection unit, configured for placement on or near path of a vehicle, the wayside detection unit comprising:
a housing for enclosing components of the wayside detection unit;
a support structure for holding and supporting the wayside detection unit when placed on or near the path;
a power supply for powering components of the wayside detection unit;
one or more sensory components, for detecting, monitoring, and/or tracking vehicles;
a communication component, comprising one or more antennas, configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals; and
one or more circuits operable to:
process signals and data, and
perform one or more applications or functions relating to operations of the wayside detection unit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a tripod or a connection element for permanent connection to wayside equipment.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the wayside detection unit autonomously detect and track the vehicles.