Traffic control system and method for providing a preemption signal

A traffic control system comprising:

• a railroad crossing control system comprising a constant warning time device with a control unit configured to produce multiple signals,
• a wheel sensing system comprising at least one sensor connected to a rail of a railroad track at a predetermined position, and
• a communication network interfacing with the railroad crossing control system and the wheel sensing system and adapted to transmit data,
• wherein the wheel sensing system provides speed values of a rail vehicle travelling on the railroad track, and wherein the speed values are transmitted to the railroad crossing control system via the communication network for producing a preemption signal for the traffic signal control system.

A method for providing a preemption signal to a traffic signal control system comprising:

• installing a wheel sensing system comprising at least one sensor at a railroad track, the at least one sensor being connected to a rail of the railroad track,
• connecting the wheel sensing system to a constant warning time device of a railroad crossing control system by a communication network adapted to transmit data,
• obtaining speed values of a rail vehicle travelling on the railroad track by the wheel sensing system,
• transmitting the speed values obtained by the wheel sensing system to the constant warning time device via the communication network, and
• providing a preemption signal based on the speed values to a traffic signal control system by the constant warning time device.