Ultra-wideband work train protection

A method for protecting a work train using ultra-wideband (UWB) beacons, the method comprising:

• receiving, by an onboard UWB beacon disposed on the work train, unique beacon identification numbers transmitted by one or more wayside UWB beacons;
• obtaining, by control unit disposed on the work train, a location of the one or more wayside UWB beacons;
• determining, by the control unit, a location of the work train based at least in part on the location of the one or more wayside UWB beacons;
• and
• transmitting, by the control unit, the location of the work train to a zone controller.

A system for protecting work trains, the system comprising:

• a plurality of ultra-wideband (UWB) wayside beacons disposed along a track, each of the plurality of UWB beacons configured to broadcast a unique beacon identification number;
• a work train disposed on the track, the work train having an onboard UWB control system, the onboard UWB control system comprising:
• a control unit;
• a radio-frequency (RF) communication device in communication with the control unit;
• an onboard UWB beacon in communication with the control unit, wherein the onboard UWB beacon is configured to receive the unique beacon identification number from one or more of the plurality of UWB wayside beacons and wherein the control unit is configured to determine a position of the work train on the track based upon known locations of the one or more UWB wayside beacons;
• and
• a zone controller configured to track a presence of the work train on the track using a vital track vacancy detection system disposed on the track.