Redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor systems and methods for railroad crossing and adjacent signalized intersection vehicular traffic control preemption
OwnerThomas N. Hillearyinventor
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Abstract
Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.
Claims20
A vehicle control system comprising:
- a controller applying a normal control algorithm to regulate a passage of at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle through a predetermined safety zone;
- and
- at least one radar sensor configured to detect a presence and speed of the first moving vehicle approaching the predetermined safety zone;
- wherein the controller is responsive to the detected presence and speed of the first moving vehicle to interrupt the normal control algorithm to ensure safe passage of the second vehicle through the predetermined safety zone.
A vehicle control method comprising:
- applying, with a controller, a normal control algorithm to regulate a passage of at least a first vehicle and a second vehicle through a predetermined safety zone;
- detecting, with at least one radar sensor, a presence and speed of the first moving vehicle approaching the predetermined safety zone;
- and
- responsive to the detected presence and speed of the first vehicle, interrupting the normal control algorithm to ensure safe passage of the second vehicle through the predetermined safety zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.