Railroad crossing traffic warning system apparatus and method therefore

A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist at a railroad crossing over a railroad track to the presence of an oncoming train, said warning system comprising:

• (a) a first train detection magnetometer for detecting an oncoming train and for producing a first train detection signal in response to the presence of an oncoming train, said first train detection magnetometer being positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a first predetermined distance from the railroad crossing;
• (b) a second train detection magnetometer for detecting an oncoming train and for producing a second train detection signal in response to the presence of an oncoming train, said second train detection magnetometer being positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a second predetermined distance from the railroad crossing;
• (b) a controller unit for receiving said first train detection signal from said first train detection magnetometer and said second train detection signal from said second train detection magnetometer, said controller unit comprising:
• (i) microprocessor means for processing the first train detection signal of said first train detection magnetometer and the second train detection signal of said second train detection magnetometer, said microprocessor means comparing said first and second train detection signals to determine a speed and which an oncoming train is traveling;
• (ii) magnetometer signal interface means for interfacing the first train detection signal of said first train detection magnetometer and the second train detection signal of said second train detection magnetometer with said microprocessor means;
• (ii) means for controlling said means for alerting the motorist, said controlling means being operationally connected to said microprocessor means and to said alerting means;
• (iii) battery means for supplying operational power to said microprocessor means;
• and
• (c) means for alerting the motorist to the presence of an oncoming railroad train such that the motorist may take cautionary or evasive action before the arrival of an oncoming train at the railroad crossing, said alerting means being coupled to and controlled by said controller unit.

A method for warming a motorist at a railroad crossing of the presence of an oncoming railroad train, said warning method comprising:

• (a) detecting the presence of an oncoming train at first and second predetermined distances from the railroad crossing;
• (b) determining the time required for an oncoming train to reach the railroad crossing;
• (c) detecting the presence of an oncoming train at a third predetermined distance from the railroad crossing;
• and
• (d) activating means for alerting the motorist to the presence of an oncoming train when the presence of an oncoming train is detected at said third predetermined distance from the railroad crossing.

An apparatus for warning a motorist at a railroad crossing of the presence of an oncoming train comprising:

• (a) a support means;
• (b) an X-shaped railroad crossing warning sign mounted on said support means, said warning sign having a reflector means for reflecting the lights of an oncoming automobile and a plurality of lighting means, said plurality of lighting means forming an X-shape;
• (c) a strobe light;
• (d) a train direction indicator means, said train direction indicator means including a plurality of lamps placed adjacent to each other in a line;
• said plurality of lamps lighted sequentially to indicate the direction in which an oncoming train is traveling;
• and
• (e) an audible warning means mounted on said supporting means for providing an audible output signal.

A railroad crossing traffic warning system for alerting a motorist at a railroad crossing over a railroad track to the presence of an oncoming train, said warning system comprising:

• (a) a first train detection sensor for detecting an oncoming train and for producing a first train detection signal in response to the presence of an oncoming train, said first train detection sensor being positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a first predetermined distance from the railroad crossing;
• (b) a second train detection sensor for detecting an oncoming train and for producing a second train detection signal in response to the presence of an oncoming train, said second train detection sensor being positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a second predetermined distance from the railroad crossing;
• (b) a controller unit for receiving said first train detection signal from said first train detection sensor and said second train detection signal from said second train detection sensor;
• and
• (c) a backup train detection sensor for detecting an oncoming train and for producing a backup train detection signal in response to the presence of an oncoming train, said backup train detection sensor being positioned adjacent to the railroad track at a third predetermined distance from the railroad crossing, said backup train detection signal provided to said controller unit.