Vehicle restraint with bi-directional sensor

A method of operating a vehicle restraint disposed adjacent to a loading dock face, wherein the vehicle restraint includes a rotatable barrier with a distal end, and the rotatable barrier can be used for restricting a RIG (rear impact guard) of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• raising the distal end toward the RIG to a first position;
• holding the distal end substantially stationary relative to the RIG after raising the distal end to the first position;
• and
• sensing a separation between the distal end of the barrier and the RIG as the RIG moves away from the distal end of the barrier and toward the loading dock face;
• moving the distal end vertically and horizontally to a second position such that the distal end engages the RIG in response to sensing the separation in the horizontal direction.

A method of operating a vehicle restraint mountable near a loading dock for engaging a RIG (rear impact guard) of a vehicle, the method comprising:

• moving a barrier relative to a loading dock between at least a first position to release the RIG and a second position to engage the RIG within a RIG-receiving throat area;
• sensing a separation of the RIG from the RIG-receiving throat area as the RIG moves toward a wall of the loading dock in a horizontal direction;
• and
• moving the barrier to a third position to engage the RIG within the RIG-receiving throat area and to reduce the separation between the RIG and the RIG-receiving throat area.