System for grade crossing protection
AssigneeThales Canada Inc.
InventorAbe Kanner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for a grade crossing protection system include at least one camera providing surveillance of a grade crossing, the at least one camera coupled to a transmitter configured to transmit a signal that includes imagery of the grade crossing to a transceiver onboard a train. A display unit onboard the train is provided to allow the train operator to view the grade crossing. A control unit in communication with the transceiver is configured to monitor the received signal and, based upon a determined location of the train relative to the train crossing, issue a command to the train's brake system to reduce the speed of the train, or stop the train, before the train reaches the grade crossing.
Claims17
A grade crossing protection system comprising an onboard apparatus configured to be mounted in a train, the onboard apparatus comprising:
- a transceiver configured to receive an imagery signal from a grade crossing, the received signal comprising an image of a surveillance area at the grade crossing;
- a display unit configured to display the image of the surveillance area at the grade crossing;
- a control unit in communication with the transceiver, the control unit configured to monitor the received signal and issue a command to a braking system of the train based upon a status of the received signal and a determined location of the train along a train track;
- and an override control coupled to the control unit, the override control configured to override automatic operation of the control unit.
A control unit configured to perform the actions of:
- receiving, onboard a train, a transmission comprising imagery of a surveillance area at a grade crossing;
- displaying the received imagery on a device viewable by a train operator;
- determining a position of the train relative to the grade crossing;
- automatically reducing train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing;
- and receiving an override command from an operator of the train and overriding the automatic reduction in speed of the train.
A system for increasing the safety of a railroad grade crossing comprising:
- at least one camera providing surveillance of a grade crossing;
- a transmitter configured to receive an output of the at least one camera and transmit a signal including imagery of the grade crossing to a train;
- a transceiver onboard the train configured to receive the transmitted signal;
- a display unit having an input coupled to the transceiver and configured to display the transmitted grade crossing imagery;
- a control unit in communication with the transceiver, the control unit configured to monitor the received signal and based upon a determined location of the train relative to the train crossing, issue a command to a brake system of the train to reduce a speed of the train or stop the train before the train reaches the grade crossing;
- and an override control coupled to the control unit, the override control configured to override the command to the brake system of the train.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.