In one embodiment, a method includes identifying, by an image detection tool, a tank within an image of a railway environment and identifying, by the image detection tool, a railroad track within the image of the railway environment. The method also includes determining, by the image detection tool, a distance between the tank and the railroad track and comparing, by the image detection tool, the distance between the tank and the railroad track to a predetermined threshold distance. The method further includes determining, by the image detection tool, that the tank presents a hazard to the railway environment in response to comparing the distance between the tank and the railroad track to the predetermined threshold distance.

Systems, devices, media, and methods are presented for controlling remote equipment in a network. A switch heater control system includes a weather modeling function. The system periodically obtains weather data according to a predetermined time interval. Based on the closest weather data set, the weather modeling function generates a hyperlocal forecast associated with each switch heater location. The system includes an active snowfall mode and a maintenance mode that controls heating based on an estimate of local snow depth, adjusted for wind conditions and passing trains. When the hyperlocal forecast indicates heating is required, the system calculates a melt duration, starts a timer, and transmits a start signal to the switch heater.

A method comprises controlling at least one of a first distance between a first side of the vehicle and the first guidance track and a second distance between a second side of the vehicle and the second guidance track and receiving a direction instruction corresponding to one of the first side and the second side, the one side being a directional side. Having received directional instruction, a directional distance between the directional side of the vehicle and one of the first guidance track and the second guidance track provided at the directional side of the vehicle is controlled. With no contact between vehicle and a guiding track, for example comprising rails, the distance between the vehicle and the guiding tracks along the trajectory needs to be controlled, preferably at a safe distance. This concept provides such control.

The present disclosure relates to a railway collision protection and safety system having a vehicle device located on rail vehicles at a work zone, a personal protection unit located with rail workers at the work zone, and a dispatcher processor at a control center. An authority limit within the work zone may be determined by the dispatcher processor, and an authority exceeded signal is sent to the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle is determined to exceed the authority limit.

The present disclosure relates to a railway collision protection and safety system having a vehicle device located on rail vehicles at a work zone, a personal protection unit located with rail workers at the work zone, and a dispatcher processor at a control center. An authority limit within the work zone may be determined by the dispatcher processor, and an authority exceeded signal is sent to the rail vehicle when the rail vehicle is determined to exceed the authority limit.

A railroad car location, speed and heading sensor system including at least one self-powered, tie-mounted sensor node that is applicable universally to different railroad settings without using track circuits, inductive loops, radar systems, and wheel counters and associated disadvantages. Reliable and relatively low cost deterministic and redundant car presence detection is realized when multiple sensor nodes are arranged in a network, which may be a wireless mesh network, that is not affected by environmental conditions.

The present invention relates to a train movement authorization method based on vehicle-to-vehicle cooperation. The method includes the following steps: step 1: obtaining, by a train, current task information from an automatic train supervision system (ATS); step 2: obtaining, by the train, current resource allocation information from a trackside resource management center; step 3: reckoning, by the train, a first train in downstream of an operation direction of the train based on the received resource allocation information; step 4: sending, by the train, a location request to the first train in downstream of the operation direction of the train based on an operation task of the train and responding to a location request of another train; step 5: calculating, by the train, movement authorization of the train based on train information sent by the first train in downstream of the operation direction; and step 6: applying for, by the train, a corresponding line resource from the trackside resource management center based on the task of the train and a status of the calculated movement authorization. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: simplifying an architecture of a CBTC system, and increasing CBTC operation efficiency.

The present invention relates to a train movement authorization method based on vehicle-to-vehicle cooperation. The method includes the following steps: step 1: obtaining, by a train, current task information from an automatic train supervision system (ATS); step 2: obtaining, by the train, current resource allocation information from a trackside resource management center; step 3: reckoning, by the train, a first train in downstream of an operation direction of the train based on the received resource allocation information; step 4: sending, by the train, a location request to the first train in downstream of the operation direction of the train based on an operation task of the train and responding to a location request of another train; step 5: calculating, by the train, movement authorization of the train based on train information sent by the first train in downstream of the operation direction; and step 6: applying for, by the train, a corresponding line resource from the trackside resource management center based on the task of the train and a status of the calculated movement authorization. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: simplifying an architecture of a CBTC system, and increasing CBTC operation efficiency.

The object of the present invention is to provide a system for operating a marshalling yard in a more efficient and time saving way, by avoiding unnecessary procedures of preparation, usually done manually by mechanical means only, and turn it into an advanced technological facility.

A system and method for inspecting a railway track using sensors oriented at an oblique angle relative to a rail vehicle on which the system is traveling. The use of an air blower, ducts, and one or more air distribution lids over the sensors helps remove debris from blocking the sensors and structured light generators.