A method and an apparatus for a train control installation are disclosed, and are based on the absolute permissive block concept. The train control installation employs a plurality of generic absolute block signal units (ABSU), wherein each signal unit includes means for detecting the crossing of a train passed a discrete point, means for exchanging data with adjacent ABSUs, means for generating and communicating a movement authority limit to a train, means for generating and displaying a signal indication, and means for enforcing a stop aspect. The train control installation can be used in conjunction with a communication based train control (CBTC) system to provide a degraded mode of operation without impacting the availability and the reliability of the CBTC system. Further, the train control installation has a self-healing feature to maintain train service during an ABSU failure.

A sensor arrangement (20) comprises a wheel sensor (21) which is arranged to detect wheels of rail vehicles, a carrier (22), and a connector (23), wherein the wheel sensor (21) is fixed on the carrier (22), the connector (23) is fixed to the carrier (22), and the connector (23) is electrically connected with at least one electrical contact (24) of the wheel sensor (21).

A sensor unit for detecting the approach of a train, the sensor unit having first and second non-rail-mounted sensors, wherein the non-rail-mounted sensors are different from one another. A first control unit, itself having first and second non-rail-mounted sensors, wherein the non-rail-mounted sensors are different from one another in that they work on different physical principles, wherein the first sensor unit and first control unit are arranged to cooperate with one another to detect the approach of a train.

A method for monitoring a railway track (11) is provided, the method comprising detecting monitoring signals (MS) by a distributed acoustic sensor (10) being arranged along the track (11), where each monitoring signal (MS) comprises a monitoring signal value (MSV) for a first measurement segment (12) of the distributed acoustic sensor (10) and a monitoring signal value (MSV) for a second measurement segment (22) of the distributed acoustic sensor (10), determining a first event monitoring signal value (EV1) for the first measurement segment (12) from the monitoring signal values (MSV) that are detected during the passage of a rail vehicle over the position of the first measurement segment (12), determining a second event monitoring signal value (EV2) for the second measurement segment (22) from the monitoring signal values (MSV) that are detected during the passage of a rail vehicle over the position of the second measurement segment (22), and determining a difference value (DV) where the difference value (DV) relates to the difference between an average relative value (ARV) and a relative value (RV), where the relative value (RV) is given by the relative difference between the first event monitoring signal value (EV1) and the second event monitoring signal value (EV2), wherein the average relative value (ARV) relates to an average value of relative values (RV) determined from previous passages of rail vehicles. Furthermore, a monitoring system (15) for monitoring a railway track (11) is provided.

A traffic control system (100) includes a railroad crossing control system (10) with a constant warning time device (40), a wheel sensing system (120) with a sensor (122) connected to a rail (20a, 20b) of a railroad track (20) at a predetermined position (P), and a communication network (140) interfacing with the railroad crossing control system (10) and the wheel sensing system (120) and adapted to transmit data. The wheel sensing system (120) provides speed values of a rail vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20), wherein the speed values are transmitted to the railroad crossing control system (10) via the communication network (140) for producing a preemption signal for the traffic signal control system (110). Further, a method for providing a preemption signal for a traffic signal control system (110) is described.

A control system for a train includes a display unit providing a first display including a plurality of distance counters simultaneously, wherein the plurality of distance counters includes at least a count up counter and a countdown counter. The control system further includes a controller configured to continually increment or decrement at least one of the count up or countdown counters based at least in part on a track distance covered by the train.

A control system for a train includes a display unit providing a first display including a plurality of distance counters simultaneously, wherein the plurality of distance counters includes at least a count up counter and a countdown counter. The control system further includes a controller configured to continually increment or decrement at least one of the count up or countdown counters based at least in part on a track distance covered by the train.

A control system is provided that may include a first sensor configured to detect a vehicle system. The control system may also include one or more processors in communication with the first sensor. The one or more processors may be configured to receive communication related to entry of the vehicle system into an area, and operate the first sensor to begin monitoring the vehicle system in response to entry of vehicle system into the area. The one or more processors may also be configured to record movement data related to the vehicle system, and determine movement of the vehicle system within the area based on the movement data.

A method for detecting a movement of a rail vehicle, in particular a freight or passenger train, in a warning zone of a rail crossing, includes: determining a first temperature in the warning zone of the rail crossing or in a portion of the warning zone at a first time; determining a second temperature in the warning zone of the rail crossing or in a portion of the warning zone at a second time. The first time is chronologically before the second time. The method compares the first temperature with the second temperature. If the comparison demonstrates that the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, the method outputs a warning signal and initiates blocking of the rail crossing.

A method for detecting a movement of a rail vehicle, in particular a freight or passenger train, in a warning zone of a rail crossing, includes: determining a first temperature in the warning zone of the rail crossing or in a portion of the warning zone at a first time; determining a second temperature in the warning zone of the rail crossing or in a portion of the warning zone at a second time. The first time is chronologically before the second time. The method compares the first temperature with the second temperature. If the comparison demonstrates that the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, the method outputs a warning signal and initiates blocking of the rail crossing.