A system and a method for preventing collision between a first train and a second train are provided. The system includes at least one first subsystem installed on a first train. The at least one first subsystem is configured to broadcast a message indicative of a status of the first train. The system further includes at least one second subsystem installed on a second train configured to selectively receive the broadcast message from the at least one first subsystem on the first train. The second subsystem determines the status of the first train by analyzing the broadcast message. An action to be performed at the second train for preventing a collision between the first train and the second train is determined based on the status of the first train. One or more instructions are generated for performing the action at the second train.

A system comprises a first sensor on a first end of a vehicle and an on-board controller coupled to the first sensor. The first sensor is configured to detect a radio frequency (RF) signature of a marker along a guideway. The first sensor is a radar detection device. The on-board controller is configured to determine a first position of the vehicle on the guideway or a first distance from the position of the vehicle to a stopping location along the guideway based on at least the RF signature received from the first sensor. The marker is a metasurface plate comprising a first diffused element, a first retroreflector element, a first absorbing element and a second diffused element between the first retroreflector element and the first absorbing element.

An end of train device includes an enclosure having an exterior and a hollow interior housing a plurality of components; and a protective arrangement disposed within the hollow interior of the enclosure and fitted at least partially around at least one component housed within the hollow interior. The protective arrangement defines at least one compartment for the at least one component of the plurality components. The protective arrangement at least partially supports and isolates the at least one component from the enclosure. The device also includes an impact resistant handle disposed on the exterior of the enclosure. The handle is configured to absorb impacts without causing substantial deformation to the enclosure.

An apparatus for mounting an attachment structure (such as an EOT) to a railroad coupler includes a base, a locking member (J-hook), a bolt and one or more spring elements. The base includes a mounting portion for the attachment structure and a sleeve insertable through the attachment structure. The base, the J-hook and the bolt cooperate such that the J-hook is rotated from an unlocked position to a locked position by torque applied via the bolt head. Consequently, the J-hook shaft is pulled inside the sleeve and the J-hook aligns with a clamp face of the base to clamp a portion of the coupler therebetween. Responsive to the applied torque, the one or more spring elements are compressed to allow mechanical engagement between a first surface and a second surface, producing a mechanical torque opposing the applied torque, which reduces axial forces on the J-hook.

An autonomous system for generating and interpreting point clouds of a rail corridor along a survey path while moving on a railroad corridor assessment platform. The system includes two LiDAR sensors configured to scan along scan planes that intersect but not at all points. The LiDAR sensors are housed in autonomously controlled and temperature controlled protective enclosures.

A vehicle monitoring device includes a camera or other optical sensor configured to be disposed at a trailing end of a first vehicle system. The camera or other optical sensor is configured to output one or more images or video of a field of view behind the first vehicle system. The monitoring device also includes a controller configured to receive output from one or more sensors and to activate the camera or other optical sensor to output the one or more images or video based on the output from the one or more sensors. The output from the one or more sensors indicates one or more of a change in movement of the first vehicle system, a temperature, an acoustic sound, or movement of a second vehicle system.

A vehicle control system includes one or more of a HOV unit or an EOV unit. The HOV unit and/or the EOV unit may include functional devices, one or more processors, and a location signal receiver. The functional devices may perform one or more operations to control operation of a vehicle system on which the HOV unit and/or the EOV unit is disposed. The location signal receiver may receive location signals from an off-board source. The one or more processors may obtain or determine a location of the HOV unit and/or the EOV unit based on the location signals and to change a mode of operation of at least one of the functional devices responsive to the location changing from a first designated area or location to a different, second designated area or location.

A switch reporting device including at least one display screen, a high resolution camera, a code reader, at least one memory and one or more processors, the switch reporting device configured to determine a position of an unmonitored switch in a railway by capturing an image of one or more portions associated with the unmonitored switch, generating switch position data based on the image of one or more portions associated with the unmonitored switch, and updating a switch position record for the unmonitored switch with the switch position data. The switch reporting device includes one or more mobile computers or an EOT device for monitoring and reporting switch position data for an unmonitored switch.

A wireless train control network is adapted for forwarding data between a remote radio in an EOT unit and remote radio at the head of train using the base stations of the wireless train control network. A base station's current table of base station radios and remote radios that it hears or has a connection is distributed to neighboring base stations by a routing information exchange application. Tables are sent to and received from the application using a messaging service of the wireless train control network. A base station builds from the tables of neighboring base stations a route to a remote radio to which it is not connected, and forwards wireless data packets received for it by transmitting it to another base station radio.

An end-of-train (EOT) unit that comprises an enclosure housing its monitoring, control, and communication equipment and systems, an arm that positions and supports at least one auxiliary wheel on a rail of a track to rotate electrical generator coupled to the auxiliary wheel while the train is moving.