A parking verification system and method, a movement verification system and method, and a monitoring system and method for a train, or other transit vehicle.

Disclosed is a method for guiding passengers of public transport, in particular of trams or trains respectively, at stations or in station areas and/or inside the transportation unit. The passengers embark and disembark in the embark-/disembark area via at least two doors, and the embark-/disembark area extends to the length of the vehicle. The method includes: generating a prediction of the occupancy level of the vehicle with regard to the resulting situation in the vehicle after disembarking at each stop; distributing of the passengers which are moving to the entry area and/or waiting in the entry area ready for embarking corresponding to the prediction to the area of the doors for an approximately uniform distribution of the passengers inside the vehicle; and if applicable, distribution of the passengers inside the vehicle under consideration of the predicted, preferably section-wise occupancy level and of the passengers actually ready for embarking.

A system for visually assisting an operator of a railcar mover that provides a visual display and a pair of alignment lines superimposed on the image of the display to assist the operator to properly align a railcar mover to the railroad rails when transitioning from driving on the road to driving on the railroad rails. The system further includes a set of cameras positioned around the railcar mover and a processor, which can create a composite image of a top view of the railcar mover to further assist the operator position the railcar mover properly.

An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives and, more particularly, to a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizes remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

A railcar hatch control system and method for operating railcar hatches of a multi-railcar train is disclosed. A multi-railcar train may have a locomotive and a plurality of railcars having railcar hatches that can be opened and closed. The system and method may include displaying railcar identification information for the railcars on an operator display device, and receiving selections of railcars from an operator that will have a railcar hatch operation performed thereon, such as opening or closing the hatches. The railcar hatch operation is input, and the system and method control the railcar hatch operation being performed only on the selected railcars, and not on the railcars that have not been selected by the operator. The system and method may have operator interfaces devices at an operator station of the train, or at a remote location or on a remote device that communicates wirelessly with the train.

An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizing remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

The present invention provides a network system of a railcar, the network system being capable of efficiently performing maintenance work. One example of the network system of the railcar of the present invention includes: intra-car networks (N1 to N3) to which first and second apparatuses are connected; an inter-car network (NA) for transmission of information between the apparatuses mounted on different cars; routers (R1 to R3) each provided and connected between the corresponding intra-car network (N1 to N3) and the inter-car network (NA) and each including a network address translation portion configured to mutually convert a private address of the first apparatus and an IP address of the inter-car network (NA); and a maintenance transmission path forming unit configured to form a transmission path through which the transmission and reception of the information are performed between a maintenance terminal (5) and a maintenance target apparatus selected from the first and second apparatuses, the transmission path not passing through the network address translation portion of the car on which the maintenance target apparatus is mounted.

A locomotive control system includes a mobile platform that moves under remote and/or autonomous control, a sensor package supported by the mobile platform that obtains information relating to a component of a railroad, and one or more processors that receive the sensor information and analyze the information in combination with other information that is not obtained from the sensor package. The processors also generate an output that displays information relating to one or more of a status, a condition, and/or a state of health of the component of the railroad; initiates an action to change an operational state of the component; identifies a hazard to one or more locomotives traveling within the railroad; and/or collects the information relating to the component. Optionally, the component is not communicatively coupled to an information network and the mobile platform provides the information obtained by the sensor package to the information network.

A sensor device includes an audio sensor and a wireless communication module. The audio sensor is configured to be mounted on a railroad vehicle. The audio sensor is configured to (i) monitor sounds emanating from one or more wheels of the railroad vehicle as the railroad vehicle moves along a track and (ii) generate sound data associated with the monitored sounds emanating from the one or more wheels. The wireless communication module is configured to transmit a broken wheel signal responsive to a determination that a portion of the generated sound data is indicative that a first one of the one or more wheels is damaged or broken.

A system and method for providing a virtual approach signal restriction upgrade between physical signaling components is presented. In one embodiment, in a CTC type of operation, the use of a virtual signal with signal type functionality to split a block into two or more sections can allow a train currently governed by an approach indication to accelerate on a clear indication if the advance signal indication upgrades. The addition of audio frequency type circuits with the advance signal indication can allow a train to upgrade from a restricting indication to an approach or clear indication, while protecting open HT switches, broken rail, hazards, and follow up moves. The present invention provides a system for allowing trains to upgrade from a restricting indication to an approach or clear and accelerate indication with an upgraded PTC track line for the segment.