A supplemental shunting device indicator (SSDI) for use with respect to a shunting device for a railroad. The SSDI comprises a housing. The housing comprises a light, a clamp for surrounding at least a portion of the shunting device, a power supply, and a current-sensing switch configured to electrically connect the power supply and the light in response to detection of a current.

A supplemental shunting device indicator (SSDI) for use with respect to a shunting device for a railroad. The SSDI comprises a housing. The housing comprises a light, a clamp for surrounding at least a portion of the shunting device, a power supply, and a current-sensing switch configured to electrically connect the power supply and the light in response to detection of a current.

The present disclosure includes a portable rail safety system configured to determine a position of a rail switch. The rail safety system may include a rail switch detector, one or more rail switch beacons, a work block marker, a personal alert device, a collision avoidance system or combination thereof. In some aspects rail switch detector includes a first detector configured to be positioned between switch rails of a rail track and having a body, a first sensor coupled to the body and configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails, and a controller configured to calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip and based on the first distance, determine a position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position.

The present invention relates to a smart helmet for use by railyard personnel at a railyard. The smart helmet may utilize many safety features, such as improved visibility, a real-time camera, a Wi-Fi antenna, an environmental monitor, high-accuracy location tracking, tracking the state of the railyard crew member, real-time communication, and mobile power. Each of these features may be incorporated with the smart helmet.

The present invention relates to a smart helmet for use by railyard personnel at a railyard. The smart helmet may utilize many safety features, such as improved visibility, a real-time camera, a Wi-Fi antenna, an environmental monitor, high-accuracy location tracking, tracking the state of the railyard crew member, real-time communication, and mobile power. Each of these features may be incorporated with the smart helmet.

A device for grounding an overhead line of a segment of rail track including a first electrical conductor configured for connecting electrically to the overhead line of the segment of rail track, a second electrical conductor configured for connecting electrically to ground and/or a return line of the segment of rail track, a switch configured to enable and disable a connection between the first and second electrical conductors, control means configured to activate and deactivate the switch and communication means configured for wireless communication with a remote communication device, for receiving a control signal from the remote communication device and for accordingly actuating the control means for activating and deactivating the switch, or for blocking the switch, wherein the communication means are configured for communication over a public telecommunication network.

A device for grounding an overhead line of a segment of rail track including a first electrical conductor configured for connecting electrically to the overhead line of the segment of rail track, a second electrical conductor configured for connecting electrically to ground and/or a return line of the segment of rail track, a switch configured to enable and disable a connection between the first and second electrical conductors, control means configured to activate and deactivate the switch and communication means configured for wireless communication with a remote communication device, for receiving a control signal from the remote communication device and for accordingly actuating the control means for activating and deactivating the switch, or for blocking the switch, wherein the communication means are configured for communication over a public telecommunication network.

A railway collision protection and safety system has 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 railway collision protection and safety system has 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 rail warning system using wireless portable transmitters/receivers. The rail warning system uses chirp spread spectrum modulation scheme, and alerts personnel in work zones on or near train tracks as well as optionally, on track equipment and train operators , of approaching trains or on track equipment. Portable wayside devices may also be positioned on the rail web, optionally magnetically, to alert work personnel, allowing for secure placement but also portability to other locations on the same track or adjacent tracks.