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.

A locomotive control method includes wirelessly communicating from at least one wireless transmitter positioned proximate a railroad crossing to a wireless locomotive receiver of a locomotive, either directly or indirectly via a wireless wayside transceiver, an indication if the railroad crossing is clear for passage of the locomotive through the railroad crossing, and receiving by the locomotive receiver the indication wirelessly communicated by the at least one portable transmitter. A locomotive controller or an operator of the locomotive can determine, based on the indication received by the locomotive receiver from the at least one portable transmitter, if it is safe for the locomotive to travel through the railroad crossing. The locomotive 4 can then be operated based on the determination.

The present invention relates to a smart vest for use by railyard personnel at a railyard. The smart vest utilizes many safety features, such as improved visibility, a real-time camera, 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 vest.

The present invention relates to a smart vest for use by railyard personnel at a railyard. The smart vest utilizes many safety features, such as improved visibility, a real-time camera, 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 vest.

Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.

Systems and methods are provided for worker protection system with ultra-wideband (UWB) based anchors. One or more wayside units placed on or near a track may be configured to form a work zone network, based on ultra-wideband (UWB) communications, corresponding to a work zone in an area surrounding or in proximity to the one or more wayside units. When the work zone network is formed, at least one wayside unit of the one or more wayside units may be configured to obtain ranging information to a train traversing the track, based on communications of UWB signals with at least one train-mounted unit deployed on the train, and the one or more wayside units are configured to generate, based on the ranging information, notifications relating to the train and/or the work zone.

Systems and methods are provided for decentralized rail signaling and positive train control. A decentralized train control system may include a plurality of wayside units, configured for placement on or near tracks in a railway network, and one or more train-mounted units, each configured for use in a train operating in a railway network that support use of the decentralized train control system. Each train-mounted unit may configured to receive communicate with any wayside unit and/or train-mounted unit that comes within range, with the communicating including use of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, and for generating control information based on the UWB signals, for use in controlling one or more functions associated with operation of the train.

Systems and methods are provided for decentralized rail signaling and positive train control. A decentralized train control system may include a plurality of wayside units, configured for placement on or near tracks in a railway network, and one or more train-mounted units, each configured for use in a train operating in a railway network that support use of the decentralized train control system. Each train-mounted unit may configured to receive communicate with any wayside unit and/or train-mounted unit that comes within range, with the communicating including use of ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, and for generating control information based on the UWB signals, for use in controlling one or more functions associated with operation of the train.

An oncoming train alarm assembly for a railroad track includes a housing that defines an interior space. The housing is positioned on a first side of a railroad track. A power module and a microprocessor are coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space. The microprocessor is operationally coupled to the power module. A transmitter and a speaker are coupled to the housing and operationally coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is positioned to command the transmitter to transmit a photoelectric beam. A receiver is positioned on a second side of the railroad track. The receiver is operationally coupled to the microprocessor and aligned with the transmitter. The receiver is positioned to detect the photoelectric beam and to signal the microprocessor in event of a blocking of the photoelectric beam, positioning the microprocessor to actuate the speaker to sound an alarm to warn persons of an oncoming train.

An oncoming train alarm assembly for a railroad track includes a housing that defines an interior space. The housing is positioned on a first side of a railroad track. A power module and a microprocessor are coupled to the housing and positioned in the interior space. The microprocessor is operationally coupled to the power module. A transmitter and a speaker are coupled to the housing and operationally coupled to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is positioned to command the transmitter to transmit a photoelectric beam. A receiver is positioned on a second side of the railroad track. The receiver is operationally coupled to the microprocessor and aligned with the transmitter. The receiver is positioned to detect the photoelectric beam and to signal the microprocessor in event of a blocking of the photoelectric beam, positioning the microprocessor to actuate the speaker to sound an alarm to warn persons of an oncoming train.