A system includes a safety mode activation device disposed onboard a vehicle system and operatively connected to a controller of the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is configured to receive a status signal indicating a presence of one or more of an operator or an active work marker in a location proximate to the vehicle system. The safety mode activation device is further configured to transmit a lockout signal to the controller to prevent movement of the vehicle system along a route responsive to receiving the status signal.

Systems and methods are disclosed for reliable detection of oncoming trains and for warning roadway personnel working on the railroad track of the oncoming train. A train detection system includes a wireless communication network further including train detection modules attached to catenary poles along the sides of the railroad track. Each train detection module is equipped with at least two diverse sensors configured to detect trains and other on-track vehicles. Each train detection sensor is simultaneously active and works with other train detection sensors to detect an approaching train and generate train alerts. The train alerts are transmitted wirelessly over the wireless communication network by the train detection modules. The system transmits train alerts to personal alert devices worn by roadway workers. The personal alert device forms an ad-hoc wireless network with the train detection modules.

Systems and methods are disclosed for reliable detection of oncoming trains and for warning roadway personnel working on the railroad track of the oncoming train. A train detection system includes a wireless communication network further including train detection modules attached to catenary poles along the sides of the railroad track. Each train detection module is equipped with at least two diverse sensors configured to detect trains and other on-track vehicles. Each train detection sensor is simultaneously active and works with other train detection sensors to detect an approaching train and generate train alerts. The train alerts are transmitted wirelessly over the wireless communication network by the train detection modules. The system transmits train alerts to personal alert devices worn by roadway workers. The personal alert device forms an ad-hoc wireless network with the train detection modules.

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.

A system and device that will notify roadway maintenance workers of an approaching mass transit vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of mass transit vehicles of roadway maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track.

A system and device that will notify roadway maintenance workers of an approaching mass transit vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of mass transit vehicles of roadway maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track.

System and methods are disclosed to promote safe shoving movements of a train based on train position localization without human-based track operations monitoring. Train position detectors deployed at the end of a track, in parallel to the track, between the rails of the track, or a combination thereof, localize an end-of-train during shoving movements. Each train position detector transmits an early warning alert to an onboard alert device and a handheld alert device for indicating the end of the train is about to enter a pre-configured prohibited zone. The locomotive operator receives the alert on the onboard alert device while workers in the railyard receive the alert on the handheld alert devices. Both onboard and handheld alert devices are capable of generating audio, visual, haptic, or a combination of these warning alerts for the locomotive operator and the workers in the railyard.

System and methods are disclosed to promote safe shoving movements of a train based on train position localization without human-based track operations monitoring. Train position detectors deployed at the end of a track, in parallel to the track, between the rails of the track, or a combination thereof, localize an end-of-train during shoving movements. Each train position detector transmits an early warning alert to an onboard alert device and a handheld alert device for indicating the end of the train is about to enter a pre-configured prohibited zone. The locomotive operator receives the alert on the onboard alert device while workers in the railyard receive the alert on the handheld alert devices. Both onboard and handheld alert devices are capable of generating audio, visual, haptic, or a combination of these warning alerts for the locomotive operator and the workers in the railyard.

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.