The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating a movement authority for a train, an ATP and a ZC. The method comprises: acquiring a first distance between a first train and a second train; acquiring, according to the speed information of the second train, a response time required by the second train for running across the first distance; acquiring, according to the speed information of the first train, a second distance across which the first train runs within the response time; and generating a movement authority for the second train according to the first distance, the second distance and a preset safety margin. When the movement authority for the second train is calculated, the actual movement state of the first train is considered, and the first train is no longer set as a stationary obstacle, so that the movement authority is prolonged, the tracking distance may be shortened, the operation efficiency of a line is improved, and the dispatching interval may be shortened to reduce the operation pressure at rush hours.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for generating a movement authority for a train, an ATP and a ZC. The method comprises: acquiring a first distance between a first train and a second train; acquiring, according to the speed information of the second train, a response time required by the second train for running across the first distance; acquiring, according to the speed information of the first train, a second distance across which the first train runs within the response time; and generating a movement authority for the second train according to the first distance, the second distance and a preset safety margin. When the movement authority for the second train is calculated, the actual movement state of the first train is considered, and the first train is no longer set as a stationary obstacle, so that the movement authority is prolonged, the tracking distance may be shortened, the operation efficiency of a line is improved, and the dispatching interval may be shortened to reduce the operation pressure at rush hours.

An independent cart system with safety functions that prevent unintended motion independently within different sections of the track while permitting motion along other sections of the track is disclosed. A safety controller receives one or more input signals corresponding to operating conditions along the track. A safety program executing in the safety controller monitors the state of the input signals to determine whether a safety function is to be executed. When a safety program is executed, the safety controller transmits an output signal to one or more segment controllers present in one section along the track. Each segment controller is responsible for regulating current flow to the coils mounted to the corresponding track segment. In response to the signal from the safety controller, each segment controller in the section controls the power output to the coils along that section of track to achieve the safe operation desired in that segment.

An independent cart system with safety functions that prevent unintended motion independently within different sections of the track while permitting motion along other sections of the track is disclosed. A safety controller receives one or more input signals corresponding to operating conditions along the track. A safety program executing in the safety controller monitors the state of the input signals to determine whether a safety function is to be executed. When a safety program is executed, the safety controller transmits an output signal to one or more segment controllers present in one section along the track. Each segment controller is responsible for regulating current flow to the coils mounted to the corresponding track segment. In response to the signal from the safety controller, each segment controller in the section controls the power output to the coils along that section of track to achieve the safe operation desired in that segment.

A system that includes a lead locomotive in communication with one or more remote vehicles, and the lead locomotive including one or more processors configured to execute program instructions to perform functions based on the program instructions. These functions include determining a first characteristic related to the lead locomotive or the one or more remote locomotives, receiving historical data related to the first characteristic, comparing the first characteristic to the historical data to determine a change in first characteristic value, and determining a second characteristic related to the lead locomotive or the one or more remote locomotives. In response to the change in first characteristic value exceeding a threshold percentage, the one or more processors ignore the change in first characteristic value exceeding the threshold percentage based on the second characteristic.

A system that includes a lead locomotive in communication with one or more remote vehicles, and the lead locomotive including one or more processors configured to execute program instructions to perform functions based on the program instructions. These functions include determining a first characteristic related to the lead locomotive or the one or more remote locomotives, receiving historical data related to the first characteristic, comparing the first characteristic to the historical data to determine a change in first characteristic value, and determining a second characteristic related to the lead locomotive or the one or more remote locomotives. In response to the change in first characteristic value exceeding a threshold percentage, the one or more processors ignore the change in first characteristic value exceeding the threshold percentage based on the second characteristic.

System and methods are provided for warning a worker of a rail vehicle, or an operator of the rail vehicle of the worker. The system includes a worker device, a vehicle device, and a central server. The devices and server operate on one or a combination of actual or simulated satellite navigational signals, and beacon signals to determine the position of the devices, to generate a warning. The position determination may prioritize beacon signals over satellite navigation signals. The position determination may involve correcting a calculated position based on a measured power level of the beacon signal received from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous beacon signal was last received by the device from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous satellite navigation signal was received by the device, or an accuracy of the position of the device based on the satellite navigation signal.

System and methods are provided for warning a worker of a rail vehicle, or an operator of the rail vehicle of the worker. The system includes a worker device, a vehicle device, and a central server. The devices and server operate on one or a combination of actual or simulated satellite navigational signals, and beacon signals to determine the position of the devices, to generate a warning. The position determination may prioritize beacon signals over satellite navigation signals. The position determination may involve correcting a calculated position based on a measured power level of the beacon signal received from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous beacon signal was last received by the device from the beacon transmitter, an elapsed time since a previous satellite navigation signal was received by the device, or an accuracy of the position of the device based on the satellite navigation signal.

Systems for examining a route inject one or more electrical examination signals into a conductive route from onboard a vehicle system traveling along the route, detect one or more electrical characteristics of the route based on the one or more electrical examination signals, and detect a break in conductivity of the route responsive to the one or more electrical characteristics decreasing by more than a designated drop threshold for a time period within a designated drop time period. Feature vectors may be determined for the electrical characteristics and compared to one or more patterns in order to distinguish between breaks in the conductivity of the route and other causes for changes in the electrical characteristics.

Systems for examining a route inject one or more electrical examination signals into a conductive route from onboard a vehicle system traveling along the route, detect one or more electrical characteristics of the route based on the one or more electrical examination signals, and detect a break in conductivity of the route responsive to the one or more electrical characteristics decreasing by more than a designated drop threshold for a time period within a designated drop time period. Feature vectors may be determined for the electrical characteristics and compared to one or more patterns in order to distinguish between breaks in the conductivity of the route and other causes for changes in the electrical characteristics.