A system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive crossing obstruction information from an optical sensor disposed proximate a crossing of a route traversed by a vehicle, with the crossing obstruction information indicating a presence of an obstruction to the crossing; obtain position information indicating a position of the vehicle traversing the route; determine proximity information of the vehicle indicating proximity of the vehicle to the crossing using the position information; determine a presence or absence of an alert state indicating a potential of the crossing being obstructed using the crossing obstruction information and the proximity information; and perform a responsive activity based responsive to a determination of the presence of the alert state.

The present invention relates to a moving block train operation control method and system based on train autonomous positioning, where the method is centered on a train-mounted device, autonomous positioning and integrity checking are implemented for the train-mounted device through satellites, and a movement authority and a target distance curve are calculated according to a real-time position, speed, and line state of a preceding train and in combination with train-to-train communication train safety protection technology, thereby achieving moving block. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the advantages that line use efficiency, system work efficiency and operation efficiency are improved, a quantity of railside devices is reduced, and system construction and maintenance costs are reduced.

An emergency action system for use with a railcar or locomotive is described herein. The emergency action system may include a transmitter and a locomotive transceiver located within a cabin of the locomotive. The locomotive transceiver may receive a signal sent from the transmitter and may further send an emergency stop signal to a set of brakes on the locomotive to stop. The emergency stop signal may cause air to be released from the brake pipe, thereby applying the brakes and bringing the train to an immediate stop. The emergency action system enables crew members to stop a train or railcar without communication to the locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized.

An emergency action system for use with a railcar or locomotive is described herein. The emergency action system may include a transmitter and a locomotive transceiver located within a cabin of the locomotive. The locomotive transceiver may receive a signal sent from the transmitter and may further send an emergency stop signal to a set of brakes on the locomotive to stop. The emergency stop signal may cause air to be released from the brake pipe, thereby applying the brakes and bringing the train to an immediate stop. The emergency action system enables crew members to stop a train or railcar without communication to the locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized.

The pulling device includes at least one motor; an epicyclic (or planetary) gear train comprising a first element, a second element, and a third element selected from an internal sun gear, an external ring gear, and a planet carrier, the first element being integrally secured in rotation with the output shaft of the motor, the second element being designed to drive an axle of the vehicle in rotation; the detection means detecting an anomaly with respect to the motor; the releasable locking means, that are capable of assuming a locking configuration locking the third element in rotation, and a release configuration for releasing the third element; and the control means command—controlling the maintaining of the locking means in the locking configuration when no anomaly is detected, and moving of the locking means into the release configuration when an anomaly is detected.

The pulling device includes at least one motor; an epicyclic (or planetary) gear train comprising a first element, a second element, and a third element selected from an internal sun gear, an external ring gear, and a planet carrier, the first element being integrally secured in rotation with the output shaft of the motor, the second element being designed to drive an axle of the vehicle in rotation; the detection means detecting an anomaly with respect to the motor; the releasable locking means, that are capable of assuming a locking configuration locking the third element in rotation, and a release configuration for releasing the third element; and the control means command—controlling the maintaining of the locking means in the locking configuration when no anomaly is detected, and moving of the locking means into the release configuration when an anomaly is detected.

An article transport facility includes a transport vehicle and a controller, and the transport vehicle includes: a drive unit; a speed detector configured to detect a traveling speed; and a distance detector configured to detect an inter-vehicle distance, which is a distance to another transport vehicle. The controller is configured to (i) refer to at least one target speed that is set in advance according to the inter-vehicle distance, and (ii) perform an inter-vehicle adjustment control to control the drive unit in such a manner as to cause the traveling speed to approach the at least one target speed, based on the traveling speed and the inter-vehicle distance, the at least one target speed includes an accelerating target speed and a decelerating target speed, and the accelerating target speed is lower than the decelerating target speed for each inter-vehicle distance.

An article transport facility includes a transport vehicle and a controller, and the transport vehicle includes: a drive unit; a speed detector configured to detect a traveling speed; and a distance detector configured to detect an inter-vehicle distance, which is a distance to another transport vehicle. The controller is configured to (i) refer to at least one target speed that is set in advance according to the inter-vehicle distance, and (ii) perform an inter-vehicle adjustment control to control the drive unit in such a manner as to cause the traveling speed to approach the at least one target speed, based on the traveling speed and the inter-vehicle distance, the at least one target speed includes an accelerating target speed and a decelerating target speed, and the accelerating target speed is lower than the decelerating target speed for each inter-vehicle distance.

A communication system for a guideway mounted vehicle includes a control system communication system configured to exchange information between the guideway mounted vehicle and an external control system. The communication system further includes a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured to exchange information between the guideway mounted vehicle and another vehicle along the guideway, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system is separate from the control system communication system, and the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system is configured to exchange information directly between the guideway mounted vehicle and the other vehicle. The communication system further includes a vital on-board controller (VOBC) configured to generate instructions for controlling the exchange of information between the guideway mounted vehicle and the control system through the control system communication system, and to generate instructions for controlling the exchange information between the guideway mounted vehicle and the other vehicle.

A communication system for a guideway mounted vehicle includes a control system communication system configured to exchange information between the guideway mounted vehicle and an external control system. The communication system further includes a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system configured to exchange information between the guideway mounted vehicle and another vehicle along the guideway, wherein the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system is separate from the control system communication system, and the vehicle-to-vehicle communication system is configured to exchange information directly between the guideway mounted vehicle and the other vehicle. The communication system further includes a vital on-board controller (VOBC) configured to generate instructions for controlling the exchange of information between the guideway mounted vehicle and the control system through the control system communication system, and to generate instructions for controlling the exchange information between the guideway mounted vehicle and the other vehicle.