Disclosed are a method and device for detecting a direction of motion of a wheel on a rail track. The device includes at least one magnet for providing a magnetic field; a magnetic field sensor for sensing a magnetic field value indicative for a flux density, or a change in the flux density of the provided magnetic field; and at least one processor in communication with the magnetic field sensor. The at least one processor is configured to: obtain a plurality of the magnetic field values for respective times from the magnetic field sensor; and to analyse the obtained plurality of magnetic field values such that a direction of motion of a wheel passing the device is obtained.

An evaluation unit 10 for a sensor arrangement for railway monitoring is described, the evaluation unit 10 comprising a connection to a position sensor 11 and a connection to a tracking sensor 12. The position sensor 11 is capable of detecting rail vehicles 19 passing over the position of the position sensor 11 on a railway track 14 and provides a position output signal 15. The tracking sensor 12 comprises a fibre optic sensor 16, which is capable of detecting the position of noise along the railway track 14 and the tracking sensor 12 provides a tracking output signal 18. The evaluation unit 10 provides an output signal 13 that depends on the position output signal 15 and the tracking output signal 18. Further, a sensor arrangement for railway monitoring and a method for evaluation of railway monitoring signals are described.

A train positioning method based on a dynamic map includes: performing train positioning initialization based on a positioning source, and obtaining key point information for creating the dynamic map; generating key point coordinates according to the key point information, and creating the dynamic map; updating a train position on the dynamic map according to train displacement and beacon information; updating the dynamic map, and updating the train position based on the updated dynamic map; and, converting an updated train position in the updated dynamic map into a standard track map, to achieve train positioning. A plurality of initialized positioning sources are used to obtain initialization positioning information of train key points, and creation of a dynamic map is completed.

Systems and devices that will notify train system maintenance workers of an approaching vehicle and, conversely, will notify the operators and administrators of train systems of train system maintenance workers within the vicinity of an approaching section of track. Embodiments of the safety systems and methods disclosed herein may use track and direction information and/or LiDAR to assist in determining vehicle positioning and/or speed particularly where there are two or more possible tracks or vehicle paths in close proximity to each other.

In a method for calculating, by an estimator, an instantaneous velocity vector {right arrow over (V.sub.u)} of a rail vehicle, the estimator receives measurements from an inertial unit at a fixed point in the vehicle body and determines a mathematical model M of the dynamics of the vehicle moving on a track, the model being dependent on the bias of the inertial unit and installation parameters, a virtual sensor is determined based on the model M, the virtual sensor enabling calculation, from model parameters, two theoretical transverse velocities v.sub.y.sub.c, and v.sub.z.sub.c along axes y.sub.c and z.sub.c, respectively. An iterative estimator calculates {right arrow over (V.sub.u)}, and includes the virtual sensor, the estimator being configured so the two theoretical transverse velocities are zero regardless of the rail configurations, the estimator enabling correction of the biases of the inertial unit and estimate installation parameters. Auxiliary velocity or distance travelled sensors are not used to calculate {right arrow over (V.sub.u)}.

A system includes at least one application device, a control unit, and at least one processor. The at least one application device is conductively or inductively coupled with at least one of a first conductive track or a second conductive track. The control unit is configured to control supply of electric current from a power source to the at least one application device to electrically inject at least one examination signal into the conductive tracks. The at least one processor is configured to monitor the one or more electrical characteristics of at least one of the first or second conductive tracks, and to identify a construction feature of the route based on the one or more electrical characteristics, wherein the construction feature corresponds to a man-made aspect of the route.

A system and method for determining a direction of travel of a vehicle and/or identifying a misplaced wayside device obtain location data from wayside devices. The location data are representative of locations of the wayside devices along a route being traveled by a vehicle. The system and method also determine whether the location data in a series of the wayside devices exhibit an increase or a decrease in the location data across the wayside devices in the series and, responsive to determining whether the location data in the series of the wayside devices does exhibit the increase or the decrease in the location data, the system and method determine a direction of travel of the vehicle along the route, determine a location of the vehicle along the route, and/or identify a misplaced wayside device.

Systems and methods for detecting train direction and route along a railroad track. The systems and methods use wireless train presence detection sensors such as e.g., magnetometer sensors to detect the presence of the train, and its direction and route along the track.

The present application involves a railroad track inspection system comprising a plurality of track scanning sensors, a data store, and a scan data processor. The data store is used for storing track scan data recorded by the track scanning sensors. The scan data processor is used for automatic analysis of the track scan data upon receipt thereof to detect one or more track components within the scan data from a predetermined list of component types according to one or more features identified in said scan data. The system comprises a common support structure to which the track scanning sensors, the data store and scan data processor are attached, the common support structure having a mounting for attachment of the system to a railway vehicle in use.

A navigation system for a train having at least one locomotive or control car and, optionally, at least one railroad car, operating in a track network, wherein an on-board computer determines or receives location data and communicates or causes the communication of the location data and/or railway data to another locomotive or control car, another train, a remote server, or the like. A train navigation method is also provided.