A crossing gate mechanism (300) includes a linkage (320) operably coupled to a crossing gate arm (310), wherein the crossing gate arm (310) is movable between a vertical position (VP) and a horizontal position (HP) via the linkage (320), wherein the linkage (320) is in a first position when the crossing gate arm (310) is in the vertical position (VP) and in a second position when the crossing gate arm (310) is in the horizontal position (HP), and wherein the linkage (320) in the second position mechanically locks the crossing gate arm (310) in the horizontal position (HP).

An automated counterbalance system includes a crossing gate mechanism with an electric motor, a sensing device and a motor control unit, a crossing gate with a crossing gate arm and one or more counterweights, wherein the crossing gate arm is operated by the crossing gate mechanism, wherein the at least one sensing device is configured to monitor an electrical characteristic of the electric motor, and wherein the motor control unit comprises at least one processor and is configured to determine a counterbalance of the crossing gate based on the electrical characteristic of the electric motor and a movement of the crossing gate arm.

An automated counterbalance system includes a crossing gate mechanism with an electric motor, a sensing device and a motor control unit, a crossing gate with a crossing gate arm and one or more counterweights, wherein the crossing gate arm is operated by the crossing gate mechanism, wherein the at least one sensing device is configured to monitor an electrical characteristic of the electric motor, and wherein the motor control unit comprises at least one processor and is configured to determine a counterbalance of the crossing gate based on the electrical characteristic of the electric motor and a movement of the crossing gate arm.

A crossing gate mechanism includes an electric brushless direct current (BLDC) motor with a sensing device, a crossing gate arm operated via the BLDC motor, a motor brake coupled to the BLDC motor, wherein the motor brake is configured to hold the crossing gate arm in a position, and a controller configured to control the BLDC motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the BLDC motor to raise or lower the crossing gate arm in response to a gate control signal, and wherein, when the motor brake fails to hold the crossing gate arm in the position, the controller is configured to control the BLDC motor to hold the crossing gate arm in the position instead of the motor brake.

A crossing gate mechanism includes an electric brushless direct current (BLDC) motor with a sensing device, a crossing gate arm operated via the BLDC motor, a motor brake coupled to the BLDC motor, wherein the motor brake is configured to hold the crossing gate arm in a position, and a controller configured to control the BLDC motor, wherein the controller is configured to control the BLDC motor to raise or lower the crossing gate arm in response to a gate control signal, and wherein, when the motor brake fails to hold the crossing gate arm in the position, the controller is configured to control the BLDC motor to hold the crossing gate arm in the position instead of the motor brake.