A railroad crossing warning circuit includes a lamp and a signal generator for generating a first signal of a selected frequency. Divider circuitry divides the frequency of the signal to generate second signal at a flashing frequency. A switch responsive to the second signal controls current flow through the lamp and cause the lamp to flash at the flashing frequency.

A locomotive control method includes wirelessly communicating from at least one wireless transmitter positioned proximate a railroad crossing to a wireless locomotive receiver of a locomotive, either directly or indirectly via a wireless wayside transceiver, an indication if the railroad crossing is clear for passage of the locomotive through the railroad crossing, and receiving by the locomotive receiver the indication wirelessly communicated by the at least one portable transmitter. A locomotive controller or an operator of the locomotive can determine, based on the indication received by the locomotive receiver from the at least one portable transmitter, if it is safe for the locomotive to travel through the railroad crossing. The locomotive 4 can then be operated based on the determination.

A warning system comprising an advanced preemption system is provided to provide warning of an additional advanced preemption time directly from a wayside inspector to a city traffic controller to turn one or more traffic lights red on a route intersecting with the railroad crossing. The advanced preemption system includes a first set of wireless magnetometers to be installed on a railway track of the railroad crossing on a first side of the railroad crossing. The first set of wireless magnetometers to be located at an advanced preemption crossing start activation point that is being at a distance before an existing crossing start activation point of the railroad crossing to provide the warning of the additional advanced preemption time.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of audible alert systems. In exemplary embodiments, an audible alert system includes a speaker, an audio amplifier, and an audio file player. The audio amplifier and audio file player may be housed within an environmentally sealed enclosure, which provides protection from the environment. The audible alert system may be located on the front or back of a locomotive. For example, the speaker may be mounted to handrailing of the locomotive.

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein of audible alert systems. In exemplary embodiments, an audible alert system includes a speaker, an audio amplifier, and an audio file player. The audio amplifier and audio file player may be housed within an environmentally sealed enclosure, which provides protection from the environment. The audible alert system may be located on the front or back of a locomotive. For example, the speaker may be mounted to handrailing of the locomotive.

A system for selectively disabling highway crossing equipment includes a timer for controlling a maximum out of service time for the highway crossing equipment, a switch for controlling disablement of the highway crossing equipment, and control circuitry responsive to the timer and the switch. The control circuitry disables the highway crossing equipment in response to an input received from the switch before the maximum out of service time has been reached and re-enables the highway crossing equipment in response to a subsequent input from the switch received before the maximum out of service time has been reached. The control circuitry places the highway crossing equipment in a failsafe condition when the maximum out of service time has been reached without receiving the subsequent input from the switch.

A system for selectively disabling highway crossing equipment includes a timer for controlling a maximum out of service time for the highway crossing equipment, a switch for controlling disablement of the highway crossing equipment, and control circuitry responsive to the timer and the switch. The control circuitry disables the highway crossing equipment in response to an input received from the switch before the maximum out of service time has been reached and re-enables the highway crossing equipment in response to a subsequent input from the switch received before the maximum out of service time has been reached. The control circuitry places the highway crossing equipment in a failsafe condition when the maximum out of service time has been reached without receiving the subsequent input from the switch.

An advanced preemption system may comprise at least one motion detector and at least one advanced preemption processing system in communication with the at least one motion detector. The at least one motion detector may be configured to detect motion within at least one motion detection zone, the at least one motion detection zone containing a section of railroad track outside of a track circuit containing a railroad crossing where a thoroughfare crosses the railroad track. The at least one advanced preemption processing system may be configured to receive, from the at least one motion detector, an indication that motion has been detected within the at least one motion detection zone and activate at least one traffic control element for the thoroughfare before a train enters the track circuit.

A cover plate for a junction box may include a plate portion configured to cover an opening of the junction box. The cover plate may include a mast portion configured to couple with equipment configured to be mounted on a mast. The cover plate may include an offset portion coupling the mast portion with a front side of the plate portion.

A cover plate for a junction box may include a plate portion configured to cover an opening of the junction box. The cover plate may include a mast portion configured to couple with equipment configured to be mounted on a mast. The cover plate may include an offset portion coupling the mast portion with a front side of the plate portion.