To provide a wireless train control system that can perform a stable operation. The wireless train control system controls a wireless-control compliant train following a wireless-control noncompliant train by a ground control device. A stop limit point of the wireless-control compliant train is set by a track circuit in which a tail end position of the wireless-control noncompliant train is present. By using a track-circuit state signal indicating that the track circuit is turned on or turned off and a time-element-added track-circuit state signal indicating turn-off at a timing delayed by a set time after the track-circuit state signal has indicated turn-off, when the track-circuit state signal indicates turn-off and the time-element-added track-circuit state signal indicates turn-on, it is determined that turn-off indicated by the track-circuit state signal is caused by the wireless-control compliant train that is a train itself being present, and the stop limit point is not updated.

To provide a wireless train control system that can perform a stable operation. The wireless train control system controls a wireless-control compliant train following a wireless-control noncompliant train by a ground control device. A stop limit point of the wireless-control compliant train is set by a track circuit in which a tail end position of the wireless-control noncompliant train is present. By using a track-circuit state signal indicating that the track circuit is turned on or turned off and a time-element-added track-circuit state signal indicating turn-off at a timing delayed by a set time after the track-circuit state signal has indicated turn-off, when the track-circuit state signal indicates turn-off and the time-element-added track-circuit state signal indicates turn-on, it is determined that turn-off indicated by the track-circuit state signal is caused by the wireless-control compliant train that is a train itself being present, and the stop limit point is not updated.

A system and method for virtual block stick circuits is presented. The present disclosure implements specialized algorithms adapted to determine the true status of a virtual block based on multiple inputs from different perspectives. In one embodiment, the system can use the far house perspective of that virtual track segment and the PTC hazard for the near virtual track segment directly adjacent to the near house uses the near house perspective of that virtual track segment. For the middle virtual track segments, the near house perspectives of the middle virtual track segments are held TRUE if they are already TRUE when the train first enters the block, using stick circuits for the near house perspective of the middle track circuits. The vital application can then indicate the true state of the virtual track segment as occupied (FALSE), to protect the train from trains that follow.

A train control unit may comprise a probe attached to a first rail of a track way, and a sensor device attached to a second rail of the track way configured to determine the position of the probe, whereby the position of the first rail relative to the second rail may be determined. The train control unit is preferably independent of equipment controlling the position of the first and second rails. Some embodiments of the train control unit may be employed as a track monitor, a switch monitor and/or a wayside monitor.

A train control unit may comprise a probe attached to a first rail of a track way, and a sensor device attached to a second rail of the track way configured to determine the position of the probe, whereby the position of the first rail relative to the second rail may be determined. The train control unit is preferably independent of equipment controlling the position of the first and second rails. Some embodiments of the train control unit may be employed as a track monitor, a switch monitor and/or a wayside monitor.

A positive train control system and method may comprise one or more switch monitors and/or one or more track monitors providing sensor data relative to one or more switches and/or one or more tracks, respectively, determining whether there is an anomaly of a switch or track, and when there is, providing a message, alert and/or warning, and/or initiating a train control action. Determination of an anomaly may be preformed on a train or at a remote location, e.g., a central facility.

A positive train control system and method may comprise one or more switch monitors and/or one or more track monitors providing sensor data relative to one or more switches and/or one or more tracks, respectively, determining whether there is an anomaly of a switch or track, and when there is, providing a message, alert and/or warning, and/or initiating a train control action. Determination of an anomaly may be preformed on a train or at a remote location, e.g., a central facility.

A supplemental shunting device indicator (SSDI) for use with respect to a shunting device for a railroad. The SSDI comprises a housing. The housing comprises a light, a clamp for surrounding at least a portion of the shunting device, a power supply, and a current-sensing switch configured to electrically connect the power supply and the light in response to detection of a current.

A supplemental shunting device indicator (SSDI) for use with respect to a shunting device for a railroad. The SSDI comprises a housing. The housing comprises a light, a clamp for surrounding at least a portion of the shunting device, a power supply, and a current-sensing switch configured to electrically connect the power supply and the light in response to detection of a current.

The present disclosure generally relates to shunt devices for providing multi-fold protection for track workers. For example, a failsafe shunt device may have a pair of end components magnetically couple to two running rails and a central unit connected to the pair of end components via electrical wires. The failsafe shunt device may communicate with an operations control center (OCC) to indicate a presence of the shunt device. Related methods of using disclosed shunt devices and associated systems are also described.