In a method for traffic-dependent output of a control signal for at least one of a barrier and a traffic light signal at a grade crossing, a radar sensor device detects motions of traffic objects over a street traffic area of the grade crossing, a control signal is emitted to a control unit for the barrier and/or for the traffic light signal situated on the inflow side of the grade crossing, using a lead time before an expected time of arrival of a train at the grade crossing, and the lead time is determined with the aid of a curve over time of the detected motions of the traffic objects, the lead time for a slow-moving traffic being greater than for a more rapidly flowing, unimpeded traffic.

In a method for traffic-dependent output of a control signal for at least one of a barrier and a traffic light signal at a grade crossing, a radar sensor device detects motions of traffic objects over a street traffic area of the grade crossing, a control signal is emitted to a control unit for the barrier and/or for the traffic light signal situated on the inflow side of the grade crossing, using a lead time before an expected time of arrival of a train at the grade crossing, and the lead time is determined with the aid of a curve over time of the detected motions of the traffic objects, the lead time for a slow-moving traffic being greater than for a more rapidly flowing, unimpeded traffic.

A method for commanding a railway level crossing protection system comprising: a) activating a railway signal preventing a train from driving beyond a level crossing; b) detecting an incoming train approaching the level crossing and measuring a speed of said incoming train; c) calculating a waiting time, as a function of the train's measured speed; d) waiting until expiration of the calculated waiting time and, once said waiting time expires, sending an order to commute the protection system into the protected state; and e) querying the state of the protection system and if said protection system is found to have commuted into the protected state, deactivating said railway signal, and maintaining said railway signal in the activated state otherwise.

A train simulator test set is disclosed that can be operably coupled to a railroad track to measure the resting impedance of that track circuit and simulate a train by varying the railroad track inductance over a set period of time. The test set can select the speed, direction, and number of trains to simulate. By applying a variable inductance on the railroad tracks, the test set can simulate a train moving at variable speeds toward and away from the island. The test set can apply inductances to the railroad tracks to simulate two or more trains moving in each direction of the tracks at the same time, along with multiple looks and routes. The train simulator test set can include simulation software to vary the parameters of the train simulation and couple a variable inductance on the railroad tracks.

A system for simulating a railroad track. The system comprises one or more modular track simulation units that are smaller than conventional track simulators and are easy to use with and be connected to a device being tested (e.g., grade crossing predictor). Each track simulation unit may have one of a plurality of impedances associated with a corresponding railroad track length. The units are combinable such that the system can simulate multiple, different track lengths. Each unit has a plurality of test points that can be connected to the device under test and/or used to alter conditions of the simulated track.

A wireless terminal configured for use in a mobile vehicle comprises a transmitter (64), a receiver (66), and processor circuitry (42). The transmitter (64) is configured to transmit a series (50) of vehicle data messages (52) over a vehicle (V2X) communication radio interface (15). The receiver (66) is configured to receive a message (56) from a stationary infrastructure unit (36) over the vehicle (V2X) communication radio interface (15). The processor circuitry (42) is configured to: generate the vehicle data messages of the series (50); set a default transmission rate for transmission of at least some of the vehicle data messages of the series; make a determination regarding content of the message received from the stationary infrastructure unit (36); and thereafter in accordance with the determination, set a modified transmission rate for transmission of at least another vehicle data message of the series and thereby modify utilization of the vehicle (V2X) communication radio interface (15).

A crossing gate mechanism includes a gate mechanism enclosure, electrical components inside the gate mechanism enclosure, and a controller inside the gate mechanism enclosure. The controller is connected to and configured to monitor and/or control the electrical components. The controller includes an operator panel for receiving input from a user. In addition, the controller has a user interface displayed by the operator panel. The controller is operable to present information associated with the electrical components on the user interface.

A crossing gate mechanism includes a gate mechanism enclosure, electrical components inside the gate mechanism enclosure, and a controller inside the gate mechanism enclosure. The controller is connected to and configured to monitor and/or control the electrical components. The controller includes an operator panel for receiving input from a user. In addition, the controller has a user interface displayed by the operator panel. The controller is operable to present information associated with the electrical components on the user interface.

A crossing gate mechanism (300) with a PCB reconfigurable for exit and entrance gate mode, the mechanism including a brake and a brake relay (312) coupled to an electric motor (320), the mechanisms being configured to operate a crossing gate arm of a crossing gate. The mechanism includes a configuration logic circuit (310) connected to the brake relay (312), and a internal power source (316), wherein the configuration logic circuit (310) is configured to operate the brake relay (312) in a entrance gate mode or exit gate mode, wherein the control of the brake relay is inverted in the exit gate mode with respect to the entrance gate mode, and wherein, in the exit mode, the internal power source (316) provides power for operating the brake relay (312).

A crossing gate mechanism (300) with a PCB reconfigurable for exit and entrance gate mode, the mechanism including a brake and a brake relay (312) coupled to an electric motor (320), the mechanisms being configured to operate a crossing gate arm of a crossing gate. The mechanism includes a configuration logic circuit (310) connected to the brake relay (312), and a internal power source (316), wherein the configuration logic circuit (310) is configured to operate the brake relay (312) in a entrance gate mode or exit gate mode, wherein the control of the brake relay is inverted in the exit gate mode with respect to the entrance gate mode, and wherein, in the exit mode, the internal power source (316) provides power for operating the brake relay (312).