A crossing gate mechanism comprises an electric brushless direct current (BLDC) motor which has at least one internal sensing device that is used as a closed feedback loop to determine a position of the BLDC motor and accurately control a speed of the BLDC motor, a crossing gate arm operated via the BLDC motor and a digital control system configured to control operation of the BLDC motor, wherein the digital control system is configured to provide a motor control signal that results in a soft start motion and a soft stop motion of the crossing gate arm. The BLDC motor is controlled by a state-machine logic stored within a Field-Programmable Gate Array/a central processing unit such that the state-machine logic finely controls an acceleration and a deceleration of the BLDC motor that provides a relatively smooth operation of the crossing gate arm when it reaches both horizontal and vertical positions.

A crossing gate mechanism comprises an electric brushless direct current (BLDC) motor which has at least one internal sensing device that is used as a closed feedback loop to determine a position of the BLDC motor and accurately control a speed of the BLDC motor, a crossing gate arm operated via the BLDC motor and a digital control system configured to control operation of the BLDC motor, wherein the digital control system is configured to provide a motor control signal that results in a soft start motion and a soft stop motion of the crossing gate arm. The BLDC motor is controlled by a state-machine logic stored within a Field-Programmable Gate Array/a central processing unit such that the state-machine logic finely controls an acceleration and a deceleration of the BLDC motor that provides a relatively smooth operation of the crossing gate arm when it reaches both horizontal and vertical positions.

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 method for the remote activation of railroad crossing signals includes determining a physical location of a client system. The method further includes determining, from a plurality of records of railroad crossing signals, an eligible railroad crossing signal that is within a predetermined distance of the physical location of the client system. The method further includes sending identification information about the eligible railroad crossing signal to the client system. The method further includes receiving, from the client system, an indication of a user selection to activate the eligible railroad crossing signal. The method further includes sending an activation signal to the eligible railroad crossing signal in response to receiving the indication of the user selection to activate the eligible railroad crossing signal.

A method for the remote activation of railroad crossing signals includes determining a physical location of a client system. The method further includes determining, from a plurality of records of railroad crossing signals, an eligible railroad crossing signal that is within a predetermined distance of the physical location of the client system. The method further includes sending identification information about the eligible railroad crossing signal to the client system. The method further includes receiving, from the client system, an indication of a user selection to activate the eligible railroad crossing signal. The method further includes sending an activation signal to the eligible railroad crossing signal in response to receiving the indication of the user selection to activate the eligible railroad crossing signal.

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).

A crossing gate mechanism includes an enclosure housing multiple electric and electronic components including a control unit for operating the crossing gate mechanism and associated crossing gate arm, a cover for opening and closing the enclosure, wherein the cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position, an operating mode switch, wherein a first position of the operating mode switch is associated with a normal operating mode and a second position of the operating mode switch is associated with a maintenance mode, and a status alarm circuit, wherein the status alarm circuit for issuing an alarm when the operating mode switch is in the second position associated with the maintenance mode and the cover is in or moved into the closed position.

A crossing gate mechanism includes an enclosure housing multiple electric and electronic components including a control unit for operating the crossing gate mechanism and associated crossing gate arm, a cover for opening and closing the enclosure, wherein the cover is moveable between a closed position and an open position, an operating mode switch, wherein a first position of the operating mode switch is associated with a normal operating mode and a second position of the operating mode switch is associated with a maintenance mode, and a status alarm circuit, wherein the status alarm circuit for issuing an alarm when the operating mode switch is in the second position associated with the maintenance mode and the cover is in or moved into the closed position.

A grade crossing control system (400, 600) includes a track circuit with a grade crossing predictor (GCP) system (40), and at least one auxiliary shunting device (420, 430) connected to the rails (20a, 20b) of the railroad track (20), wherein a railroad vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20) causes a change of impedance when entering the track circuit, wherein the at least one auxiliary shunting device (420, 430) detects a presence of the railroad vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20) and generates an auxiliary change of the impedance of the track circuit, and wherein the GCP system (40) generates grade crossing activation signals in response to the change of the impedance or the auxiliary change of the impedance of the track circuit. The auxiliary shunting device is provided to improve reliability in case of poor shunting. In a first implementation the auxiliary shunting device is an additional shunt (428) between rails and within the approaching distance (AL), wherein the shunt is switched on by a separate vehicle detector (422). In a second implementation the termination shunt (SI) is switched off by a vehicle detector (422) before the approaching distance (AL).