A train detection system for a railway track defines a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. Two cameras are arranged along the railway track spaced apart from each other. Each camera is placed on either the first lateral side or the second lateral side. The system includes at least one passive target. Each of the passive targets is placed within the field of view of at least one of the cameras and on the opposite lateral side of the railway track with respect to the at least one of the cameras in whose field of view the respective passive target is placed. The system also includes at least one controller adapted to recognise the passive target in the images provided by at least one of the cameras to the controller to determine whether a train is located on the railway track.

A railroad system including a wayside inspector system responsive to data originated from a real-time train tracking system, such as GPS or PTC is provided. The data from the real-time train tracking system includes data indicative of a respective train en route to a respective crossing. The data is further indicative of a respective direction of travel on a respective railway track of the respective train en route to the respective crossing. Disclosed embodiments offer a technical solution involving no physical sensing devices on the railway tracks for detection of the respective train en route to the respective crossing. This solution is effective for automated testing and reporting of timely activation of crossing warning equipment based on the data originated from the real-time train tracking system.

A railroad system including a wayside inspector system responsive to data originated from a real-time train tracking system, such as GPS or PTC is provided. The data from the real-time train tracking system includes data indicative of a respective train en route to a respective crossing. The data is further indicative of a respective direction of travel on a respective railway track of the respective train en route to the respective crossing. Disclosed embodiments offer a technical solution involving no physical sensing devices on the railway tracks for detection of the respective train en route to the respective crossing. This solution is effective for automated testing and reporting of timely activation of crossing warning equipment based on the data originated from the real-time train tracking system.

A system can include a signal light for regulating traffic, a controller, a first communication module configured to electronically communicate with the controller, a memory and two or more position sensors coupled to the signal light is disclosed. The two or more position sensors comprise at least a first position sensor configured to detect a first position of the signal light according to a first measurable criteria and a second position sensor configured to detect a second position of the signal light according to a second measurable criteria. The memory configured to selectively store as a reference, desired position data. The controller can be configured to electronically communicate with the two or more position sensors to receive an updated data regarding the first position and the second position and is configured to compare the updated data to the desired position data.

A system can include a signal light for regulating traffic, a controller, a first communication module configured to electronically communicate with the controller, a memory and two or more position sensors coupled to the signal light is disclosed. The two or more position sensors comprise at least a first position sensor configured to detect a first position of the signal light according to a first measurable criteria and a second position sensor configured to detect a second position of the signal light according to a second measurable criteria. The memory configured to selectively store as a reference, desired position data. The controller can be configured to electronically communicate with the two or more position sensors to receive an updated data regarding the first position and the second position and is configured to compare the updated data to the desired position data.

A railroad crossing light detector system is disclosed. The system includes determining a first signal indicative of the amount of light emitted from an illuminated railroad crossing light source and determining a second signal indicative of the orientation of the crossing light. The first and second signals are transmitted to a signal determination module that compares the first and second signals to predetermined stored values. The compared signals are then provided to a railroad crossing controller for relaying to a central/remote monitoring location. In the event that at least one of the signals is out of range relative to the stored value, then an inspection request signal together with information on the location of the crossing light is provided to the central monitoring location. In this manner, the number of in-person inspections to the crossing light may be significantly reduced.

A railroad crossing light detector system is disclosed. The system includes determining a first signal indicative of the amount of light emitted from an illuminated railroad crossing light source and determining a second signal indicative of the orientation of the crossing light. The first and second signals are transmitted to a signal determination module that compares the first and second signals to predetermined stored values. The compared signals are then provided to a railroad crossing controller for relaying to a central/remote monitoring location. In the event that at least one of the signals is out of range relative to the stored value, then an inspection request signal together with information on the location of the crossing light is provided to the central monitoring location. In this manner, the number of in-person inspections to the crossing light may be significantly reduced.

A Wireless Slide Fence utilizing signal reflection technology to detect rockslides and can determine the size and location of fallen rocks/objects impeding travel along a train track is presented. The present disclosure solves the technological problem of determining rock size and location to validate rockslide/fall alarms to reduce false alarms, while minimizing repairs required by conventional systems through the use of obstacle detection units and vital logic controllers. The present disclosure improves the performance of the system by, generating validated alarms when fallen rocks/objects satisfy the size criteria and are located in an area hazardous to train operations. In one exemplary embodiment, a loitering time can be implemented to validate object detections to reduce false positives due to transient objects such as migrating animals.

Systems and methods are disclosed including a system that can include a traffic gate, an electronic circuit and a portable controller. The traffic gate can have an arm. The electronic circuit can have a controller, a first communication module, and one or more light sources configured to mount to the arm or other portions of the traffic gate. The controller can be configured to control the electronic circuit to selectively operate the one or light sources as desired. The portable controller can have a second communication module configured to communicate with the first communication module to actuate the controller to control of the electronic circuit.

Systems and methods are disclosed including a system that can include a traffic gate, an electronic circuit and a portable controller. The traffic gate can have an arm. The electronic circuit can have a controller, a first communication module, and one or more light sources configured to mount to the arm or other portions of the traffic gate. The controller can be configured to control the electronic circuit to selectively operate the one or light sources as desired. The portable controller can have a second communication module configured to communicate with the first communication module to actuate the controller to control of the electronic circuit.