A method for securing a level crossing permits timely securing of the level crossing and is particularly effective and reliable. The method proceeds in such a way that vehicle data are received from a track-bound vehicle approaching the level crossing by a stationary control device of a train control system. The vehicle data include at least the current position and the current speed of the track-bound vehicle. A strike-in point is determined on the basis of the received vehicle data and route data including at least the location of the level crossing. Securing of the level crossing is triggered when the strike-in point is reached. A stationary control device for a train control system and an arrangement having such a stationary control device are also provided.

Systems and methods are provided for ultra-wideband (UWB) based rail line sensing and safety.

Systems and methods are provided for ultra-wideband (UWB) based rail line sensing and safety.

A vehicle advisory system and method determine whether a vehicle system moving along a route is within a designated distance of a feature of interest, initiate a distance-based alert sequence of an advisory device of the vehicle system in response to determining that the vehicle system is at or within the designated distance of the feature of interest, and generate advisory signals using the advisory device according to the distance-based alert sequence. The advisory signals are indicative of passage of the vehicle system by the feature of interest during the distance-based alert sequence. The distance-based alert sequence dictates one or more of plural different commencement locations or commencement distances at which advisory signals are generated by the advisory device. The distance-based alert sequence also dictates one or more of plural different termination locations or termination distances where generation of the advisory signals by the advisory device is terminated.

A vehicle advisory system and method determine whether a vehicle system moving along a route is within a designated distance of a feature of interest, initiate a distance-based alert sequence of an advisory device of the vehicle system in response to determining that the vehicle system is at or within the designated distance of the feature of interest, and generate advisory signals using the advisory device according to the distance-based alert sequence. The advisory signals are indicative of passage of the vehicle system by the feature of interest during the distance-based alert sequence. The distance-based alert sequence dictates one or more of plural different commencement locations or commencement distances at which advisory signals are generated by the advisory device. The distance-based alert sequence also dictates one or more of plural different termination locations or termination distances where generation of the advisory signals by the advisory device is terminated.

A grade crossing control system includes a controller that receives start and end inputs corresponding to a train traversing an outer approach, determines the difference in time between the start and end inputs, and uses the difference in time to determine a delay period by which activation of a grade crossing warning system will be delayed following detection of the train by a track occupancy circuit in an inner approach in order to compensate for slow moving trains. The start and end inputs for the outer approach may be supplied in different ways including a separate track occupancy circuit for the outer approach, by train detection devices unconnected to the track at the start and end of the outer approach, or by overlapping track occupancy circuits positioned at the start of the outer and inner approaches.

A grade crossing control system includes a controller that receives start and end inputs corresponding to a train traversing an outer approach, determines the difference in time between the start and end inputs, and uses the difference in time to determine a delay period by which activation of a grade crossing warning system will be delayed following detection of the train by a track occupancy circuit in an inner approach in order to compensate for slow moving trains. The start and end inputs for the outer approach may be supplied in different ways including a separate track occupancy circuit for the outer approach, by train detection devices unconnected to the track at the start and end of the outer approach, or by overlapping track occupancy circuits positioned at the start of the outer and inner approaches.

A lamp system (200) includes a lamp assembly (210, 215) with a light source (212) coupled to a base (214), an electronic circuit (216) for operating the light source (212), and a switching device (218) for setting a flash rate of the light source (212). A lamp communication device (250) configured to transmit control signals to the lamp assembly (210). A communication network (260) interfaces with the lamp assembly (210) and the lamp communication device (250). The electronic circuit (216) is configured to operate the light source (212) in response to a control signal (262) transmitted by the lamp communication device (250) via the communication network (260), and in accordance with a set flash rate so that the light source (212) switches between an on state and an off state by default.

A method secures a railroad crossing which allows a timely securing of the railroad crossing, and is particularly efficient and reliable. The method proceeds in such a way that sensor data relating to a rail-borne vehicle approaching the railroad crossing are detected by a track-side sensor device. The sensor data contains at least the current speed of the rail-borne vehicle. The detected sensor data are transmitted by the track-side sensor device to a stationary control device. A switch-on time is determined by the stationary control device taking into account the transmitted sensor data and route data. Upon reaching the switch-on time, the securing of the railroad crossing is initiated by the stationary control device. After the railroad crossing has been successfully secured, a travel permission that extends beyond the railroad crossing is determined by a control device of a train control system, and is transmitted to the rail-borne vehicle.

A method secures a railroad crossing which allows a timely securing of the railroad crossing, and is particularly efficient and reliable. The method proceeds in such a way that sensor data relating to a rail-borne vehicle approaching the railroad crossing are detected by a track-side sensor device. The sensor data contains at least the current speed of the rail-borne vehicle. The detected sensor data are transmitted by the track-side sensor device to a stationary control device. A switch-on time is determined by the stationary control device taking into account the transmitted sensor data and route data. Upon reaching the switch-on time, the securing of the railroad crossing is initiated by the stationary control device. After the railroad crossing has been successfully secured, a travel permission that extends beyond the railroad crossing is determined by a control device of a train control system, and is transmitted to the rail-borne vehicle.