System and methods for determining train direction and speed using laser measurements. The speed and direction determinations can be used to monitor, diagnose, and/or report the operational performance of a crossing warning system.

A system for selectively disabling highway crossing equipment includes a timer for controlling a maximum out of service time for the highway crossing equipment, a switch for controlling disablement of the highway crossing equipment, and control circuitry responsive to the timer and the switch. The control circuitry disables the highway crossing equipment in response to an input received from the switch before the maximum out of service time has been reached and re-enables the highway crossing equipment in response to a subsequent input from the switch received before the maximum out of service time has been reached. The control circuitry places the highway crossing equipment in a failsafe condition when the maximum out of service time has been reached without receiving the subsequent input from the switch.

A system for selectively disabling highway crossing equipment includes a timer for controlling a maximum out of service time for the highway crossing equipment, a switch for controlling disablement of the highway crossing equipment, and control circuitry responsive to the timer and the switch. The control circuitry disables the highway crossing equipment in response to an input received from the switch before the maximum out of service time has been reached and re-enables the highway crossing equipment in response to a subsequent input from the switch received before the maximum out of service time has been reached. The control circuitry places the highway crossing equipment in a failsafe condition when the maximum out of service time has been reached without receiving the subsequent input from the switch.

An advanced preemption system may comprise at least one motion detector and at least one advanced preemption processing system in communication with the at least one motion detector. The at least one motion detector may be configured to detect motion within at least one motion detection zone, the at least one motion detection zone containing a section of railroad track outside of a track circuit containing a railroad crossing where a thoroughfare crosses the railroad track. The at least one advanced preemption processing system may be configured to receive, from the at least one motion detector, an indication that motion has been detected within the at least one motion detection zone and activate at least one traffic control element for the thoroughfare before a train enters the track circuit.

An advanced preemption system may comprise at least one motion detector and at least one advanced preemption processing system in communication with the at least one motion detector. The at least one motion detector may be configured to detect motion within at least one motion detection zone, the at least one motion detection zone containing a section of railroad track outside of a track circuit containing a railroad crossing where a thoroughfare crosses the railroad track. The at least one advanced preemption processing system may be configured to receive, from the at least one motion detector, an indication that motion has been detected within the at least one motion detection zone and activate at least one traffic control element for the thoroughfare before a train enters the track circuit.

A system that automatically communicates the event or potential event of a blocked railroad grade crossing to various users, including but not limited to emergency dispatchers and drivers, news media, traffic management systems, and the general public, specifically the location, time, and duration of the event or potential event. The system applies multiple technologies to detect the presence of activity on a rail line, transmits this detection data to a database, performs various analyses on the data, and communicates the status of grade crossings (blocked, potentially blocked, upcoming blockage, or clear) to assist various users with information to make more informed decisions.

A system that automatically communicates the event or potential event of a blocked railroad grade crossing to various users, including but not limited to emergency dispatchers and drivers, news media, traffic management systems, and the general public, specifically the location, time, and duration of the event or potential event. The system applies multiple technologies to detect the presence of activity on a rail line, transmits this detection data to a database, performs various analyses on the data, and communicates the status of grade crossings (blocked, potentially blocked, upcoming blockage, or clear) to assist various users with information to make more informed decisions.

A system (e.g., a target activation system for a transportation network) includes one or more processors configured to be operably coupled onboard a vehicle system having one or more vehicles. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle system at a first target location associated with a forward route of the vehicle system, determine a gap time between when the vehicle system leaves the first target location and is estimated to arrive at a second target location, and, based at least in part on the estimated time of arrival, a dwell time of the vehicle system at the first target location, the gap time, an allowable speed or acceleration of the vehicle system, and a designated warning time, generate an activation message configured to control at least one device associated with the second target location.

Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.

Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.