A railroad crossing control system includes a grade crossing predictor system or grade crossing motion system with a combined crossing termination shunt, the combined crossing termination shunt including a housing, a first printed circuit board (PCB) comprising first circuitry and first rail terminals, a second printed circuit board (PCB) comprising second circuitry and second rail terminals, wherein the first PCB and the second PCB are positioned inside the housing, and wherein the first circuitry and the second circuitry are configured for a same frequency.

A surge suppression circuit for a track circuit is provided. The surge suppression circuit comprises a first surge protection device including a first pair of silicon avalanche diodes and a second surge protection device including a second pair of silicon avalanche diodes. The first surge protection device is connected on a first connection line between a first terminal of a railroad signaling electronic equipment to be protected from a surge and a first terminal of a first rail of two physical rails. The second surge protection device is connected on a second connection line between a second terminal of the railroad signaling electronic equipment and a second terminal of a second rail of the two physical rails. The first surge protection device and the second surge protection device are connected to an earth ground terminal.

A surge suppression circuit for a track circuit is provided. The surge suppression circuit comprises a first surge protection device including a first pair of silicon avalanche diodes and a second surge protection device including a second pair of silicon avalanche diodes. The first surge protection device is connected on a first connection line between a first terminal of a railroad signaling electronic equipment to be protected from a surge and a first terminal of a first rail of two physical rails. The second surge protection device is connected on a second connection line between a second terminal of the railroad signaling electronic equipment and a second terminal of a second rail of the two physical rails. The first surge protection device and the second surge protection device are connected to an earth ground terminal.

A backup power railroad crossing notification system for a railroad crossing mechanism. The system includes a stationary audible device carried within a railroad housing proximate to a railroad crossing mechanism; a remote mobile device; and a computer carried within the railroad housing. The computer includes a switch conductively coupled to a battery and operably associated with the stationary audible device; and a transceiver in data communication with the mobile device. A method includes wirelessly communicate with the mobile device via the transceiver if power is being drawn from the battery; and activating the stationary audible device if power is being drawn from the battery.

A backup power railroad crossing notification system for a railroad crossing mechanism. The system includes a stationary audible device carried within a railroad housing proximate to a railroad crossing mechanism; a remote mobile device; and a computer carried within the railroad housing. The computer includes a switch conductively coupled to a battery and operably associated with the stationary audible device; and a transceiver in data communication with the mobile device. A method includes wirelessly communicate with the mobile device via the transceiver if power is being drawn from the battery; and activating the stationary audible device if power is being drawn from the battery.

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 method and system for health assessment of a track circuit and/or of a track section, the track circuit being configured for detecting the presence of a vehicle on the track section between a transmitting end and a receiving end of the track circuit. The method, implemented by an electronic device, comprises obtaining, from a sensor device placed near the receiving end, samples of an electrical parameter of an electric signal transmitted between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the track section, forming a temporal series of received samples, applying an automatic clustering algorithm to separate the received samples in a predetermined number of clusters, selecting one of the clusters and determining, for the selected cluster, a first peak value of the received samples classified within the selected cluster, and calculating a track circuit health indicator depending on the first peak value determined for the selected cluster.

A power supply vital monitor for track circuits for railway systems includes a track segment that is separated from adjacent segments by electric joints. Each track segment includes a signal transmitting unit and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals and/or transmitting or receiving communication signals between the train and the track segment. The transmitting unit and receiving units are connected to a common power supply line. To avoid an erroneous clearing of an occupied status caused by spurious signals on the power supply line affecting reception of the train detection signals, each receiving unit includes a first and a second channel, which connect the receiver with the corresponding track circuit and with a power supply sensor connected to the power supply line. Switches enable and disable connections of the receivers to the corresponding track circuit and to the corresponding power supply sensor.

A power supply vital monitor for track circuits for railway systems includes a track segment that is separated from adjacent segments by electric joints. Each track segment includes a signal transmitting unit and receiving units for transmitting and receiving train presence detection signals and/or transmitting or receiving communication signals between the train and the track segment. The transmitting unit and receiving units are connected to a common power supply line. To avoid an erroneous clearing of an occupied status caused by spurious signals on the power supply line affecting reception of the train detection signals, each receiving unit includes a first and a second channel, which connect the receiver with the corresponding track circuit and with a power supply sensor connected to the power supply line. Switches enable and disable connections of the receivers to the corresponding track circuit and to the corresponding power supply sensor.

A monitoring device for monitoring a temporary rail connection of two rail portions includes a first fixing element which can be fixed to the first rail portion, and a second fixing element which can be fixed to the second rail portion. The monitoring device furthermore includes a first distance sensor for measuring a first distance between the fixing elements, and a second distance sensor for measuring a second distance between the first fixing element and a first clamping device of the temporary rail connection. The monitoring device allows reliable monitoring of the temporary rail connection. A rail connection system for creating and monitoring a temporary rail connection of two rail portions of a rail is also provided.