A gate retraction device is provided to return a crossing gate arm to a home position. The gate retraction device comprises a frame to hold a gate pivot pin that is configured to provide a bi-directional rotation of the crossing gate arm. The gate retraction device further comprises a main pivot assembly that receives the gate pivot pin on one end so as to enable rotation of the main pivot assembly in a horizontal plane. The main pivot assembly comprises a first side and a second side opposite of the first side and wherein the main pivot assembly further comprises a spring pin extending on the first side and the second side of the main pivot assembly. The gate retraction device further comprises a spring-loaded assembly trapped against the spring pin of the main pivot assembly as the main pivot assembly rotates.

A system (200) for monitoring a railroad grade crossing (100, 250) includes an illumination device (220, 230) for illuminating a section of a railroad grade crossing (100, 250), and a control device (240) in communication with the illumination device (220, 230). The illumination device (220, 230) is configured to obtain data of the section of the railroad grade crossing (100, 250) while illuminating the section, and the control device (240) is configured to receive and evaluate the data. Further, a method (600) for monitoring a railroad grade crossing (100, 250) is provided.

A gate retraction device is provided to return a crossing gate arm to a home position. The gate retraction device comprises a frame to hold a gate pivot pin that is configured to provide a bi-directional rotation of the crossing gate arm. The gate retraction device further comprises a main pivot assembly that receives the gate pivot pin on one end so as to enable rotation of the main pivot assembly in a horizontal plane. The main pivot assembly comprises a first side and a second side opposite of the first side and wherein the main pivot assembly further comprises a spring pin extending on the first side and the second side of the main pivot assembly. The gate retraction device further comprises a spring-loaded assembly trapped against the spring pin of the main pivot assembly as the main pivot assembly rotates.

A system (200) for monitoring a railroad grade crossing (100, 250) includes an illumination device (220, 230) for illuminating a section of a railroad grade crossing (100, 250), and a control device (240) in communication with the illumination device (220, 230). The illumination device (220, 230) is configured to obtain data of the section of the railroad grade crossing (100, 250) while illuminating the section, and the control device (240) is configured to receive and evaluate the data. Further, a method (600) for monitoring a railroad grade crossing (100, 250) is provided.