A railroad crossing control system (100) includes a constant warning time device (40) with a control unit (50) configured to produce multiple signals, and a wheel sensing system (120) comprising at least one sensor (122) connected to a rail (20a, 20b) of a railroad track (20) at a predetermined position (P), wherein the wheel sensing system (120) detects a presence of railroad vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20) such that the at least one sensor (122) detects wheels of the railroad vehicle using electromagnetic fields, wherein the wheel sensing system (120) provides speed values of the railroad vehicle to the constant warning time device (40), and wherein the constant warning time device (40) produces a constant warning time signal for controlling a railroad crossing warning device in response to receiving the speed values of the wheel sensing system (120).

A simulated track inductor mount including a base configured to be fixed against a supporting surface and an inductor hub attached to and extending from the base. The inductor hub includes one or more surfaces defining a margin and being configured to engage with an inner surface of the simulated track inductor, and the one or more surfaces are fixed to a camming tab configured to flex to removably seat the simulated track inductor on the inductor hub.

A railway road crossing warning system (10) including a railway road crossing control unit (18) that may be selectively set to a primary or a secondary mode of operation is provided. In the primary mode of operation, the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to a primary activation signal (21) received from a primary activation-signal source (22), such as a positive train control (PTC) system. In the event the primary activation signal from the primary activation-signal source is not available, railway road crossing control unit (18) is set to the secondary mode of operation, where the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to one or more signals (25) received from a secondary activation-signal source (26) including a railway-vehicle sensing system (28) electrically-decoupled from a railroad track (12). Disclosed embodiments maintain operational robustness in the presence of changing weather and avoid variable electrical ballast conditions that otherwise could develop across the rails, while providing a cost-effective and reliable backup capability for a PTC-started crossing system.

A warning system comprising an advanced preemption system is provided to provide warning of an additional advanced preemption time directly from a wayside inspector to a city traffic controller to turn one or more traffic lights red on a route intersecting with the railroad crossing. The advanced preemption system includes a first set of wireless magnetometers to be installed on a railway track of the railroad crossing on a first side of the railroad crossing. The first set of wireless magnetometers to be located at an advanced preemption crossing start activation point that is being at a distance before an existing crossing start activation point of the railroad crossing to provide the warning of the additional advanced preemption time.

A railroad crossing control system (100) includes a constant warning time device (40) with a control unit (50) configured to produce multiple signals, and a wheel sensing system (120) comprising at least one sensor (122) connected to a rail (20a, 20b) of a railroad track (20) at a predetermined position (P), wherein the wheel sensing system (120) detects a presence of railroad vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20) such that the at least one sensor (122) detects wheels of the railroad vehicle using electromagnetic fields, wherein the wheel sensing system (120) provides speed values of the railroad vehicle to the constant warning time device (40), and wherein the constant warning time device (40) produces a constant warning time signal for controlling a railroad crossing warning device in response to receiving the speed values of the wheel sensing system (120).

A railway road crossing warning system (10) including a railway road crossing control unit (18) that may be selectively set to a primary or a secondary mode of operation is provided. In the primary mode of operation, the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to a primary activation signal (21) received from a primary activation-signal source (22), such as a positive train control (PTC) system. In the event the primary activation signal from the primary activation-signal source is not available, railway road crossing control unit (18) is set to the secondary mode of operation, where the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to one or more signals (25) received from a secondary activation-signal source (26) including a railway-vehicle sensing system (28) electrically-decoupled from a railroad track (12). Disclosed embodiments maintain operational robustness in the presence of changing weather and avoid variable electrical ballast conditions that otherwise could develop across the rails, while providing a cost-effective and reliable backup capability for a PTC-started crossing system.

A warning system comprising an advanced preemption system is provided to provide warning of an additional advanced preemption time directly from a wayside inspector to a city traffic controller to turn one or more traffic lights red on a route intersecting with the railroad crossing. The advanced preemption system includes a first set of wireless magnetometers to be installed on a railway track of the railroad crossing on a first side of the railroad crossing. The first set of wireless magnetometers to be located at an advanced preemption crossing start activation point that is being at a distance before an existing crossing start activation point of the railroad crossing to provide the warning of the additional advanced preemption time.

A simulated track inductor mount including a base configured to be fixed against a supporting surface and an inductor hub attached to and extending from the base. The inductor hub includes one or more surfaces defining a margin and being configured to engage with an inner surface of the simulated track inductor, and the one or more surfaces are fixed to a camming tab configured to flex to removably seat the simulated track inductor on the inductor hub.

Systems and methods for detecting train direction and route along a railroad track. The systems and methods use wireless train presence detection sensors such as e.g., magnetometer sensors to detect the presence of the train, and its direction and route along the track.