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 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 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.

A method for operating a railroad crossing includes using an axle counter to capture measurement data for rail vehicles approaching the railroad crossing during passage of the rail vehicle. The velocity and the acceleration of the rail vehicle are calculated from the measurement data as properties of the rail vehicle by arithmetic measures. A time of closure is specified for triggering a closure of the railroad crossing as a function of the calculated properties of the rail vehicle. The velocity and the acceleration are calculated from the measurement data of the axle counter. The time of closure of the railroad crossing is specified with reference to the calculated velocity and the calculated acceleration as the rail vehicle is leaving the axle counter. An apparatus for operating a railroad crossing, a computer program product and a delivery apparatus for the computer program product are also provided.

A method for operating a railroad crossing includes using an axle counter to capture measurement data for rail vehicles approaching the railroad crossing during passage of the rail vehicle. The velocity and the acceleration of the rail vehicle are calculated from the measurement data as properties of the rail vehicle by arithmetic measures. A time of closure is specified for triggering a closure of the railroad crossing as a function of the calculated properties of the rail vehicle. The velocity and the acceleration are calculated from the measurement data of the axle counter. The time of closure of the railroad crossing is specified with reference to the calculated velocity and the calculated acceleration as the rail vehicle is leaving the axle counter. An apparatus for operating a railroad crossing, a computer program product and a delivery apparatus for the computer program product are also provided.

A method of operating a warning light assembly at a railway crossing, as well as a warning light assembly operable in accordance with such a method, are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a voltage signal at the warning light assembly that corresponds to a railway crossing event. The method includes initiating a warning light flashing sequence that includes, during a first time period, illuminating the warning light during receipt of the voltage signal in a flashing pattern having a flashing frequency. The warning light flashing sequence also includes, during a second time period after the first time period, discontinuing the flashing pattern and illuminating the warning light in accordance with the voltage signal. Upon determining that receipt of the voltage signal at the warning light assembly is discontinued for at least for a predetermined time, the warning light flashing sequence is reinitialized for a next railway crossing event.

A method of operating a warning light assembly at a railway crossing, as well as a warning light assembly operable in accordance with such a method, are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a voltage signal at the warning light assembly that corresponds to a railway crossing event. The method includes initiating a warning light flashing sequence that includes, during a first time period, illuminating the warning light during receipt of the voltage signal in a flashing pattern having a flashing frequency. The warning light flashing sequence also includes, during a second time period after the first time period, discontinuing the flashing pattern and illuminating the warning light in accordance with the voltage signal. Upon determining that receipt of the voltage signal at the warning light assembly is discontinued for at least for a predetermined time, the warning light flashing sequence is reinitialized for a next railway crossing event.

An automated warning time inspection system (5) and method to test a warning time (45) at a railroad grade crossing (25) on each route for a train (30). The automated warning time inspection system (5) comprises a track circuit (12) configured to activate when a train (30) enters the track circuit (12), an event recorder (17) configured to record a first log time (35(1)) for activation of a crossing warning system (15), a camera (20) to detect a first motion detection indication (40(1)) in a motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) if there is any motion and an island circuit (22) to detect a presence of the train (30) as the train (30) enters an island (42). The event recorder (17) to record a third log time (35(3)) for switch position indications when present. The event recorder (17) to record a fourth log time (35(4)) for activation of the island circuit (22). The camera (20) to detect a second motion detection indication (40(2)) in the motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) after the activation of the island circuit (22) if there is any motion. The event recorder (17) to calculate and record a warning time (45) as a difference between the first log time (35(1) and the third log time (35(3)) and based on a motion detection before or after the activation of the island circuit (22) and whether the warning time (45) was more than or equal to a threshold time (50) and whether the train (30) was travelling more than or equal to a threshold speed (52) a passing or a failing of the warning time (45) inspection is logged into the event recorder (17) in a given route (55) of the train (30) travelling on the train track (7).

An automated warning time inspection system (5) and method to test a warning time (45) at a railroad grade crossing (25) on each route for a train (30). The automated warning time inspection system (5) comprises a track circuit (12) configured to activate when a train (30) enters the track circuit (12), an event recorder (17) configured to record a first log time (35(1)) for activation of a crossing warning system (15), a camera (20) to detect a first motion detection indication (40(1)) in a motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) if there is any motion and an island circuit (22) to detect a presence of the train (30) as the train (30) enters an island (42). The event recorder (17) to record a third log time (35(3)) for switch position indications when present. The event recorder (17) to record a fourth log time (35(4)) for activation of the island circuit (22). The camera (20) to detect a second motion detection indication (40(2)) in the motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) after the activation of the island circuit (22) if there is any motion. The event recorder (17) to calculate and record a warning time (45) as a difference between the first log time (35(1) and the third log time (35(3)) and based on a motion detection before or after the activation of the island circuit (22) and whether the warning time (45) was more than or equal to a threshold time (50) and whether the train (30) was travelling more than or equal to a threshold speed (52) a passing or a failing of the warning time (45) inspection is logged into the event recorder (17) in a given route (55) of the train (30) travelling on the train track (7).

A wireless target activation system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: receive at least one first target location and at least one second target location associated with a forward route of the train, wherein the at least one first target location is located before the at least one second target location on the forward route of the train; determine a gap time between when the leading edge of the train leaves the at least one first target location and is estimated to arrive at the at least one second target location based at least partially on a distance between the at least one first target location and the at least one second target location and a design speed; and based at least partially on the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the train, and a required warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause the activation of at least one function associated with the at least one second target location.