Method and system for sharing of information pertinent at a railway crossing

Abstract

An information sharing system derives from a roadway vehicles management system position-related data of a roadway vehicle along a road and determines a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross a railway crossing. The information sharing system further derives from a railway vehicles management system position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway and determines a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing. The information sharing system determines, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window to a railway vehicle time window, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap. The information sharing system provides information associated with the overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle.

Claims

1. A method performed by an information sharing system for sharing of information associated with a railway crossing of a road and a railway, the information sharing system associated with a roadway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more roadway vehicles, the method comprising: deriving, from the roadway vehicles management system, position-related data of a roadway vehicle along the road; determining, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross the railway crossing; deriving, from a railway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway; determining, based on the railway vehicle position-related data, a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing; determining, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap; providing information associated with the overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle; and determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to classify the object as a railway vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to, at the railway crossing, monitor the railway vehicle by one or more vision sensors.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the railway crossing at least partly comprises an active protection system with one or more level crossing barriers or gates configured to be lowered or one or more level crossing signs configured to provide a warning during a no-passage time window associated with the railway vehicle timing, the method then further comprising: deriving time information of the no-passage time window from the railway vehicles management system; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the derived time information, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to present an in-vehicle visual or audible indication of time to expiry of the no-passage time window.

4. The method according to claim 3 further comprising: determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the no-passage time window, that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window; and providing data, based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window, to the railway vehicles management system, the railway vehicle, the roadway vehicles management system or the roadway vehicle, the data revealing a violation of the one or more level crossing barriers or level crossing signs.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the railway crossing at least partly is unprotected, the provided information comprising data based on the railway vehicle time window, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to present an in-vehicle visual or audible indication until the expiry of the railway vehicle time window.

6. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: estimating, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle at least partly is positioned on the railway of the railway crossing; deriving, from the roadway vehicles management system, hazard light data indicative of whether a hazard light alert is active on the roadway vehicle, and/or deriving a confidence value indicating a level of confidence of position-related data in a geographical area at least partly comprising the railway crossing, which confidence value is based on statistical position-related data in the area; and determining that the hazard light data indicates that the hazard light alert is active, and/or that the confidence value exceeds a predetermined minimum confidence level threshold, wherein the provided information comprises data based on the estimating that the roadway vehicle at least partly is positioned on the railway of the railway crossing and the deriving hazard light data and/or a confidence value, the data revealing a potential collision hazard at the railway crossing between the roadway vehicle and the railway vehicle.

7. An information sharing system for sharing of information associated with a railway crossing of a road and a railway, the information sharing system configured to associate with a roadway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more roadway vehicles, the information sharing system comprising: a roadway deriving unit configured for deriving, from the roadway vehicles management system, position-related data of a roadway vehicle along the road; a roadway determining unit configured for determining, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross the railway crossing; a railway deriving unit configured for deriving from, a railway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway; a railway determining unit configured for determining, based on the railway vehicle position-related data, a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing; a time window determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap; an information providing unit configured for providing information associated with overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle; and a range determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to classify the object as a railway vehicle.

8. The information sharing system according to claim 7 further comprising: an arrival determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to, at the railway crossing, monitor the railway vehicle by one or more vision sensors.

9. The information sharing system according to claim 7 wherein the railway crossing at least partly comprises an active protection system with one or more level crossing barriers or gates configured to be lowered or one or more level crossing signs configured to provide a warning during a no-passage time window associated with the railway vehicle timing, the information sharing system further comprising: a no-passage deriving unit configured for deriving time information of the no-passage time window from the railway vehicles management system; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the derived time information, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to present an in-vehicle visual or audible indication of time to expiry of the no-passage time window.

10. The information sharing system according to claim 9 further comprising: a violation crossing determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the no-passage time window, that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window; and a violation providing unit configured for providing data, based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window, to the railway vehicles management system, the railway vehicle, the roadway vehicles management system or the roadway vehicle, the data revealing a violation of the one or more level crossing barriers or level crossing signs.

11. The information sharing system according to claim 7 wherein the railway crossing at least partly is unprotected, the provided information comprising data based on the railway vehicle time window, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to present an in-vehicle visual or audible indication until the expiry of the railway vehicle time window.

12. The information sharing system according to claim 7 further comprising: a railway position estimating unit configured for estimating, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle at least partly is positioned on the railway of the railway crossing; a hazard light deriving unit and/or a confidence value deriving unit, the hazard light deriving unit configured for deriving, from the roadway vehicles management system, hazard light data indicative of whether a hazard light alert is active on the roadway vehicle, the confidence value deriving unit configured for deriving a confidence value indicating a level of confidence of position-related data in a geographical area at least partly comprising the railway crossing, which confidence value is based on statistical position-related data in the area; and a hazard determining unit configured for determining that the hazard light data indicates that the hazard light alert is active, and/or that the confidence value exceeds a predetermined minimum confidence level threshold; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the estimating that the roadway vehicle at least partly is positioned on the railway of the railway crossing and the deriving hazard light data and/or a confidence value, the data revealing a potential collision hazard at the railway crossing between the roadway vehicle and the railway vehicle.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored computer executable instructions which, when executed in an information sharing system for sharing of information associated with a railway crossing of a road and a railway, the information sharing system associated with a roadway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more roadway vehicles, cause the information sharing system to: derive, from the roadway vehicles management system, position-related data of a roadway vehicle along the road; determine, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross the railway crossing; derive, from a railway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway; determine, based on the railway vehicle position-related data, a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing; determine, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap; provide information associated with the overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle; and determine, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to classify the object as a railway vehicle.

14. A method performed by an information sharing system for sharing of information associated with a railway crossing of a road and a railway, the information sharing system associated with a roadway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more roadway vehicles, the method comprising: deriving, from the roadway vehicles management system, position-related data of a roadway vehicle along the road; determining, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross the railway crossing; deriving, from a railway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway; determining, based on the railway vehicle position-related data, a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing; determining, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap; providing information associated with the overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle; and determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to, at the railway crossing, monitor the railway vehicle by one or more vision sensors.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the railway crossing at least partly comprises an active protection system with one or more level crossing barriers or gates configured to be lowered or one or more level crossing signs configured to provide a warning during a no-passage time window associated with the railway vehicle timing, the method then further comprising: deriving time information of the no-passage time window from the railway vehicles management system; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the derived time information, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to present an in-vehicle visual or audible indication of time to expiry of the no-passage time window.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising: determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the no-passage time window, that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window; and providing data, based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window, to the railway vehicles management system, the railway vehicle, the roadway vehicles management system or the roadway vehicle, the data revealing a violation of the one or more level crossing barriers or level crossing signs.

17. An information sharing system for sharing of information associated with a railway crossing of a road and a railway, the information sharing system configured to associate with a roadway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more roadway vehicles, the information sharing system comprising: a roadway deriving unit configured for deriving, from the roadway vehicles management system, position-related data of a roadway vehicle along the road; a roadway determining unit configured for determining, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross the railway crossing; a railway deriving unit configured for deriving from, a railway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway; a railway determining unit configured for determining, based on the railway vehicle position-related data, a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing; a time window determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap; an information providing unit configured for providing information associated with overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle; and an arrival determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to, at the railway crossing, monitor the railway vehicle by one or more vision sensors.

18. The information sharing system according to claim 17 wherein the railway crossing at least partly comprises an active protection system with one or more level crossing barriers or gates configured to be lowered or one or more level crossing signs configured to provide a warning during a no-passage time window associated with the railway vehicle timing, the information sharing system further comprising: a no-passage deriving unit configured for deriving time information of the no-passage time window from the railway vehicles management system; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the derived time information, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to present an in-vehicle visual or audible indication of time to expiry of the no-passage time window.

19. The information sharing system according to claim 18 further comprising: a violation crossing determining unit configured for determining, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the no-passage time window, that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window; and a violation providing unit configured for providing data, based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is crossing or has already crossed the railway crossing prior to expiry of the no-passage time window, to the railway vehicles management system, the railway vehicle, the roadway vehicles management system or the roadway vehicle, the data revealing a violation of the one or more level crossing barriers or level crossing signs.

20. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored computer executable instructions which, when executed in an information sharing system for sharing of information associated with a railway crossing of a road and a railway, the information sharing system associated with a roadway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more roadway vehicles, cause the information sharing system to: derive, from the roadway vehicles management system, position-related data of a roadway vehicle along the road; determine, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data, a roadway vehicle timing at or during which the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or cross the railway crossing; derive, from a railway vehicles management system holding vehicle status data of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data of a railway vehicle along the railway; determine, based on the railway vehicle position-related data, a railway vehicle timing at or during which the railway vehicle is estimated to arrive at or have passed the railway crossing; determine, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window and the railway vehicle time window at least partly overlap; provide information associated with the overlap to the roadway vehicle or the railway vehicle; and determine, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data to the railway vehicle position-related data, that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing; wherein the provided information comprises data based on the determining that the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing, the data initiating the roadway vehicle to, at the railway crossing, monitor the railway vehicle by one or more vision sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The various non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure, including particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway vehicle is estimated to be an object in range of one or more vision sensors of the roadway vehicle;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the roadway vehicle is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing prior to the railway vehicle timing;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway crossing at least partly comprises an active protection system;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic overview of an alternative exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway crossing at least partly comprises an active protection system;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway crossing at least partly is unprotected;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the roadway vehicle appears to at least partly be positioned on the railway at the railway crossing;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplifying information sharing system according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

(10) FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an exemplifying method for sharing of information pertinent a railway crossing of a road and a railway according to embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and that various and alternative forms may be employed. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art.

(12) The non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout. Dashed lines of some boxes in the figures indicate that these units or actions are optional and not mandatory. Reference characters followed by one or more apostrophes in FIGS. 2-7 refer to elements resembling elements previously discussed in conjunction with FIG. 1.

(13) In the following, according to embodiments herein which relate to sharing of information pertinent a railway crossing of a road and a railway, there will be disclosed an approach which enables information related to said railway crossing to be communicated.

(14) Referring now to the figures and FIG. 1 in particular, there is illustrated a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The information sharing system 1 is associated with a roadway vehicles management system 2 holding vehicle status data 21 of one or more roadway vehicles. The information sharing system 1 and the roadway vehicles management system 2 are here connected to an automotive cloud network 3. Further shown is a road 4 along which a roadway vehicle 41 is positioned. The roadway vehicle 41 here comprises a commonly known positioning system 411 for positioning thereof. The roadway vehicle 41 is further adapted for wireless communication with the roadway vehicles management system 2, which enables the roadway vehicle status data 21 to comprise position-related data 211 of the shown roadway vehicle 41. Additionally, shown is a railway 5 along which a railway vehicle 51 is positioned, and a railway vehicles management system 6 that holds vehicle status data 61 of one or more railway vehicles. The railway vehicle 51 here comprises a commonly known positioning system 511 for positioning thereof; optionally, the railway 5 may additionally or alternatively comprise and/or be equipped with one or more sensors 52 adapted to sense the presence of the railway vehicle 51. The railway vehicle 51 is further adapted for wireless communication with a railway vehicles management system 6, which enables the railway vehicle status data 61 to comprise position-related data 611 of the shown railway vehicle 51. Additionally or alternatively may the one or more optional sensors 52 enable the railway vehicle status data 61 to comprise the railway vehicle position-related data 611. The road 4 and the railway 5 intersect at a railway crossing 45. Further shown is information 7 provided to the roadway vehicle 41, here referred to as roadway vehicle provided information, and information 8 provided to the railway vehicle 51, here referred to as railway vehicle provided information.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway vehicle 51 is estimated to be an object 510 in range 4121 of one or more optional vision and/or radar sensors 412 of the roadway vehicle 41. The roadway vehicle provided information 7 may then comprise data initiating the roadway vehicle 41 to classify the object 510 as a railway vehicle, as will be further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

(16) FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the roadway vehicle 41 is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing 45 prior to a railway vehicle timing. The roadway vehicle provided information 7 may then comprise data initiating the roadway vehicle 41 to, at the railway crossing 45, monitor the railway vehicle 51 by means of one or more vision and/or radar sensors 413, as will be further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

(17) FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway crossing 45 at least partly comprises an active protection system 451. The active protection system 451 is here represented by level crossing barriers adapted to be lowered during a no-passage time window. Further shown is time information 62 of the no-passage time window derived from the railway vehicles management system 6. The roadway vehicle provided information 7 may then comprise data initiating the roadway vehicle 41 to take into accountand/or present visually and/or audibly e.g. by means of one or more displays 414a and or loudspeakers 414b on-board the roadway vehicle 41time to expiry of the no-passage time window, as will be further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

(18) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic overview of an alternative exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway crossing 45 at least partly comprises an active protection system 451. The active protection system 451 is here represented by level crossing barriers adapted to be lowered during a no-passage time window. Further shown is time information 62 of the no-passage time window derived from the railway vehicles management system 6. Here, the roadway vehicle 41 has already crossed the railway crossing 45 prior to expiry of the no-passage time window. Still further shown is data 9 provided to the railway vehicles management system 6, which data reveals a violation of the one or more level crossing barriers 451, as will be further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

(19) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the railway crossing 45 at least partly is unprotected. The roadway vehicle provided information 7 may then comprise data initiating the roadway vehicle 41 to take into accountand/or present an in-vehicle visual and/or audible indication e.g. by means of one or more displays 414a and or loudspeakers 414b on-board the roadway vehicle 41 untilthe expiry of a railway vehicle time window, as will be further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

(20) FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic overview of an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, when the roadway vehicle 41 appears to at least partly be positioned on the railway 5 at the railway crossing 45. Further shown is hazard light data 22 derived from the roadway vehicles management system 2, which hazard light data 22 is indicative of whether or not a hazard light alert 415 is active or not on the roadway vehicle 41; here, the hazard light alert 415 is active. The roadway vehicle provided information 7 and/or the railway vehicle provided information 8 may then comprise data revealing a potential collision hazard at the railway crossing 45 between the roadway vehicle 41 and the railway vehicle 51, as will be further discussed in conjunction with FIG. 9.

(21) As further shown in FIG. 8, which depicts a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplifying information sharing system 1 according to embodiments of the disclosure, the information sharing system 1 comprises a roadway deriving unit 101, a roadway determining unit 102, a railway deriving unit 103, a railway determining unit 104, a time window determining unit 105 and an information providing unit 113, all of which will be described in greater detail further on in the description. The information sharing system 1 may further comprise an optional range determining unit 106, an optional arrival determining unit 107, an optional no-passage deriving unit 108, an optional violation crossing determining unit 114, an optional violation providing unit 115, an optional railway position estimating unit 109, an optional hazard light deriving unit 110, an optional confidence value deriving unit 111, and/or an optional hazard determining unit 112, which similarly will be described in greater detail further on.

(22) Furthermore, the embodiments herein for sharing of information pertinent a railway crossing 45 of a road 4 and a railway 5, may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processor 116, here denoted CPU, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. Said program code may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the information sharing system 1. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the information sharing system 1. The information sharing system 1 may further comprise a memory 117 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 117 may be arranged to be used to store e.g. information, and further to store data, configurations, schedulings, and applications, to perform the methods herein when being executed in the information sharing system 1. Furthermore, the units 101-115 discussed above, the processor 116 may and the memory 117 may for instance fully or at least partly be implemented in the optional automotive cloud network 3 and/or the roadway vehicles management system 2. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the units 101-115 discussed above, which will be described in further detail later on in this description, as well as any other system, unit, arrangement, device, module, or the like described herein, may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in a memory such as the memory 117, that when executed by the one or more processors such as the processor 116 perform as will be described in more detail later on. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a SoC (System-on-a-Chip).

(23) FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an exemplifying method for sharing of information pertinent a railway crossing 45 of a road 4 and a railway 5 according to embodiments of the disclosure. The method is performed by the information sharing system 1, for sharing of information pertinent a railway crossing 45 of a road 4 and a railway 5, which information sharing system 1 is associated with a roadway vehicles management system 2 holding vehicle status data 21 of one or more roadway vehicles. The exemplifying method, which may be continuously repeated, comprises the following actions discussed with support from FIGS. 1-8. The actions may be taken in any suitable order; for instance may Actions 1001-1002 and Actions 1003-1004 be performed simultaneously and/or in an alternate order.

(24) Action 1001

(25) In Action 1001, as shown with support from FIGS. 1-8, the information sharing system 1 derives from the roadway vehicles management system 2e.g. by means of the roadway deriving unit 101position-related data 211 of a roadway vehicle 41 along the road 41.

(26) Action 1002

(27) In Action 1002, as shown with support from FIGS. 1-8, the information sharing system 1 determines, based on said roadway vehicle position-related data 211, e.g. by means of the roadway determining unit 102, a roadway vehicle timing at and/or during which the roadway vehicle 41 is estimated to arrive at and/or cross the railway crossing 45.

(28) Action 1003

(29) In Action 1003, as shown with support from FIGS. 1-8, the information sharing system 1 derives, e.g. by means of the railway deriving unit 103, from a railway vehicles management system 6 holding vehicle status data 61 of one or more railway vehicles, position-related data 611 of a railway vehicle 51 along the railway 5.

(30) Action 1004

(31) In Action 1004, as shown with support from FIGS. 1-8, the information sharing system 1 determines, based on the railway vehicle position-related data 611, e.g. by means of the railway determining unit 104, a railway vehicle timing at and/or during which the railway vehicle 51 is estimated to arrive at and/or have passed the railway crossing 45.

(32) Action 1005

(33) In Action 1005, as shown with support from FIGS. 1-8, the information sharing system 1 determines, e.g. by means of the time window determining unit 105, based on comparing a roadway vehicle time window comprising the roadway vehicle timing, to a railway vehicle time window comprising the railway vehicle timing, that the roadway vehicle time window at least partly overlaps the railway vehicle time window.

(34) Action 1013

(35) In Action 1013, as shown with support from FIGS. 1-8, the information sharing system 1 provides, e.g. by means of the information providing unit 113, information 7, 8 associated with the expected overlap, to the roadway vehicle 41 and/or to the railway vehicle 51.

(36) Action 1006

(37) In optional Action 1006, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may determine, e.g. by means of the range determining unit 106, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data 211 to the railway vehicle position-related data 611, that the railway vehicle 51 is estimated to be an object 510 in range 4121 of one or more vision sensors 412 of the roadway vehicle 41. The information 7 associated with the expected overlap then comprises data based on said determining of Action 1006, which data initiates the roadway vehicle 41 to classify the object 510 as a railway vehicle.

(38) Action 1007

(39) In optional Action 1007, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 3 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may determine, e.g. by means of the arrival determining unit 107, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data 211 to the railway vehicle position-related data 611, that the roadway vehicle 41 is estimated to arrive at the railway crossing 45 prior to the railway vehicle timing. The information 7 associated with the expected overlap then comprises data based on the determining of Action 1007, which data initiates the roadway vehicle 41 to, at the railway crossing 45, monitor the railway vehicle 51 by means of one or more vision sensors 413.

(40) Action 1008

(41) Optionally, the railway crossing 45 may at least partly comprises an active protection system 451 with one or more level crossing barriers and/or gates adapted to be lowered, and/or one or more level crossing signs adapted to provide a warning, during a no-passage time window associated with the railway vehicle timing. Then, in optional Action 1008, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 4 and 8, the information sharing system 1 derives, e.g. by means of the no-passage deriving unit 108, time information 62 of the no-passage time window from the railway vehicles management system 6. The information 7 associated with the expected overlap then comprises data based on the time information 62, which data initiates the roadway vehicle 41 to take into accountand/or present visually and/or audibly e.g., by means of one or more optional displays 414a and or loudspeakers 414btime to expiry of the no-passage time window.

(42) Optionally, additionally or alternatively, the railway crossing 45 may at least partly be unprotected. Then, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 6 and 8, the information 7 associated with the expected overlap may comprise data based on the railway vehicle time window, which data initiates the roadway vehicle 41 to take into accountand/or present an in-vehicle visual and/or audible indication e.g. by means of the one or more displays 414a and/or loudspeakers 414b untilthe expiry of the railway vehicle time window.

(43) Action 1009

(44) In optional Action 1009, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may estimate, e.g. by means of the railway position estimating unit 109, based on the roadway vehicle position-related data 211, that the roadway vehicle 41 at least partly is positioned on the railway 5 of the railway crossing 45.

(45) Action 1010

(46) Following upon Action 1009, in optional Action 1010, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may derive, e.g. by means of the hazard light deriving unit 110, from the roadway vehicles management system 2, hazard light data 22 indicative of whether or not a hazard light alert 415 is active or not on the roadway vehicle 41.

(47) Action 1011

(48) Following upon Action 1010, in optional Action 1011, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may then derive, e.g. by means of the confidence value deriving unit 111, a confidence value indicating a level of general confidence of position-related data in a geographical area at least partly comprising the railway crossing 45, which confidence value is based on statistical position-related data in the area. The information 7 associated with the expected overlap then comprises data based on the estimating of Action 1009, the deriving of Action 1010 and/or the deriving of Action 1011, which data reveals a potential collision hazard at the railway crossing 45 between the roadway vehicle 41 and the railway vehicle 51.

(49) Action 1012

(50) Following upon Action 1011, in optional Action 1012, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may then determine, e.g. by means of the hazard determining unit 112, that the hazard light data 22 indicates that the hazard light alert 415 is active, and/or that the confidence value exceeds a predetermined minimum confidence level threshold.

(51) Action 1014

(52) Provided Action 1008 has been performed, in optional Action 1014, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may determine, e.g. by means of the violation crossing determining unit 114, based on comparing the roadway vehicle position-related data 411 to the no-passage time window, that the roadway vehicle 41 is crossing and/or has already crossed the railway crossing 45 prior to expiry of the no-passage time window.

(53) Action 1015

(54) Following upon Action 1014, in optional Action 1015, as shown with support at least from FIGS. 1, 5 and 8, the information sharing system 1 may then provide, e.g. by means of the violation providing unit 115, data 9 based on the determining of Action 1014, to the railway vehicles management system 6, the railway vehicle 51, the roadway vehicles management system 2 and/or the roadway vehicle 41, the data 9 revealing a violation of the one or more level crossing barriers and/or level crossing signs.

(55) The person skilled in the art realizes that the present disclosure by no means is limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. It should furthermore be noted that the drawings not necessarily are to scale and the dimensions of certain features may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis is instead placed upon illustrating the principle of the embodiments herein. Additionally, as used herein, the phrases adapted to or adapted for may refer to or include configured to or configured for, the words initiates or initiating may refer to or include causes or causing, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality.

(56) While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure.