Patent ID: 6457682
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
A warning system for the intersection of a railroad track and roadway being generally transverse to a railroad track, comprising:an audible alarm located at the intersection that produces a directional audible signal in opposing directions along a roadway; a visual indicator co-located with the audible alarm producing a visual signal to an approaching track-based vehicle indicating the activation of the audible alarm at predefined operational levels; and a controller connected to the audible alarm and the visual indicator, the controller comprising inputs for receiving signals from transducers placed at predetermined locations along the railroad track, wherein the transducers detect the approach of the track-based vehicle towards the intersection and for activating the alarm in response to the detection of the signals, the controller further including a monitoring device that monitors the operation of the alarm at predefined operational levels and transmits a signal to the visual indicator indicative thereof, a detection devise that detects the proper operation of the visual indicator and a recording device that records system operation.