Patent ID: 8406943
Filing Date: 2013-03-26
Classification: B61L

Abstract:
1. A method of verifying clearance of a rail crossing, comprising: (a) detecting the presence of a rail vehicle near the crossing, the rail vehicle being equipped with a rail vehicle control unit; (b) in response to detection of the rail vehicle near the crossing, generating a unique code; (c) capturing an image of the crossing; (d) transmitting the unique code along with the image to a remote operator control unit; (e) at the rail vehicle control unit, waiting for a response from the operator control unit containing the unique code; and (f) if the response containing the unique code is received by the rail vehicle control unit, permitting farther operation of the rail vehicle and, if the unique code is not received by the rail vehicle control unit, carrying out an automatic response which prevents movement of the rail vehicle through the crossing.