RAILROAD CROSSING WARNING SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED ROUTE PLANNING

In an embodiment, a system for detection of trains at railroad crossings is provided. The system comprises a field-deployed detection and reporting device comprising a microphone, a communication module, a microprocessor, and an application. When executed on the microprocessor, the application receives data describing sounds captured by the microphone and identifies frequencies of a first received sound. The application also transmits, based on the identified frequencies and a formula, a first message via the communication module. The first received sound is generated by a warning bell sounded at the railroad crossing. The first message is received by a backend server that issues a first broadcast based on receipt of the first message. The application further determines that the first received sound discontinues. Based on the determination, the application sends a second message via the module to the backend server which issues a second broadcast that the crossing is reopened.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the field of railroad transportation. More particularly, the present disclosure provides systems and methods of detecting sounds associated with warning bells at railroad crossings that indicate passing trains and based thereon advising nearby motorists via wireless notification of potential for traffic congestion and delay.

BACKGROUND

Railroad transportation, for moving both passengers and freight, are essential to the economic and social well-being of developed countries. Freight trains transport a major portion of US goods daily. This has inadvertently led to problems with blocked railroad crossings, for extensive periods of time in many cases. Railroads used by the freight industry often travel through urban areas and cause extensive automobile traffic delays due to their length and slower speeds. Freight trains could stretch up to three miles and are operated at very low speeds through residential areas. The issues of railroad crossing safety and traffic congestion have reached high levels of the US federal government but have failed to receive action. Further, there have been documented cases of delayed emergency responses.

Although advanced route planning technology is available, such technology does not provide information relating to the state of railroad crossings. This information is not shared by railroad operators. Rail companies have state-of-the-art monitoring systems that are not available for public or city municipality use.

Previous implementations describe devices using laser or vibration to detect incoming trains and may require cooperation of the railroad involved including using components owned by the rail company. No previous implementation independently identifies the state of a crossing involving motor vehicle traffic.

Most railroad crossings now have protection in the form of automatic warning devices such as flashing lights, warning sounds, and barriers or gates. Crossing gates and electronic bells are activated simultaneously before the arrival of the train and stay active for several minutes after the train has passed. But the problem of automobile traffic congestion caused by long and slow freight trains remains.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods described herein provide for observing the open or closed state of a railroad crossing and making that information available to motor vehicle operators and others in near real time via a mobile application. Ambient sound is captured, converted into frequencies, unwanted frequencies are removed using digital filter, and the frequencies in the band of interest are closely monitored. Electronic bells that are typically mounted on masts supporting gates or tall poles near crossings are activated by the railroad as a train is approaching. Systems provided herein are programmed to detect when the electronic bell begins and stops sounding.

Systems and methods of the present disclosure have two primary objectives: 1) Quickly and accurately determine the state of railroad crossing gate, either open or closed; and 2) Communicate with the mobile application in proximate vehicles as quickly as possible.

As a train approaches a crossing, the crossing gate closes and the bell begins to sound. Electronic bells used by railroads have an array of frequencies. However, three dominant frequencies were found in almost all cases during field tests. These frequencies are fed into a formula or algorithm to determine the state of the gate. A device that may be referred to as the Field-Device (FD) is deployed in the vicinity of a crossing and listens continuously using a digital microphone. The surrounding noise is captured and processed by a microprocessor that may be dual core and an application executing thereon. When the bell begins alarming such that a train is approaching, an algorithm or formula mentioned previously is activated by the application. The algorithm or formula detects the specific bell frequencies and orders a communication module to update status of the crossing to “closed” in a mobile application executing on motorist devices. The same algorithm also detects when the bell has stopped alarming to indicating reopening of the crossing. The microprocessor then orders the communication module to send updates to motorists' devices changing the crossing status to “open”.

The application, including at the least one algorithm, periodically samples ambient sound, for example every 10 milliseconds using the I2S protocol, performs Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) to convert sound into frequency, and applies the formula included in the application to determine whether the bell is ringing. This formula was developed based on real data gathered by conducting numerous field experiments. Once the state of the gate is determined, the microprocessor provides this information to the communication module. The communication module is in constant contact with a backend server that sends messages to instances of the mobile application executing on motorists' mobile devices and on other devices. Collectively, the entire process is completed in near real-time.

The device provided herein is equipped with a solar panel that powers all components of an Integrated Circuit (IC) when optimal sunlight is available. The solar panel also charges the onboard Lithium-ion battery during the optimal sunlight hours. The Li-ion battery provides power when the solar panel cannot provide power. The device is energy independent. Power needs of systems provided herein may be met by the structure described above and may reduce or eliminate a need for maintenance.

The lightweight design and small footprint of the device allows it to be mounted conveniently in the vicinity of railroad crossing. The device is not in most embodiments mounted on any of the active components of the railroad system owned by the railroad company.

Systems and methods provided herein do not control or take input from any railroad crossing components or other components controlled by the railroad. Further, no action or participation by the railroad is required or involved. The device provided herein which contains the microprocessor, microphone, and cellular module may be mounted, for example, on a street sign, on a sign board, or on a residential awning in the vicinity of the railroad crossing. The detection and warning methods provided herein are fully independent of the railroad.

The field deployed detection and reporting device contains the microphone, for example an Adafruit I2S MEMS Electric Mic Amplifier (Product ID 3421). The device also contains the microprocessor, for example a esp32-wroom-32E, and the communication module, for example a Quectel BG95.

The device may share data with local public transportation authorities. Buses equipped with GPS functionality may use functionality provided to reduce delays and improve rider experience. First responders' response time may be greatly improved by having this information in advance.

In an embodiment, a network of interconnected field devices such as that provided herein may be built. Existing backend server functionalities to determine crossing status when one of the devices in the chain malfunctions may be used. The data gathered by such device network can also be used to train a Neural Network which, when used in conjunction with the Artificial Intelligence (AI), will open numerous possibilities to either directly improve the system described here or provide add-on services in the future.

As part of getting information from the point-of-action to the end user, a mobile application was developed. With its user-friendly interface, it shows the state of the gate with color coded rings. These rings are superimposed onto the map of the area of focus. The overall system is designed to expand the capability nationwide.

Turning to the figures,FIG.1is a diagram of a system of gate tracking as provided herein.FIG.1illustrates components and interactions of a system100of railroad crossing warning for enhanced route planning.

The system100comprises a field deployed detection and reporting device102and a field deployed detection and reporting application104executing thereon, referred to hereafter for brevity as the device102and the application104, respectively. The application104includes at least one algorithm that is not shown inFIG.1.

The system100also includes a microprocessor106, a microphone108, and a communication module110which in some embodiments may be referred to as a cellular module. The system100further includes a backend server112, motor vehicles114a-n, mobile devices116a-n, and mobile applications118a-n. The mobile applications118a-nexecute on the mobile devices116a-nwhich are carried in motor vehicles114a-nthat may travel near railroad crossings and be subject to delays by passing trains.

Also illustrated for discussion purposes inFIG.1but not directly provided by the system100are a railroad crossing and vicinity120which may be referred to for brevity as the crossing120, an approaching train122, a train passing through crossing124, a receding train126, and a warning bell128, all components provided by a railroad company in most embodiments.

As approaching trains122, trains passing through crossing124, and receding trains126, i.e., trains leaving the crossing120, are in effect at a crossing120, the warning bell128is sounded by the railroad company to warn motorists. A barrier may also be lowered to physically obstruct vehicles from crossing tracks. The microphone108is receiving and passing along sounds of the warning bell128and all other proximate sounds to the microprocessor106. The application104, via at least one algorithm, measures frequencies of sounds received and detects the frequencies of the sound projected by the warning bell128. As described in greater detail above, as long as the measured frequencies meets criteria contained in the application104, the device102, via the cellular module110, notifies the backend server112which transmits messages to the mobile applications118a-n. Motorists and others who have downloaded the mobile application118a-non their phones have this information readily available when the application is launched. Availability of information provided by the mobile application118a-nis not dependent on users' geographic location. Components inFIG.2andFIG.3are indexed to components provided by the system100.

FIG.2shows communication between the device202and backend server212supporting the mobile application214. In an embodiment, the microphone208may be a Adafruit I2S digital mic. In an embodiment, the microprocessor206may be an esp32-wroom-32E microprocessor. In an embodiment, the communication module210may be a Quectel BG95 communication (cellular/gps) module.

FIG.3illustrates multiple devices302, shown as Gate Tracking Devices, transmitting through the backend server312to mobile applications318. In embodiments, a single backend server312can receive messaging from a plurality of devices302. If these devices302are located at railroad crossings on the same rail line in geographical succession, their reported information may be used in determining if a railroad train has stopped, its direction, or if one of the devices302has malfunctioned.

In an embodiment, a system for detection of trains at railroad crossings is provided. The system comprises a field-deployed detection and reporting device comprising a microphone, a communication module, a microprocessor, and an application. When executed on the microprocessor, the application receives data describing sounds captured by the microphone and identifies frequencies of a first received sound. The application also transmits, based on the identified frequencies and a formula, a first message via the communication module. The first received sound is generated by a warning bell sounded at the railroad crossing. The first message is received by a backend server that issues a first broadcast based on receipt of the first message. The application further determines that the first received sound discontinues. Based on the determination, the application sends a second message via the module to the backend server. Based on receipt of the second message, the backend server issues a second broadcast, the second broadcast indicating that the railroad crossing is reopened.

In another embodiment, a system for reducing vehicle traffic delays at railroad crossings is provided. The system comprises a computer and an application executing on the computer that processes a series of sounds received by a microphone proximate the computer, performs Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis on the series of received sounds, determines, based on the analysis, that a first received sound exhibits at least a first frequency, and instructs a server, via a communication module and based on the determination, to transmit a broadcast. The first received sound is generated by an alarm bell at the railroad crossing. Generation of the first received sound by the alarm bell indicates that a railroad train is approaching the crossing. The broadcast is directed to selected wireless devices.

In yet another embodiment, a method of reducing vehicle traffic delays at railroad crossings is provided. The method comprises a computer equipped with a communication module receiving from a proximate microphone a plurality of electronic signals representing sounds captured by the microphone. The method also comprises the computer identifying a first electronic signal as associated with at least a first frequency exhibited by a first sound of the plurality of sounds. The method also comprises the computer, based on the identification, transmitting via the module a first message to a backend server. The method further comprises the backend server issuing a broadcast to wireless devices proximate the computer. The at least first frequency is associated with a warning bell situated at the railroad crossing. The broadcast warns the wireless devices of a closed status of the railroad crossing. The computer subsequently transmits, via the module a second message to the backend server, the second message advising of an open status of the railroad crossing.