Express train system

A train system has a locomotive traveling at a controlled speed on a main track, with passenger cars capable of locomotion and of automatic coupling and decoupling, forming a train on the main track. Appropriate passenger cars are decoupled and switched onto a side track at stations to unload passengers while the rest of the train passes the stations without stopping. Passenger cars loaded with passengers at these stations are then deployed to couple-up with the train after it has passed the station. This combines local service with express service. Operation in most cases is guided by a central computer system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of train systems. More specifically, in the area of rapid transit.

2. Description of Related Art

In the field of rapid transit systems, there have been many innovations on the technology side. The very first locomotives were powered by steam. Then came the gas and diesel locomotives. Then came electric motor locomotives. Today, there are systems that run using various types of magnetic propulsion. Regardless of all the innovation, and increases in speed capabilities, many problems remain.

Scheduling systems used today may have set times for each stop, so that commuters know when they should be at a certain location. This may be an important factor, especially when there are infrequent stops made by the trains. A set schedule may also result in time that may be considered wasted if there are infrequent passengers getting off or on at that particular stop. With the help of history and records of ridership gathered from various forms of public transportation, the number of stops at less active locations are decreased. Fewer stops may result in a shorter time between an origin and destination. However, this creates another problem—fewer stops may lead to faster travel time overall, but it may be an inconvenience to people who depend on public transportation and are required to commute from less popular areas. This may lead to people deciding not to use public transportation at all, and, instead, decide to use personal transportation out of convenience.

Therefore, what is clearly needed is a system that doesn't adhere entirely to the old scheduling system, while allowing for more stops, with little or no time penalties for additional stops.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention a train system is provided, comprising a first main track, passing each one of a plurality of geographically-separated passenger stations in a sequential order, a locomotive traveling at a controlled, pre-determined speed on the first main track, a plurality of passenger cars, each capable of individual locomotion and of automatic coupling and decoupling to other passenger cars and to the locomotive, each having passages that may be opened to allow passengers to move from car to car, and that may be closed to prevent passengers from moving from car to car, a portion of the plurality of passenger cars coupled to one another and to the locomotive, forming a train moving at the controlled, pre-determined speed on the first main track, side tracks at each passenger station joined to the main track by a first remotely-operable switch before and by a second remotely-operable switch after the associated passenger station, the side tracks each having a load/unload region at the associated passenger station, and a central computer system tracking the locomotive and all passenger cars, remotely switching the first and second remotely-operable switches at each passenger station, and managing locomotion of each passenger car while decoupled from the train. The central computer system operates the first and second switches of a side track at a passenger station, decouples a last car of the train ahead of each passenger station and operates the first remotely operable switch to shunt the decoupled car onto the side track, resets the first switch after the decoupled car is on the side track, closes and accelerates a newly-loaded car from the load/unload region onto the main track after the train has passed the second switch, by operating the second switch, manages locomotion of the newly loaded car to join the train by coupling to the last car of the train, and manages locomotion of the decoupled car to decelerate gradually and stop at the load/unload station.

In one embodiment the train system further comprises a series of sensors located both on the main track both before and after the station, and at various points on the side track, the sensors noting position of trains and cars, and transmitting information to the central computer system. Also in one embodiment the first main track makes a loop, passing each of the plurality of separated passenger stations in the loop, and repeating the loop. Also in one embodiment the two main tracks make a loop within a loop, with each main track having a side track at each passenger station. In one embodiment the main computer system manages passenger guidance displayed both inside and outside each passenger car, depending upon the position and deployment of each car.

In one embodiment passengers are guided by announcements and displays inside cars coupled to a moving train to move to correct cars designated for arrival at the station of their desired destinations. Also in one embodiment cars designated as arriving cars for an approaching station are closed to passenger movement between cars at some predetermined distance from the arriving station. Also in one embodiment passengers at a station are guided by displays on cars designated for departure and by announcements of what cars to enter and at what time. In one embodiment cars designated for departure are closed for passenger entry at a pre-determined time based on position of a train passing the station on the main track. And in one embodiment a fail-safe switch is positioned on the side track between the station loading platform and the switch entering the main track, and the fail-safe switch switches a departing car onto a fail-safe track to be safely decelerated in the event that a train has not passed the station at a pre-determined time.

In another aspect of the invention a method is provided, comprising decoupling a car carrying passengers destined for a passenger station, at the end of a train running on a main track at a controlled speed past the passenger station, before a first side-track switch ahead of the passenger station, operating the first side-track switch after the train has passed the first side-track switch to shunt the decoupled car that has not yet arrived at the side-track switch, onto a side track, resetting the side track switch after the decoupled car is on the side track, decelerating the decoupled car to stop at a platform along the side track at the station, to open and allow passengers in the car to depart, accelerating a car having passengers loaded at the platform and destined for other stations, along the side track away from the platform toward the main track while the train passes the station on the main track, operating a second side-track switch after the train has passed the station and cleared the second side track switch, to allow the accelerating car leaving the station to enter the main track behind the passing train, resetting the second side track switch after the accelerating car has entered the main track behind the train, and coupling the accelerating car to the end of the train as it reaches the last car of the train.

In one embodiment of the method switches are operated and decoupled cars are accelerated and decelerated, and coupling and decoupling is accomplished under control of one or both of a central computer system and on-board computers on the cars, in communication with the central computer system. Also in one embodiment control by the main computer system is accomplished with signals from sensors along the main track and the side track, both before and after the station, and at various points on the side track, the sensors noting position of trains and cars, and transmitting information to the central computer system. Also in one embodiment the passenger station is one of a plurality of passenger stations on the first main track, which makes a loop, passing each of the plurality of passenger stations in the loop, and repeating the loop. And in one embodiment there are two main tracks making a loop within a loop, with each main track having a side track at each passenger station.

In one embodiment of the method the main computer system manages passenger guidance displayed both inside and outside each passenger car, depending upon the position and deployment of each car. Also in one embodiment passengers are guided by announcements and displays inside cars coupled to a moving train to move to correct cars designated for arrival at the station of their desired destinations. Also in one embodiment cars designated as arriving cars for an approaching station are closed to passenger movement between cars at some predetermined distance from the arriving station. In one embodiment passengers at a station are guided by displays on cars designated for departure and by announcements what cars to enter and at what time. And in one embodiment cars designated for departure are closed for passenger entry at a pre-determined time based on position of a train passing the station on the main track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1Ashows an overview of a train system100according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a train system100that utilizes two main tracks101and102, but it is possible to create a system which utilizes any number of main tracks, including, but not limited to, a system that uses one main track with a well-planned series of rail switches to ensure safe operation. Each set of tracks101and102in train system100in this example is dedicated to a single direction for a plurality of trains running concurrently, and each set of tracks101and102are divided into segments, known as blocks in the art. In embodiments of the invention trains travel at a controlled speed on the main tracks, and do not stop at passenger stations, although there may be accommodations in the system to take trains out of operation for service or repairs. Passengers and freight are added to train, and subtracted from a train, by switching individual cars on and off the main tracks at load/unload stations, and coupling and decoupling the cars as needed.

Trains may include, but are not limited to, a locomotive108, and one or more passenger cars109. Some embodiments may utilize semi-permanent cars attached to locomotive108which may include, but are not limited to, a dining car, and a passenger car that does not automatically decouple, as do most passenger cars, as described in detail below. Locomotive108and passenger car109will be explained in further detail with reference toFIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B. It should be understood the locomotive108may be any sort of drive locomotive that is known in the art, and that in some circumstances, cars may be self-driven, and no separate locomotive may be needed.

Train system100has a plurality of stations103(1-n), which are described in further detail with reference toFIG. 1C, and elsewhere in the specification. Stations103(1-n) may be connected to a central computer system105via connections106(1-n). Connections106(1-n) may be, but are not limited to, a hardwired Ethernet connection, or a wireless broadcast. The central computer system also communicates over Wireless connection107(1-n) to and from vehicles that include, but are not limited to, locomotives, passenger cars, and other semi-permanently attached cars. The data being transmitted may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access, and may use any communications protocol commonly known in the art. The central computer system105may automatically control many aspects of the system, including, but not limited to, braking and acceleration of trains, locomotives, and passenger cars; controlling rail switching; track positioning, data relating to trains, locomotives, and passenger cars; and handling and issuing of emergency alerts.

Although no sidings, depots, or any other structures commonly found in a modern train system are shown in this embodiment, it is understood that these structures are not precluded from being implemented in a system without diverging from the core concept and scope of the present invention.

This concept may be implemented on a variety of configurations. Configurations could include one long run with the loop at both ends that would result in trains re-encountering stations in a different order than a simple circular arrangement. In some arrangements, a loop may not even be necessary at both ends. The trains could actually regularly come to a complete stop at either or both ends with the “non-stop” aspect implemented at the stations in-between.FIG. 1Bis an overview of an embodiment of the present invention showing a non-circular configuration that may result in trains regularly coming to a complete stop at both ends. This allows for a train that does not necessarily have to be electric. In this embodiment, while the main core train may not stop at stations in the middle of the configuration, passenger cars may be deployed to and from any station as needed. There are two main tracks shown, labeled101and102, as inFIG. 1A. The end areas110may be turn-around facilities combined with service and maintenance services.

Almost any mix of a variety of types of configurations and full stops (at ends of routes) may be possible to provide an express route for all. By strategic placing of rail switches, train systems can interleave via the passenger car queue (128) or even the main tracks to further expand the possibility of non-stop direct routes.

FIG. 1Cis an expanded view of a station120that is one side of a station that was presented in plurality inFIGS. 1A and 1Bas element number103(1-n). In this embodiment the top and bottom halves depicted in103(1-n) are functionally identical. In this regard, only components from half of station103(1-n) are expanded upon. Station120may have a main track121that passes through the station, analogous to one of main tracks101or102ofFIGS. 1A and 1B. There may also be a series of sensors, including a first main track sensor123, a second main track sensor124, and a third main track sensor125, in place along main track121. Additionally, a side track122may have a side track sensor126. These sensors (123,124,125, and126) may be used for operations that may require a more precise standard of timing than with a tracking system. Sensors123,124,125, and126may utilize any form of sensing including, but not limited to, proximity sensor, infrared sensor, motion sensor, radar, or sonar.

In addition to main track121, each station120may have a side track122that may be accessible via a first railway switch130. Side track122may lead to a station platform where an arriving passenger car127may unload passengers or packages. In some embodiments, there may be a train and platform dedicated for delivery of packages or other freight. Each station120may have a number of passenger cars128(1-n) available for loading of passengers or packages. When a departing passenger car129is ready to be deployed to join a passing train it may be accelerated along side track122away from the loading platform to get back onto main track121through switching of a second railway switch131. Optionally, to allow a switchless merge, a type of automatic-merging may be possible without the need for switch131. The steps for this process are described below inFIGS. 2A-2F.

In the event of a system failure, a fail-safe railway switch132will route the deploying passenger car129onto a fail-safe track133, where the departing passenger car129may be safely and comfortably decelerated. This illustration depicts only 5 passenger cars being utilized for each half, but it should be understood that the only limit that pertains to the number of cars that may be deployed, on standby for loading, and arriving may be space allotted to each station.

Any number of these station modules (120) may be inserted along train routes without impacting express times. It would be possible for such stations to be conveniently positioned every mile along a train route without slowing down any express routing.

The system in this embodiment will make use of a hybrid system in which the main tracks provide a source of voltage powering an electric locomotive, and side track122may use an electromagnetic rail system to provide locomotion to passenger cars109(1-n) without needing to equip each passenger car with its own engine or motors, although in some embodiments the passenger cars may indeed be self-powered in any way known in the art. There may also be an embodiment in which main tracks are on a different ground elevation from platforms found in station120. For instance, main tracks may be underground, and station120may be above ground. (While man-made braking and propulsion systems may fail, this arrangement guarantees infallible gravitational forces that will help slow-down incoming rail cars and help speed-up outgoing cars.) It should be understood that any combination of train systems may be used without diverging from the teachings of the inventive concept of the present invention.

FIG. 2Ais an illustration showing a train202having three cars approaching a station on a main track121.FIGS. 2B to 2Gare stop-motion examples of the steps that may occur as the train travels past the station on a main track. InFIG. 2Ba train202travels by a main track121and reaches and triggers a first main track sensor123at a station200. Train202at that point receives instructions from central computer system105to decouple any passenger cars, necessarily at the rear of the train, predesignated as an arriving car127. This particular example shows one car127decoupling as train202reaches a first main track sensor123, but it should be understood that more cars may be decoupled depending on the number of passengers that intend to stop at this station200. Another passenger car may become designated as an arriving car if the current passenger car cannot accommodate the number of passengers scheduled for arrival at the station. In this case, an onboard computer system may report the status to the central computer system105and the next car up may also become designated as an arriving car.

InFIG. 2Ctrain202clears first main track sensor123and a first railway switch130is positioned by control of central computer system105to allow arriving passenger car127to travel off of main track121and onto side track122that leads to a passenger platform. Side track122in this embodiment uses an electromagnetic rail system to provide locomotion as well as slowing and stopping power for any passenger cars that happen to be on side track122. Side track122begins decelerating arriving passenger car127as soon as it enters side track122. Train202keeps traveling on the main track121at its controlled speed without stopping. In one embodiment, a departing passenger car129predesignated to deploy from station200begins to accelerate by the electromagnetic rail system of side track122when the train clears the first main track sensor123. In another embodiment, deployment of passenger car129is held off until the train clears the second main track sensor124.

InFIG. 2Ddecoupled passenger car127clears a side track sensor126, which causes railway switch130to reset into a position to allow a next train to pass. Arriving passenger car127continues to be decelerated by the electromagnetic rail system until it reaches a complete stop behind any other cars at the station that will be automatically moved forward as necessary to make room for the arriving car. When it is safe to do so, doors may open to allow passengers to get off of arriving passenger car127. InFIG. 2Etrain202clears a third main track sensor125, and as a result a second railway switch131and a fail-safe switch132are switched to allow the departing passenger car129to leave side track122and to enter main track121. In a fail scenario, such as a case where the train202doesn't clear the third main track sensor125in time, departing passenger car129may not enter the main track, and may be directed to a fail-safe track133where departing passenger car129may be safely and comfortably decelerated by the electromagnetic rail system and allow passengers to be evacuated.

InFIG. 2Fdeparting passenger car129successfully makes it onto main track121and clears the third main track sensor125. This puts fail-safe switch132and second railway switch131back into position to handle the fail scenario, and to keep train traffic on main track121. At some point, departing passenger car129has built up enough speed from the electromagnetic propulsion system to catch up to train202. Once departing passenger car129reaches train202, it automatically couples with train202. Once a solid connection is confirmed by an onboard computer system, passengers are allowed to move freely to and from the now attached departing passenger car129.FIG. 2Gshows train202with car129joined to the train, with the train traveling away from the station.

FIG. 3shows an example of an electric locomotive300that may be used to implement various embodiments of the present invention. Electric locomotive300may have a pantograph301mounted on the roof in order to receive power from an overhead powerline306. Powerline306is commonly implemented in an electric rail system, and may be present over the entire lengths of the main tracks. Alternatively, power may be received from the undercarriage over a powered “third rail” system that may be present over the entire lengths of the main tracks, or from rails through the wheels, for example. The power received by pantograph301or the powered rail or rails is passed through an internal system of electronic components to power traction motors302. Traction motors302provide torque to wheels307to move the train along a track.

Each locomotive may have a driver cab304, where a conductor may reside during operation of the electric locomotive300. The driver cab304may have an onboard computer system303, previously described, and its functions may include, but are not limited to, automatically keeping track of the status of various components of the locomotive, controlling emergency systems in the case of system failure, and sending and receiving status updates for passenger data and passenger cars that may connect and disconnect throughout the operation of this embodiment of the present invention. Computer system303may allow a conductor to engage certain functions manually if a circumstance in which it is necessary arises.

Electric locomotive300may also have a coupler305with fully automatic capabilities. In some embodiments, cars that are semi-permanent fixtures in a train may be used. In such cases, coupler305may not necessarily be a fully-automatic coupler.

FIG. 4Ais an illustration of an example passenger car400that may be used in various embodiments of the present invention. Passenger car400may have one or more doors408to allow passengers to enter or leave passenger car400. This illustration only shows two sets of doors, but more or fewer doors may be used. Each set of doors408may have an exterior electronic sign401installed overhead, along with an automatic passenger counter (APC) system402. Electronic sign401may be used to display information including, but not limited to, countdown until the passenger car400departs, or closing of doors, using data gathered by APC system402, to display the number of passengers that are currently onboard the passenger car400, whether the passenger car is available for boarding, and current designation status. Passenger car400may have a diaphragm407in place at both ends to create a weatherproof seal after being coupled with other passenger cars, so that passengers may comfortably move from one passenger car to another regardless of weather conditions.

Passenger car400may have a battery404to power electronics onboard, including, but not limited to, interior signage, exterior signage, emergency braking systems, and an onboard computer405. Onboard computer405may be responsible for, but is not limited to, automatically sending and receiving status updates to the central computer system, receiving instructions from the central computer system or onboard computer systems of other cars, control of doors on passenger car400, and adjusting displays installed in the interior to present relevant information to onboard passengers.

FIG. 4Bis an illustration of the underside of passenger car400according to one embodiment. Passenger car400may have a ferromagnetic plate409securely attached to provide enough magnetic polarity to interact with an electromagnetic rail system. The operation described above regarding one station, one side track and one train on one main track is meant to describe the operation at any of the plurality of stations regardless of the number of main tracks, trains, directions, and so forth.

FIG. 5is a flowchart of a method500that outlines the operation of an express train system from the perspective of a train currently traveling on a main track according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step501, the train enters a pre-determined boundary for an upcoming station. This boundary may be determined in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, a measure of time, a geo-fence, and any method used in the art to determine presence of a train on a segment of track, such as a block system. At step502, access to one or more predesignated arriving passenger cars, at the end of the train, is closed off, and passengers, who have been previously directed to this car as designated for their destination station, are instructed to be seated, or secure their positions to prepare for stopping. Access to one or more predesignated departing cars waiting at the upcoming station platform is also closed off. This may occur after a pre-determined timespan after entering the station boundaries, so that passengers may have time to move to a correct passenger car. There may be another period of time from when access is closed off to the beginning of step503in order to allow passengers to secure themselves. At step503, if no passengers are reported to be onboard any predesignated arriving passenger car and a need has not arisen to replenish pending outgoing passenger cars (i.e.128) at the upcoming stations, step504occurs. At step504any input from the first main track sensor is disregarded. Returning to step503, if there are passengers on board one or more designated arriving passenger cars or a need has arisen to transfer passenger cars to upcoming stations, step505occurs. At step505, the train reaches a first main track sensor. Passenger cars that have been designated as arriving cars, automatically decouple from the train. At step507, one or more arriving passenger cars begin a parking process which is described below with reference toFIG. 6in a method600. At step506, if no passengers are reported to be onboard any of the designated departing cars and it is determined that cars do not need to be sent from this station to another station, step508occurs. At step508, input from the second and third main track sensors are disregarded. Returning to step506, if there are passengers onboard one or more predesignated departing passenger cars or it is determined that cars need to be sent from this station to another station (passenger car queue128approaching full capacity or request of pending shortage of passenger cars from other stations, among others are possibilities), step509occurs. At step509, a departing passenger car deployment process begins which is described below inFIG. 7in a method700.

FIG. 6is a flowchart of a method600that describes an arriving car parking process according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step601, the train clears the first main track sensor, in other words, all currently connected cars and locomotive have passed the first main track sensor, and a first railway switch (130) positions to guide one or more arriving cars (127) onto a side track (122). At step602the one or more arriving cars clears a side track sensor and the first railway switch changes back to its previous position to keep further train traffic on the main track. At step603, arriving passenger cars are gradually, and comfortably decelerated by the electromagnetic rail system, until they come to a full stop. At this point, the one or more arriving cars receive a signal from a central computer system to allow unloading of passengers. At step604, doors open on the one or more arriving passenger cars, allowing passengers to get off.

FIG. 7is a flowchart of a method700that describes a departing car deployment process according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step701the train clears the first main track sensor (this can be held off until the train clears the second main track sensor). Departing passenger cars begin to be accelerated by the electromagnetic rail system of the side track. At step702, the third main track sensor may report to the central computer system whether the train has passed. If the train has not passed within a certain window of time, step703comes into effect. A fail-safe switch maintains its current position and guides one or more deploying cars onto a fail-safe track. At step705, the one or more departing passenger cars are decelerated to a full stop by the electromagnetic rail system of the side track, and onboard passengers are evacuated. If the third main track sensor reports that the train has properly passed, step704occurs. At step704a second railway switch131and fail-safe railway switch132are positioned to allow one or more departing vehicles to travel onto the main track. At step706, the one or more departing cars clears the third main track sensor, and the second railway switch and fail-safe railway switch return to their previous positions, which guides any future departing cars to the fail-safe track, while keeping train traffic on the main track.

It should be noted that real-time communication between the on-board and central computer systems, and feedback control is utilized to ensure that the departing passenger car achieves the correct speed at the right time to avoid the fail-safe system operation, which will only come into effect if, for some reason, the train traveling at a controlled speed on the main track is somehow delayed in clearing the third main track sensor.

At step707, the one or more departing cars catch up to the train and automatically couple. Distance between the train and one or more departing cars may be determined with methods such as, but not limited to, use of proximity sensors, and global position tracking data recorded and analyzed by a central computer system. If the speed of the one or more departing cars as they close in to the train is determined to be unsafe, the central computer system may engage an emergency braking system present on every passenger car through wireless signals received by an onboard computer. The electromagnetic propulsion system used on side track122is also incorporated for some distance on the main track both before and after the side track switches, to manage car locomotion and deceleration for any car decoupling from the main train, and locomotion and acceleration for cars leaving a station and approaching a passing train to couple. If decoupling or coupling is not confirmed within a certain distance, this is flagged to the central computer to determine what to do next (system shutdown or some type of a work around).

At step709it is determined whether a proper coupling of the departing car was accomplished in a pre-determined time window. If yes, control passes to step708.

At step708, once the departing car or cars are safely coupled, a seal is formed by the diaphragm installed at the ends of every passenger car. Once a solid coupling connection is confirmed by the local onboard computer system of the one or more newly attached departing cars, passengers may move to other attached passenger cars.

If, at step709, it is determined that the departing car did not properly couple to the train, then control passes to step710, and an emergency mode is entered, which may result in the train being stopped, and steps taken to retrieve the departing car and its passengers.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of a method800that outlines operation of an express train system from the perspective of the one or more arriving passenger cars according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step801, if a passenger car becomes designated as an arriving car, digital signs in that car may display that information to passengers. The digital signs may include, but are not limited to, marquee style lights with the ability to display alphanumeric characters and symbols, a digital map with a list and indicator for each station present in a train system, and display screens, such as, but not limited to, monitors or television screens. At step802, the train enters boundaries of an upcoming station. At step803, a public announcement system announces to all onboard passengers that the next stop is coming up, and instructs passengers who wish to disembark at this station to move to one or more designated arriving cars located at the end of the train. At step804, a countdown begins and is displayed on the digital displays. Undesignated cars may have displays that instructs passengers to move to a designated arriving car if they wish to stop at the upcoming station, while designated cars may have displays that indicates that the present car is designated as an arriving car. At step805, the countdown reaches zero and access to the one or more designated arriving cars are closed, and the public address system may instruct passengers to be seated, or secure their positions. After a period of time, step806occurs. At step806, the train reaches a first main track sensor (123), and the arriving car parking process outlined inFIG. 6begins.

FIG. 9is a flowchart of a method900that outlines operation of an express train system from the perspective of a station platform according to one embodiment of the present invention. At step901, passenger cars are waiting at station platform. Digital signs mounted on the exterior of each car display relevant information which may include, but is not limited to, number of passengers currently onboard that particular car, and whether that particular car has been designated for departure. At step902a train enters station boundaries, and the exterior digital displays may now display a countdown until access to one or more departing cars will be closed. At step903, a station public address system announces that departure will be happening soon, and instructs passengers to board a predesignated departing car if they wish to depart on the next train. At step904, countdown on digital displays on one or more departing cars reaches zero, and access to the one or more departing cars is closed-off. At step905, as the train clears the first main track sensor, the one or more predesignated departing cars begin the deployment process ofFIG. 7. (This action can also be held off until the train clears the second main track sensor.)

FIG. 10is a flowchart of a method1000that outlines how an emergency involving stopped cars on a main track may be handled according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment may implement an automatic block signaling system (ABS), in which lengths of tracks are divided into segments, referred to as blocks. These blocks are reported to a central computer system as occupied whether it is an emergency situation or not. For the purposes of this method, an emergency scenario involving vehicles stopped on one or more blocks will be used.

In step1001, one or more passenger cars may have become decoupled due to system failure, or an entire train may have stopped due to system failure. In step1002, the one of more blocks that are occupied with stopped vehicles are reported to the central computer system as occupied. In step1003, blocks adjacent to the one or more blocks with the stopped vehicles are marked as occupied by the central computer system. In step1004, any incoming trains will receive a stop signal, or instructions from the central computer system to an onboard computer system of an incoming to automatically brake before a collision occurs.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art, that the embodiments described above are specific examples of a single broader invention which may have greater scope than any of the singular descriptions taught. There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.