Railroad crossing indication device, railroad crossing indication system, and method for displaying information at railroad crossings

A railroad crossing indication device (250) includes a processing unit (350) for receiving and processing data provided by a constant warning time device (40) in communication with a railroad track (20), wherein the data relate to a train approaching the railroad crossing, and a screen unit (300, 400, 500) for displaying information of the train approaching the railroad crossing based upon the data provided by the constant warning time device (40). Furthermore, a railroad crossing indication system (200) and a method (600) for displaying information at railroad crossings are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2015/047656 filed 31 Aug. 2015 and claims benefit thereof, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a railroad crossing indication device, a railroad crossing indication system and a method for displaying information at railroad crossings.

2. Description of the Related Art

A constant warning time device, also referred to as a grade crossing predictor (GCP) in the U.S. or a level crossing predictor in the U.K., is an electronic device that is connected to the rails of a railroad track and is configured to detect the presence of an approaching train and determine its speed and distance from a crossing, i.e., a location at which the tracks cross a road, sidewalk or other surface used by moving objects. The constant warning time device will use this information to generate a constant warning time signal for controlling a crossing warning device. A crossing warning device is a device that warns of the approach of a train at a crossing, examples of which include crossing gate arms (e.g., the familiar black and white striped wooden arms often found at highway grade crossings to warn motorists of an approaching train), crossing lights (such as the red flashing lights often found at highway grade crossings in conjunction with the crossing gate arms discussed above), and/or crossing bells or other audio alarm devices. Constant warning time devices are often, but not always, configured to activate the crossing warning device at a fixed time, e.g., 30 seconds, prior to an approaching train arriving at a crossing.

Motorists have always had waiting/patience problems with railroad crossings. They ignore the lights, try to circumvent the crossing gates, and get frustrated while waiting for a train to pass. Sometimes, motorists and pedestrians ignore the warning signs because they cannot see the train coming, don't think there is danger present, or are too impatient to wait. Some motorists underestimate the danger associated with railroad crossings and how circumventing safety systems can have seriously negative consequences. There are also several examples of motorists driving through crossing gates and striking the side of a moving train. Thus, there exists a need to convey additional information at railroad crossings so that motorists will be deterred from circumventing the provided safety systems.

SUMMARY

Briefly described, aspects of the present invention relate to railroad crossing indication device, a railroad crossing indication system, and a method for displaying information at railroad crossings. The term ‘railroad crossing’ is also known and herein referred to as ‘railroad grade crossing’ or ‘grade crossing’.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a railroad crossing indication device comprising a processing unit configured to receive and process data provided by a constant warning time device in communication with a railroad track, wherein the data relate to a train approaching a railroad track, and a screen unit configured to display information of the train approaching the railroad crossing based upon the data provided by the constant warning time device.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a railroad crossing indication system comprising a constant warning time device in communication with a railroad track, at least one railroad crossing warning device located at a railroad crossing in communication with the constant warning time device, and a railroad crossing indication device located in proximity to the railroad crossing and the at least one railroad crossing warning device, and in communication with the constant warning time device, wherein the railroad crossing indication device displays information relating to a train approaching the railroad crossing based upon data of the train approaching the railroad crossing provided by the constant warning time device.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method for displaying information at a railroad crossing comprising providing data by a constant warning time device which is in communication with a railroad track, the data relating to a train approaching a railroad crossing, receiving the data by a railroad crossing indication device located in proximity to the railroad crossing and operably coupled to the constant warning time device, and displaying, by a screen unit of the railroad crossing indication device, information of the train approaching the railroad crossing using the data provided by the constant warning time device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To facilitate an understanding of embodiments, principles, and features of the present invention, they are explained hereinafter with reference to implementation in illustrative embodiments. In particular, they are described in the context of being a railroad crossing indication device, a railroad crossing indication system, and method for displaying information at railroad crossings, in particular in connection with constant warning time devices, also referred to as grade crossing predictor (GCP) or grade crossing predictor system (GCP system). Embodiments of the present invention, however, are not limited to use in the described devices or methods.

Typical constant warning time devices include a transmitter that transmits a signal over a circuit formed by the track's rails and one or more termination shunts positioned at desired approach distances from the transmitter, a receiver that detects one or more resulting signal characteristics, and a logic circuit such as a microprocessor or hardwired logic that detects the presence of a train and determines its speed and distance from the crossing. The approach distance depends on the maximum allowable speed of a train, the desired warning time, and a safety factor. Preferred embodiments of constant warning time devices generate and transmit a constant current AC signal on said track circuit; constant warning time devices detect a train and determine its distance and speed by measuring impedance changes caused by the train's wheels and axles acting as a shunt across the rails, which effectively shortens the length, and hence lowers the impedance, of the rails in the circuit. Multiple constant warning devices can monitor a given track circuit if each device measures track impedance at a different frequency.

FIG. 1illustrates a known railroad track system10in accordance with a disclosed embodiment. The railroad track system10is provided at a location in which a road30crosses a railroad track20. The crossing of the road30and the railroad track20forms an island32.

The railroad track20includes two rails20a,20band a plurality of ties (not shown inFIG. 1) that are provided over and within railroad ballast (not shown inFIG. 1) to support the rails20a,20b.The rails20a,20bare shown as including inductors20c. The inductors20c,however, are not separate physical devices but rather are shown to illustrate the inherent distributed inductance of the rails20a,20b.

The system10includes a constant warning time device40, also referred to as GCP or GCP system that comprises a transmitter that connects to the rails20a,20bat transmitter connection points T1, T2on one side of the road30via transmitter wires42. The constant warning time device40also comprises a main receiver that connects to the rails20a,20bat main receiver connection points R1, R2on the other side of the road30via receiver wires44. The receiver wires44are also referred to as main channel receiver wires. The constant warning time device40further comprises a check receiver that connects to the rails20a,20bat check receiver connection points C1, C2via check channel receiver wires46. The check channel receiver wires46are connected to the track20on the same side of the road30as the transmitter wires42, resulting in a six-wire system. The main channel receiver and check channel receiver operate in much the same manner with an incoming train move, providing a parallel check of the main channel operation. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the transmitter and receivers (main channel receiver and check channel receiver), other than the physical conductors that connect to the track20, are often co-located in an enclosure located on one side of the road30. The constant warning time device40includes a control unit50connected to the transmitter and receivers. The control unit includes logic, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof, for calculating train speed, distance and direction, and producing constant warning time signals for the crossing.

Also shown inFIG. 1is a pair of termination shunts S1, S2, one on each side of the road30at a desired distance from the center of the island32, e.g., 3000 feet. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 1is not drawn to scale and that both shunts S1, S2are approximately the same distance away from the center of the island32. The termination shunts S1, S2can be embodied for example as narrow band shunts (NBS).FIG. 1further illustrates an island circuit34which is the area between transmitter connection points T1, T2and main receiver connection points R1, R2. For example, the constant warning time device40monitors the island circuit34as well as approach circuits36which lie to the right and left of the island circuit34, i.e., between the island circuit34and the termination shunts S1, S2.

Typically, the shunts S1, S2positioned on both sides of the road30and the associated constant warning time device40are tuned to the same frequency. This way, the transmitter can continuously transmit one AC signal having one frequency, the receiver can measure the voltage response of the rails20a,20band the control unit50can make impedance and constant warning time determinations based on the one specific frequency. When a train crosses one of the termination shunts S1, S2, the train's wheels and axles act as shunts, which lowers the inductance, impedance and voltage measured by the corresponding control unit50. Measuring the change in the impedance indicates the distance of the train, and measuring the rate of change of the impedance (or integrating the impedance over time) allows the speed of the train to be determined.

FIG. 2illustrates an example railroad crossing indication system200in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein.FIG. 2illustrates a railroad track system10as described for example inFIG. 1, wherein only the railroad track20, the road30, and the GCP system40are labeled withinFIG. 2.

FIG. 2shows one or more railroad crossing warning devices, also referred to as grade crossing warning devices, which warn of the approach of a train at the crossing of the road30and the railroad track20, i.e., a railroad crossing. The railroad crossing warning devices include for example a crossing gate arm210with (or without) gate arm lights212spaced along the arm210, crossing lights220, a railroad crossbuck230, and/or other devices not illustrated herein, as for example crossing bells or other audio alarm devices. The crossing warning devices are in communication with the GCP system40of the system10via connecting elements240, which are for example electric cables. It should be noted that the components ofFIG. 2are illustrated schematically and are not drawn to scale, in particular are not drawn to scale in relation to each other.

As described before, the GCP system40is configured to detect the presence of an approaching train, determine its speed and distance from the railroad crossing, calculates when the train will arrive at the crossing, and will use this information to generate constant warning time signals for controlling the crossing warning devices210,212,220,230. Typically, a normally energized master relay232, only shown schematically herein, is arranged between the GCP system40and the warning devices210,212,220,230, for example along the connecting elements240and operably coupled by the connecting elements240, wherein an output of the GCP system40feeds a coil of the master relay232. According to a pre-programmed time, for example a number of seconds and/or minutes, before projected arrival time of the approaching train, the GCP system40is configured such that the output feeding the coil of the master relay232is turned off to drop the master relay232and to activate the crossing warning devices210,212,220,230. It should be noted that the GCP system40, the master relay232and the warning time devices210,212,220,230will not be described in further detail as those of ordinary skill in the art are familiar with these devices and systems.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the railroad crossing indication system200further comprises a railroad crossing indication device250, also referred to as indication device250herein. As described before, motorists have always had waiting/patience problems with railroad crossings. They ignore the lights, try to circumvent the crossing gates, and get frustrated while waiting for a train to pass. The indication device250conveys additional information at the railroad crossing so that motorists will be deterred from circumventing the provided safety systems, which are for example the warning devices210,212,220,230. In an embodiment, the indication device250is mounted to a support234of at least one of the warning devices210,212,220,230. Alternatively, the indication device250can be mounted to a separate support in proximity to the railroad crossing, such as for example a separate post or any other suitable support base provided in a way that motorist can easily see the indication device250while waiting for a train to pass.

FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment of a railroad crossing indication device250in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The railroad crossing indication device250comprises a processing unit350configured to receive and process data provided by the constant warning time device40, for example via the connecting elements240(see alsoFIG. 2). The indication device250comprises a screen unit300configured to display information of the train approaching the railroad crossing based upon the data provided by the constant warning time device40. As described before, the GCP system40detects the presence of an approaching train, determines its speed and distance from the railroad crossing, and calculates when the train will arrive at the crossing. This data is now transmitted to the indication device250, wherein the processing unit350receives and processes these data, i.e., uses these data to convey additional information about the approaching train, as for example train speed, direction of the train, proximity of the train, time of arrival of the train at the railroad crossing, time the train takes to pass the railroad crossing (how long does it take for the train to pass the railroad crossing after arriving at the railroad crossing, for example in combination with a countdown timer or progression bar counting down the minutes and/or seconds until the train has passed the railroad crossing) etc. to the waiting motorists. This way, the indication device250uses data that are already being provided by the GCP system40to display relevant safety, warning, and convenience information. The processing unit350of the indication device250is illustrated as separate unit, but can also be integrated into the indication device250. The processing unit350is configured to receive the data from the GCP system40and to process the data. Processing can mean that the data are at least read and simply forwarded to the screen unit300for display. Processing can also mean that the data are at least read, interpreted and that associated/corresponding information is selected and/or provided for display on the screen unit300. Processing can also mean that the received data from the GCP system40are transformed into a different format. For example, the data received by the indication device250includes that the approaching train will arrive at the railroad crossing in 3 minutes. The processing unit350receives the data and can select and provide for example a corresponding countdown timer counting down in seconds and/or minutes to the arrival of the train at the crossing. Thus, the processing unit350includes logic, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art can contemplate many other ways, formats and templates in which the data of the GCP system40are displayed on the screen unit300of the indication device250.

The screen unit300, also referred to herein as display or simply screen, can comprises multiple screen sections, for example sections310,320,330displaying different elements or features, such as for example current time in section310, current temperature in section320and a picture of an approaching train in section330. The screen300can further comprise section340illustrating a graphical element visualizing progression of an approaching train. InFIG. 3, the graphical element is a progress bar342or progress indicator. Other types of elements showing progression of an approaching train can be used, for example a countdown clock or countdown timer counting down in seconds and/or minutes to the arrival of a train at the railroad crossing. One of ordinary skill understands that many other elements can be displayed on the indication screen300as well as that the different elements illustrated in the multiple sections310,320,330can be in colour, black and white, or a combination thereof. For example, many different graphical elements, elements to be displayed, patterns, templates, etc. can be stored within the indication device250, for example in a memory unit integrated into the indication device250, wherein the processing unit350can be configured such that specific patterns or elements are selected according to specific received data from the GCP system40.

FIG. 4illustrates a further embodiment of a railroad crossing indication screen unit400of a railroad crossing indication device250. The example screen400displays the time when a next train passes through the railroad crossing. According to the example ofFIG. 4, the next train passes through the crossing at 06:05 am.

FIG. 5illustrates a further embodiment of a railroad crossing indication screen500of a railroad crossing indication device250. The indication screen500can comprise two sections510,540. Section540comprises a progress bar542or progress indicator visualizing progression of an approaching train. Section510provides space for showing any desired information, as chosen for example by a railroad owner. InFIG. 5, section510is used for showing entertainment programs such as for example movies, sports events, news, etc. For example, section510can show results of a current soccer game, for example as part of news.

There are many other types of information and/or programs that can be displayed on the indication device250while waiting for a train passing through the railroad crossing, such as for example safety tips, train speed, direction of train approach, train proximity, time the train takes to pass the railroad crossing, etc. An attractive option, in particular for railroad owners, is to display advertising/commercials on the indication device250, for example with reference toFIG. 5in section510, while waiting for the approaching train. This option can provide additional revenue for the railroad owners. Programs such as movies and advertising can be loaded and stored in the indication device250directly, for example in a memory device integrated in and/or operably coupled to the indication device250. Other programs such as news and sports events can be broadcasted for example via local television programs using for example a television antenna coupled to the indication device250. One of ordinary skill in the art can easily conceive many other options how to provide and display information and programs on the indication device250, for example using the Internet.

During a break until a next train will arrive at the railroad crossing after the present train has passed the crossing, the indication device250can be turned off, for example if the break is long, for example one hour or more, and then turned on again before the next train arrives at the crossing, for example simultaneously with when the GCP system40detects an approaching train and sends signals to active the warning devices210,212,220,230(seeFIG. 2). If the break in between consecutive trains is relatively short, for example less than one hour, the indication device250can continue to display information as for example illustrated inFIG. 4. It should be noted that the indication device250can always be in operation or turned on/off during specific times, as desired for example by the railroad owner.

By using an engaging display to convey important information such as for example train speed, train direction of approach, train proximity, time of arrival of train at the crossing and/or time the train takes to pass the railroad crossing, motorists will be deterred from circumventing installed safety systems. If a motorist has a better understanding of how long a train takes to arrive, how fast or close it is to the grade crossing, or how long until a train passes, they will be further deterred from attempting to circumvent safety systems.

FIG. 6illustrates a flow chart of a method600for displaying information at railroad crossings in accordance with a railroad crossing indication system200and railroad crossing indication device250as described herein. In step610, data is provided by the constant warning time device40which is in communication with a railroad track20(see for exampleFIG. 2), wherein the data relate to a train approaching a railroad crossing. According to step620, the data are received and processed by the railroad crossing indication device250(see for exampleFIG. 3) located in proximity to the railroad crossing and operably coupled to the constant warning time device40. A screen unit300,400,500of the railroad crossing indication device250(see for exampleFIG. 3) displays corresponding information of the train approaching the railroad crossing using the data provided by the constant warning time device40(step630).

The described railroad crossing indication device and system allow railroad owners to equip new railroad crossings or to retrofit existing crossings with more accurate and safer warnings to motorists via a real time display. The concept can be integrated into future and currently deployed railroad crossings, in particular railroad crossings comprising a GCP system, because information which is already being provided by the GCP system is used to display relevant safety, warning, and convenience information. The disclosed device and system will further provide a convenience for motorists by indicating how soon the train will pass. Both will lead to a reduction in the ignoring of safety warnings by abating motorist impatience.