Patent ID: 11472451

Abstract:
An automated warning time inspection system (5) and method to test a warning time (45) at a railroad grade crossing (25) on each route for a train (30). The automated warning time inspection system (5) comprises a track circuit (12) configured to activate when a train (30) enters the track circuit (12), an event recorder (17) configured to record a first log time (35(1)) for activation of a crossing warning system (15), a camera (20) to detect a first motion detection indication (40(1)) in a motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) if there is any motion and an island circuit (22) to detect a presence of the train (30) as the train (30) enters an island (42). The event recorder (17) to record a third log time (35(3)) for switch position indications when present. The event recorder (17) to record a fourth log time (35(4)) for activation of the island circuit (22). The camera (20) to detect a second motion detection indication (40(2)) in the motion detection zone (10) of the camera (20) after the activation of the island circuit (22) if there is any motion. The event recorder (17) to calculate and record a warning time (45) as a difference between the first log time (35(1) and the third log time (35(3)) and based on a motion detection before or after the activation of the island circuit (22) and whether the warning time (45) was more than or equal to a threshold time (50) and whether the train (30) was travelling more than or equal to a threshold speed (52) a passing or a failing of the warning time (45) inspection is logged into the event recorder (17) in a given route (55) of the train (30) travelling on the train track (7).