Patent ID: 8280567

Claim:
An apparatus for verifying clearance of a rail crossing, comprising: a clearance system which comprises: (a) a camera; (b) a video combiner operatively coupled to the camera; (c) a processor programmed to generate a unique code; and (d) a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the camera and the video combiner; (e) wherein the clearance system is programmed to: (i) detect the presence of a train near the crossing; (ii) combine one or more images of the crossing captured by the camera with the unique code to create a combined image; and (iii) transmit the combined image to a display of an operator control unit disposed at a location external to the train; and a locomotive control unit carried on board the train which is programmed to: (i) wait for a message from the operator control unit, the message containing the unique code; and (ii) in response to reception of the unique code, permit further operation of the train and in absence of the unique code, carry out an automatic response which prevents movement of the train through the crossing.