Patent ID: 6845953

Claim:
A system for controlling a train, the system comprising: a control unit; a warning device in communication with the control unit; a brake interface unit, the brake interface unit being in communication with the control unit and a train brake, the brake interface unit being operable to activate the train brake under control of the control unit; and a transceiver, the transceiver being located on the train and being in communication with the control unit; wherein the control unit is configured to perform the steps of transmitting an interrogation message to a track circuit transceiver associated with a track circuit; listening for a response from the track circuit transceiver, the response including an indication as to a condition of a section of track monitored by the track circuit; allowing the train to continue if a response with an indication that it is safe for the train to proceed is received; and activating the warning device if the response indicates that it is not safe for the train to proceed.