Patent ID: 7840338

Claim:
An apparatus for monitoring and controlling traffic of public transport means, in particular trains, comprising centralized electronic and computerized units ( 11 ) dedicated to control adjacent traffic areas having a determined layout and extension, and devices ( 12 , 12 ′) mounted in every vehicle to be controlled, characterized in that said devices ( 12 , 12 ′) comprise: receiving/transmitting means configured to connect said devices ( 12 , 12 ′) to said centralized units ( 11 ), which continuously receive, at fixed time intervals, from each of said devices ( 12 , 12 ′), identification data of the vehicle where devices ( 12 , 12 ′) are installed, process said data according to special algorithms stored in said centralized units ( 11 ), and, display on a visualization means ( 16 ) data relating to the position and to other characteristics of every vehicle in the monitored traffic area and provide, in case of detected anomalous traffic situations, proper alarm signals to said devices ( 12 , 12 ′) as well as signals for operating driving means of the vehicle, wherein said driving means are interfaced with said devices ( 12 , 12 ′); at least one microcomputer unit ( 20 , 20 ′); a GPS via satellite transmitting and receiving means ( 21 , 21 ′); further transmitting and receiving means ( 22 , 22 ′), wherein said further transmitting and receiving means ( 22 , 22 ′) are configured to directly connect each of the devices ( 12 , 12 ′) where said transmitting and receiving means ( 22 , 22 ′) are located, to similar devices ( 12 , 12 ′) mounted in other vehicles; interface means ( 23 , 23 ′) to connect to sensors which are in the vehicle where said devices ( 12 , 12 ′) are mounted; and interface means ( 24 , 24 ′) to connect to alarm devices installed in said vehicle and to said driving means of the vehicle.