Railroad Crossing Warning System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a warning system for displaying a warning message to a vehicle approaching a railroad crossing. The railroad crossing includes a railroad along which a train can travel, and a road crossing the railroad and along which the vehicle can travel. The warning system includes an identification system for identifying at least one identity characteristic (e.g. number plate, vehicle type, etc.) relating to the vehicle. A train detection system detects at least one train characteristic (e.g. presence, position, speed) relating to the train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad. A vehicle detection system detects at least one vehicle characteristic (e.g. presence, position, speed) relating to the vehicle approaching the railroad crossing along the road. The warning system further includes a display system for displaying the warning message to the vehicle responsive to detecting both the train and vehicle characteristics.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention generally relates to railroad crossing warning systems.BACKGROUND[0002]The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.[0003]A railroad crossing (also called a level crossing) is a crossing of a railroad by a road. Railroad crossings are often fitted with warning devices such as lights, bells and automatic boom gates to warn vehicles to give way to approaching trains.[0004]In practice, many vehicles routinely travel along the same roads which conditions drivers to pay lesser attention to familiar surroundings including the warning devices. Some drivers notice the warning devices, although fail to properly obey them. In spite of the existence of these warning devices, accidents at railway crossings remain a serious concern with many accidents continuing to occur because of a failure to notice or o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0032]The vehicle detection means may electrically detect the presence, position or speed of the vehicle. The vehicle detection means may include magnetic, radar, infrared or video proximity sensing devices. The vehicle detection means may be configured to continually transmit the position and speed of the vehicle to the controller when the vehicle is within a predetermined distance of the crossing, thereby enabling the controller to dynamically estimate the vehicle arrival time at the crossing.

Problems solved by technology

Some drivers notice the warning devices, although fail to properly obey them.

In spite of the existence of these warning devices, accidents at railway crossings remain a serious concern with many accidents continuing to occur because of a failure to notice or obey the warning devices.

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