Failsafe Sensor System for Railroad Crossing Preemption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing railroad crossing detection systems are sub-optimal in efficiently managing vehicle traffic flow at adjacent intersections, often causing unnecessary disruption and delay, and require costly and complex track circuits that increase maintenance and liability for railroad organizations.
Innovation Solution
A redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor system using multiple radar sensors, including side-fired dual-beam and ultra-wideband impulse radar devices, to detect train presence, speed, and heading independently of railroad equipment, providing advanced preemption signals to traffic controllers without direct interface with railroad systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional railroad crossing detection systems using track circuits are used, then train detection capability is provided, but system complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical track circuits with a sensor-based detection system using radar and other non-mechanical sensors to detect train presence, speed, and heading, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensor system that detects train parameters independently of railroad equipment, acting as a mediator between the train and the traffic control system, eliminating the need for direct track circuit integration
2Reliability
If traditional railroad crossing detection systems are used, then train detection is achieved, but maintenance costs and liability for railroad organizations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs self-assessment and continuous health monitoring, enabling the system to detect and report its own operational status without requiring external maintenance personnel, thereby reducing maintenance costs and liability
Solution Approach 2:
By using an independent sensor system as an intermediary that does not require integration with railroad equipment, the patent eliminates the need for railroad organizations to maintain additional infrastructure, reducing their maintenance burden and liability
3Productivity
If advance preemption signals are provided to traffic controllers, then vehicle traffic flow efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system performs multiple functions including detecting train presence, measuring train speed, determining train heading, and providing advance preemption signals, thereby improving traffic flow efficiency while avoiding the need for separate systems for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates expected train arrival times based on current sensor data and provides advance preemption signals before the train actually reaches the crossing, allowing traffic controllers to prepare in advance and improve traffic flow efficiency
4Reliability
If redundant sensor systems with continuous health assessment are implemented, then system reliability and safety are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the operational status of its sensors and performs self-assessment, providing feedback on system health and detecting errors or malfunctions, thereby enhancing reliability while managing complexity through intelligent monitoring
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (radar, and other sensors) into a single integrated system that shares common processing and control infrastructure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining redundancy and reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances vehicle traffic flow by providing longer advance preemption capabilities, reducing reliance on track circuits, lowering maintenance costs, and minimizing liability, while ensuring reliable and safe operation with continuous health assessment and error detection.
Implementation Method 1
A redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor system using multiple radar sensors, including side-fired dual-beam and ultra-wideband impulse radar devices, to detect train presence, speed, and heading
Data Source
AI summary
Railroad crossing object detection systems and methods include radar sensors detecting object presence, speed and heading in a different manner. A controller compares signal outputs from the different sensors to provide traffic control preemption signals and self-diagnose sensor problems. The sensor devices may include an ultra-wideband (UWB) impulse radar device and at least one reflective device providing failsafe object presence detection and object non-presence detection in redundant fashion with at least a second sensor device such as a side-fired radar device.