Train Clearance Detection Using GPS Location Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining when the rear of a train has cleared an intersection are unreliable, particularly in the absence of personnel to visually confirm clearance, leading to potential collisions between trains.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing processors to identify GPS locations of a lead and trailing vehicle, comparing these locations to determine if they are within a predetermined distance of each other, generating a signal when they are, to ensure safe passage of subsequent trains through the intersection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If personnel visually confirm clearance of track intersections, then reliability of clearance determination is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement for constant personnel presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual visual confirmation method with an automated GPS-based location tracking system. The system uses GPS receivers on locomotives to automatically determine train positions and calculate clearance distances, eliminating the need for personnel to physically verify clearance at track intersections.
2Ease of operation
If odometer and known train length are used to determine last car position, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when train length is not accurately known
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the odometer-based calculation method with direct GPS location tracking of the last car. Instead of calculating position based on train length and odometer readings, the system directly measures the location of the last car using a GPS receiver, providing accurate real-time position data without requiring precise train length measurements.
3Measurement precision
If GPS location tracking of lead and trailing vehicles is implemented, then measurement precision of clearance determination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the existing GPS receivers already installed on locomotives for primary navigation and tracking purposes. By repurposing these existing GPS devices to also track the location of trailing vehicles and calculate clearance distances, the system achieves precise clearance measurement without adding dedicated GPS hardware solely for this function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more processors configured to identify first location data corresponding to a first location of a first vehicle of a vehicle system when the first vehicle passes a reference object and identify second location data corresponding to a second location of a second vehicle of the vehicle system. The one or more processors are further configured to determine whether the first location and the second location are within a predetermined distance of each other and in response to determining that the first and second locations are within the predetermined distance of each other, and generate a signal related to a condition that the first location and the second location are within the predetermined distance.