Wireless Magnetometer Preemption for Railroad Crossing Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing railroad crossing warning systems only provide a maximum of certain seconds of preemption warning time to automobile traffic controllers, requiring costly redesign and construction of all affected highway grade crossings and traffic control systems to increase warning time, which is impractical and expensive for the railroad industry.

Innovation Solution

An advanced preemption system using wireless magnetometers installed on railway tracks before the existing crossing activation point to provide an additional warning time to automobile traffic controllers, allowing for extended preemption without the need for full system redesign or reconstruction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If existing crossing warning system design is used, then installation cost and maintenance are controlled, but preemption warning time is limited to a maximum of certain seconds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreemption warning timeVSAvoidsystem redesign requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by installing wireless magnetometers at locations ahead of the traditional crossing activation point. These sensors detect train approach in advance, allowing the system to trigger preemption warnings before the train actually reaches the crossing, thereby extending warning time without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses wireless magnetometers as intermediary detection devices placed between the train and the traditional crossing activation point. These intermediaries detect train presence remotely and transmit this information to extend the preemption warning timeline, avoiding the need to redesign the entire crossing activation system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If preemption warning time is increased to allow longer vehicles to clear tracks, then safety is improved, but engineering cost and installation complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidengineering cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical sensor systems with wireless magnetometers that use magnetic field detection. This substitution allows for easier installation without requiring physical connection to the rail infrastructure, reducing engineering complexity and cost while enabling extended preemption warning time for safer vehicle clearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from traditional mechanical contact sensors to wireless magnetic field detection. This parameter change enables the system to detect train approach at greater distances, providing extended warning time for vehicles to clear the tracks without requiring costly mechanical system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If traditional crossing activation point is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but vehicle traffic cannot be ensured to have stopped prior to lights and gate activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidvehicle stop assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting train approach before the traditional activation point using wireless magnetometers. This allows the system to calculate extended preemption warning times that ensure vehicle traffic has sufficient time to stop before the lights and gates activate, while maintaining simple system operation through automated timing calculations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively increases preemption warning time without the need for extensive infrastructure changes, enhancing safety by providing additional time for vehicles to clear railway crossings before activation, thus reducing engineering and maintenance costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The advanced preemption system includes a first set of wireless magnetometers to be installed on a railway track of the railroad crossing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS10773742B2Advanced preemption using the wayside inspector and wireless magnetometer sensors

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 SIEMENS INDUSTRY INC

AI summary

A warning system comprising an advanced preemption system is provided to provide warning of an additional advanced preemption time directly from a wayside inspector to a city traffic controller to turn one or more traffic lights red on a route intersecting with the railroad crossing. The advanced preemption system includes a first set of wireless magnetometers to be installed on a railway track of the railroad crossing on a first side of the railroad crossing. The first set of wireless magnetometers to be located at an advanced preemption crossing start activation point that is being at a distance before an existing crossing start activation point of the railroad crossing to provide the warning of the additional advanced preemption time.