Wireless Target Activation System for Dynamic Crossing Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in railway networks face challenges with excessive crossing warning times, leading to impatient drivers and inefficiencies, as they cannot dynamically adjust to changes in train handling and lack a targeting methodology to prevent early or late arrivals at station stops.

Innovation Solution

A wireless target activation system and method that dynamically adjusts train arrival times by calculating a gap time based on distance and design speed, generating activation messages to optimize crossing warnings, ensuring the train does not violate required warning times, and allowing for dynamic dwell time adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a static station dwell time and maximum crossing time are used in existing PTC systems, then the system is simple to operate, but the crossing activation time exceeds the minimum required FRA warning cycle, causing long wait times for vehicular and pedestrian traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrossing activation timeVSAvoiddynamic adjustment to train handling changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the station stop dwell time based on real-time train conditions including acceleration capabilities, current speed, and distance to the crossing. The dwell time is no longer static but varies according to the specific train operation context, allowing optimization of crossing activation timing while maintaining adaptability to changing train handling requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of station dwell time from a fixed value to a variable parameter that is calculated based on multiple factors including acceleration/deceleration rates, current train speed, and distance to target locations. This parameter change enables the system to reduce crossing activation time while adapting to different train operating conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If existing PTC systems use fixed crossing activation algorithms, then the system complexity is low, but the system cannot prevent the train from arriving too early or too late to the crossing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming accuracy for crossing activationVSAvoidtargeting methodology complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of gap time between the station stop departure and the crossing approach, and pre-determines the optimal activation timing based on train acceleration capabilities and distance to the crossing. This preliminary action allows the system to ensure accurate timing without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the critical phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor actual train performance against predicted timing and adjust the crossing activation accordingly. The system uses feedback from acceleration sensors, speed measurements, and distance tracking to refine the timing calculation and ensure the train arrives at the crossing within the required warning cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If the crossing activation is delayed to reduce warning time, then vehicular and pedestrian wait times are reduced, but the train may arrive too late at the crossing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicular and pedestrian wait timeVSAvoidtrain arrival timing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically calculates the optimal activation timing by considering the train's acceleration capabilities, current speed, and distance to the crossing. The activation time is adjusted in real-time based on actual train performance, ensuring that the train arrives at the crossing within the required warning cycle while minimizing vehicular and pedestrian wait times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the gap time between station departure and crossing approach, and pre-establishes the optimal activation timing based on predicted train performance. This preliminary action allows the system to balance reduced wait times with reliable train arrival timing without requiring reactive adjustments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10457307B2Wireless crossing activation system and method

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECH CORP

AI summary

A wireless target activation system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: receive at least one first target location and at least one second target location associated with a forward route of the train, wherein the at least one first target location is located before the at least one second target location on the forward route of the train; determine a gap time between when the leading edge of the train leaves the at least one first target location and is estimated to arrive at the at least one second target location based at least partially on a distance between the at least one first target location and the at least one second target location and a design speed; and based at least partially on the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the train, and a required warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause the activation of at least one function associated with the at least one second target location.