CA2887802A1 - Electronic system for preventing collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossing - Google Patents
Electronic system for preventing collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2887802A1 CA2887802A1 CA2887802A CA2887802A CA2887802A1 CA 2887802 A1 CA2887802 A1 CA 2887802A1 CA 2887802 A CA2887802 A CA 2887802A CA 2887802 A CA2887802 A CA 2887802A CA 2887802 A1 CA2887802 A1 CA 2887802A1
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- train
- vehicle
- tracks
- mph
- collision
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 6
- 102100035593 POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 1 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 101710084414 POU domain, class 2, transcription factor 1 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L29/00—Safety means for rail/road crossing traffic
- B61L29/24—Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning
- B61L29/28—Means for warning road traffic that a gate is closed or closing, or that rail traffic is approaching, e.g. for visible or audible warning electrically operated
- B61L29/30—Supervision, e.g. monitoring arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B61—RAILWAYS
- B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
- B61L23/00—Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
Abstract
The enclosed electronic system describes a "two" part invention for:
(a) Detecting a stalled vehicle at a railroad crossing and generating the appropriate collision avoidance warning signal to the train.
(b) An impact prediction and collision avoidance system for a vehicle and train approaching a railroad crossing.
(a) Detecting a stalled vehicle at a railroad crossing and generating the appropriate collision avoidance warning signal to the train.
(b) An impact prediction and collision avoidance system for a vehicle and train approaching a railroad crossing.
Description
Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario 1.1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 This system will:
1. Give an advance warning signal to an approaching train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks at the railroad crossing. This Warning Signal can be given when the train is several is miles away.
1.1) This will enable the train to either, stop and prevent a collision with a stalled vehicle.
1.2) "Or" slow down considerably and lessen the impact.
1. Give an advance warning signal to an approaching train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks at the railroad crossing. This Warning Signal can be given when the train is several is miles away.
1.1) This will enable the train to either, stop and prevent a collision with a stalled vehicle.
1.2) "Or" slow down considerably and lessen the impact.
2. Determine if an approaching train and vehicle will collide at the railroad crossing. If an impact is predicted, then a signal will be sent to the train to enable it to slow down enough for the vehicle to clear the crossing.
Page 2 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM
1) STALLED VEHICLE AT CROSSING ¨ Diagram (1) =
at6LC: Lee / 15u1it-b AT
--t-- IN) c i,tEs v __________________________________________ He 1, TK AIN )' _____________________________________ ,A G.. k Viõ
Page 2 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM
1) STALLED VEHICLE AT CROSSING ¨ Diagram (1) =
at6LC: Lee / 15u1it-b AT
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Page 3 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 1.1) A coaxial cable loop is installed under the tracks at the railway crossing. This coaxial cable loop is connected to a 2 khz oscillator. This produces an alternating magnetic field approximately 3 feet high above the tracks. When a vehicle enters the leading edge of the magnetic field, the signal produced is sent to the micro-computer. The signal produced is tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicle. This prevents unwanted signals being produced from bicycles etc.
When the vehicle clears the magnetic field, a trailing edge signal is produced.
This tells the micro-computer that the vehicle has cleared the tracks. To give an example ¨ When a School Bus which has just stopped before the tracks and enters the magnetic field say at 10 mph (which is 14.66 ft. per second), it will take approximately 4 seconds to clear the cable loop and generate a trailing edge signal. If the trailing edge signal is not received by the micro-computer within 25 seconds, a software timer times out, and generates a collision avoidance warning signal, which is transmitted to an on-coming train, to inform the train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks.
This collision avoidance warning signal will either:
1.1.1) Allow the train to stop depending on how far it is from the crossing.
1.1.2) Allow the train to significantly reduce speed and lessen any possible Impact.
1.1.3) A train driver who is travelling at 60 mph (88 ft/second) and is 1 mile away from the tracks cannot see a vehicle stalled at the crossing. But if a collision avoidance warning signal is given for this distance (1 minute), the train has a chance to stop or slow down.
Page 4 of 7 = CA 02887802 2015-04-15 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM - CONTINUED
2) IMPACT PRD1CTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A TRAIN
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Page 3 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 1.1) A coaxial cable loop is installed under the tracks at the railway crossing. This coaxial cable loop is connected to a 2 khz oscillator. This produces an alternating magnetic field approximately 3 feet high above the tracks. When a vehicle enters the leading edge of the magnetic field, the signal produced is sent to the micro-computer. The signal produced is tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicle. This prevents unwanted signals being produced from bicycles etc.
When the vehicle clears the magnetic field, a trailing edge signal is produced.
This tells the micro-computer that the vehicle has cleared the tracks. To give an example ¨ When a School Bus which has just stopped before the tracks and enters the magnetic field say at 10 mph (which is 14.66 ft. per second), it will take approximately 4 seconds to clear the cable loop and generate a trailing edge signal. If the trailing edge signal is not received by the micro-computer within 25 seconds, a software timer times out, and generates a collision avoidance warning signal, which is transmitted to an on-coming train, to inform the train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks.
This collision avoidance warning signal will either:
1.1.1) Allow the train to stop depending on how far it is from the crossing.
1.1.2) Allow the train to significantly reduce speed and lessen any possible Impact.
1.1.3) A train driver who is travelling at 60 mph (88 ft/second) and is 1 mile away from the tracks cannot see a vehicle stalled at the crossing. But if a collision avoidance warning signal is given for this distance (1 minute), the train has a chance to stop or slow down.
Page 4 of 7 = CA 02887802 2015-04-15 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM - CONTINUED
2) IMPACT PRD1CTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A TRAIN
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3i IT1 t ceo - GI- , 4e cem r vi" er-- -----i¨ lici I lif 3 osc 01 it r e Page 5 of 7 (zwipuTo L t I yu- ty) wvit Coo P 151 al-Invention By: Terry Blundell 502 Down land Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 2.1) Coaxial cable loops are installed under the tracks one mile from the Railroad Crossing and under the road, one mile from the Railroad Crossing, on both sides of the tracks (see Diagram 2). The coaxial cable loops are connected to 2 khz oscillators. An alternating magnetic field is produced approximately 3 feet above respective cable loops. (total of 4 loops, 2 for on coming trains and 2 for on coming vehicles ¨ see diagram 2) The signals produced are tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicles and trains. This prevents unwanted signals from bicycles etc. When the vehicle and trains enter their respective cable loops, leading edge and trailing edge signals are produced. This enables the speed of the train and vehicles approaching the Railroad Crossing to be calculated The various speed of trains and vehicles are compared. If an impact between approaching train and vehicles is predicted an appropriate collision avoidance signal is given. This will enable the train to slow down (by even 10 mph) and can enable the approaching vehicles to clear the tracks and avoid a collision.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES HERE FOR LIKELY COLLISION SCENARIOS
2.1.1) If a vehicle and train are travelling at the same speed, say 60 mph, 88 ft./second, when the train and vehicle enter their respective cable loops one mile from the crossing (see diagram 2) a collision at the Railroad Crossing is highly likely. The speed of both the train and the vehicle will be calculated and an appropriate collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the train. If the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle will have time to clear the tracks and a collision could be avoided.
2.1.2) If a freight train enters the cable loop say at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) which is two minutes from the tracks and a vehicle enters its cable loop one minute later at 60 mph (88 ft/sec.), the vehicle will take one minute to reach the tracks and the train will also take another minute to reach the tracks. There is a likelihood of a collision here and a collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the approaching train. Again if the train only slows down by 10 mph a collision could be avoided.
2.1.3) A freight train travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) and a vehicle travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec), entering their respective cable loops at the same time, will both take 2 minutes to reach the Railroad Crossing (if they both maintain the same speed).
Again a collision at the tracks is likely and a collision avoidance warning signal will be sent to the train. Again if the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle Page 6 of 7 , :
Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 This system will:
1. Give an advance warning signal to an approaching train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks at the railroad crossing. This Warning Signal can be given when the train is several is miles away.
1.1) This will enable the train to either, stop and prevent a collision with a stalled vehicle.
1.2) "Or" slow down considerably and lessen the impact.
2. Determine if an approaching train and vehicle will collide at the railroad crossing. If an impact is predicted, then a signal will be sent to the train to enable it to slow down enough for the vehicle to clear the crossing.
Page 2 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM
1) STALLED VEHICLE AT CROSSING ¨ Diagram (1) CI14L c46LL-/ ftt5t ATPOk c 6E; Le cv, TR.ficKt.' 1:TKI N
2 k 143 s c Mick p Page 3 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 1.1) A coaxial cable loop is installed under the tracks at the railway crossing. This coaxial cable loop is connected to a 2 khz oscillator. This produces an alternating magnetic field approximately 3 feet high above the tracks. When a vehicle enters the leading edge of the magnetic field, the signal produced is sent to the micro-computer. The signal produced is tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicle. This prevents unwanted signals being produced from bicycles etc.
When the vehicle clears the magnetic field, a trailing edge signal is produced.
This tells the micro-computer that the vehicle has cleared the tracks. To give an example ¨ When a School Bus which has just stopped before the tracks and enters the magnetic field say at 10 mph (which is 14.66 ft. per second), it will take approximately 4 seconds to clear the cable loop and generate a trailing edge signal. If the trailing edge signal is not received by the micro-computer within 25 seconds, a software timer times out, and generates a collision avoidance warning signal, which is transmitted to an on-coming train, to inform the train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks.
This collision avoidance warning signal will either:
1.1.1) Allow the train to stop depending on how far it is from the crossing.
1.1.2) Allow the train to significantly reduce speed and lessen any possible Impact.
1.1.3) A train driver who is travelling at 60 mph (88 ft/second) and is 1 mile away from the tracks cannot see a vehicle stalled at the crossing. But if a collision avoidance warning signal is given for this distance (1 minute), the train has a chance to stop or slow down.
Page 4 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pkkerinq, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM ¨ CONTINUED
2) IMPACT PRDICTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A TRAIN
AND VEHICLE APPROACHING A RAILWAY CROSSING ¨ DIAGRAM 2 , 4 c 0 /43( i ftt c-iirgi,E urrs C__e()(1)1,t A-g.c. 6 u Ri el) lif P K eA
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____________________________________________________________________ -coy/ eol-ot Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 2.1) Coaxial cable loops are installed under the tracks one mile from the Railroad Crossing and under the road, one mile from the Railroad Crossing, on both sides of the tracks (see Diagram 2). The coaxial cable loops are connected to 2 khz oscillators. An alternating magnetic field is produced approximately 3 feet above respective cable loops. (total of 4 loops, 2 for on coming trains and 2 for on coming vehicles ¨ see diagram 2) The signals produced are tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicles and trains. This prevents unwanted signals from bicycles etc. When the vehicle and trains enter their respective cable loops, leading edge and trailing edge signals are produced. This enables the speed of the train and vehicles approaching the Railroad Crossing to be calculated The various speed of trains and vehicles are compared. If an impact between approaching train and vehicles is predicted an appropriate collision avoidance signal is given. This will enable the train to slow down (by even 10 mph) and can enable the approaching vehicles to clear the tracks and avoid a collision.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES HERE FOR LIKELY COLLISION SCENARIOS
2.1.1) If a vehicle and train are travelling at the same speed, say 60 mph, 88 ft./second, when the train and vehicle enter their respective cable loops one mile from the crossing (see diagram 2) a collision at the Railroad Crossing is highly likely. The speed of both the train and the vehicle will be calculated and an appropriate collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the train. If the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle will have time to clear the tracks and a collision could be avoided.
2.1.2) If a freight train enters the cable loop say at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) which is two minutes from the tracks and a vehicle enters its cable loop one minute later at 60 mph (88 ft/sec.), the vehicle will take one minute to reach the tracks and the train will also take another minute to reach the tracks. There is a likelihood of a collision here and a collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the approaching train. Again if the train only slows down by 10 mph a collision could be avoided.
2.1.3) A freight train travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) and a vehicle travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec), entering their respective cable loops at the same time, will both take 2 minutes to reach the Railroad Crossing (if they both maintain the same speed).
Again a collision at the tracks is likely and a collision avoidance warning signal will be sent to the train. Again if the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle Page 6 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 will clear the tracks and a collision will be avoided.
2.1.4) There are many other scenarios whereby a collision between an oncoming train and vehicle are possible. These scenarios will be calculated by the Impact Predictor System, with the Micro-computer. Appropriate collision avoidance warning signals will be given to an approaching train to enable it to slow down enough for the oncoming vehicle to clear the tracks at the Railroad Crossing.
Although the system cannot avoid all situations, eg. vehicle slamming into a train already at the Railroad Crossing, the system can predict and avoid the majority of accident situations. A considerable number of lives will be saved.
3) CLAIMS FOR THE INVENTION
3.1) This simple system, which is easy to install and is not costly can save lives, 3.2) It will reduce insurance claims for the railways and save them time and money.
3.3) It will reduce law suits against the railways and downtime on track repairs.
3.4) It will bolster the safety record of the railways and improve the image of the railways for both the public, who travel on the trains and cars that use the crossings.
Terry Blundell ¨ Inventor Signature: Altij Date: R- kiK'L th I C
Page 7 of 7 = CA 02887802 2015-04-15 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Down land Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 This system will:
1. Give an advance warning signal to an approaching train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks at the railroad crossing. This Warning Signal can be given when the train is several is miles away.
1.1) This will enable the train to either, stop and prevent a collision with a stalled vehicle.
1.2) "Or" slow down considerably and lessen the impact.
2. Determine if an approaching train and vehicle will collide at the railroad crossing. If an impact is predicted, then a signal will be sent to the train to enable it to slow down enough for the vehicle to clear the crossing.
Page 2 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downiand Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM
1) STALLED VEHICLE AT CROSSING ¨ Diagram (1) = cc fixi /4-L col-6L E- Leaf / t5u teD itiTte TIO iJCI,L
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_______________________________________________________________________________ ________ E
¨1" _____________ TR Ai N
2 Ki43 tYliz:ko poi Page 3 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downtand Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 1.1) A coaxial cable loop is installed under the tracks at the railway crossing. This coaxial cable loop is connected to a 2 khz oscillator. This produces an alternating magnetic field approximately 3 feet high above the tracks. When a vehicle enters the leading edge of the magnetic field, the signal produced is sent to the micro-computer. The signal produced is tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicle. This prevents unwanted signals being produced from bicycles etc.
When the vehicle clears the magnetic field, a trailing edge signal is produced.
This tells the micro-computer that the vehicle has cleared the tracks. To give an example ¨ When a School Bus which has just stopped before the tracks and enters the magnetic field say at 10 mph (which is 14.66 ft. per second), it will take approximately 4 seconds to clear the cable loop and generate a trailing edge signal. If the trailing edge signal is not received by the micro-computer within 25 seconds, a software timer times out, and generates a collision avoidance warning signal, which is transmitted to an on-coming train, to inform the train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks.
This collision avoidance warning signal will either:
1.1.1) Allow the train to stop depending on how far it is from the crossing.
1.1.2) Allow the train to significantly reduce speed and lessen any possible Impact.
1.1.3) A train driver who is travelling at 60 mph (88 ft/second) and is 1 mile away from the tracks cannot see a vehicle stalled at the crossing. But if a collision avoidance warning signal is given for this distance (1 minute), the train has a chance to stop or slow down.
Page 4 of 7 . CA 02887802 2015-04-15 , Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM ¨ CONTINUED
2) IMPACT PRDICTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A TRAIN
AND VEHICLE APPROACHING A RAILWAY CROSSING ¨ DIAGRAM 2 ., , 4 c a 41, At c--kee,i_e- arr.S
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Invention By: Testy Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 2.1) Coaxial cable loops are installed under the tracks one mile from the Railroad Crossing and under the road, one mile from the Railroad Crossing, on both sides of the tracks (see Diagram 2). The coaxial cable loops are connected to 2 khz oscillators. An alternating magnetic field is produced approximately 3 feet above respective cable loops. (total of 4 loops, 2 for on coming trains and 2 for on coming vehicles ¨ see diagram 2) The signals produced are tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicles and trains. This prevents unwanted signals from bicycles etc. When the vehicle and trains enter their respective cable loops, leading edge and trailing edge signals are produced. This enables the speed of the train and vehicles approaching the Railroad Crossing to be calculated The various speed of trains and vehicles are compared. If an impact between approaching train and vehicles is predicted an appropriate collision avoidance signal is given. This will enable the train to slow down (by even 10 mph) and can enable the approaching vehicles to clear the tracks and avoid a collision.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES HERE FOR LIKELY COLLISION SCENARIOS
2.1.1) If a vehicle and train are travelling at the same speed, say 60 mph, 88 ft./second, when the train and vehicle enter their respective cable loops one mile from the crossing (see diagram 2) a collision at the Railroad Crossing is highly likely. The speed of both the train and the vehicle will be calculated and an appropriate collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the train. If the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle will have time to clear the tracks and a collision could be avoided.
2.1.2) If a freight train enters the cable loop say at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) which is two minutes from the tracks and a vehicle enters its cable loop one minute later at 60 mph (88 ft/sec.), the vehicle will take one minute to reach the tracks and the train will also take another minute to reach the tracks. There is a likelihood of a collision here and a collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the approaching train. Again if the train only slows down by 10 mph a collision could be avoided.
2.1.3) A freight train travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) and a vehicle travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec), entering their respective cable loops at the same time, will both take 2 minutes to reach the Railroad Crossing (if they both maintain the same speed).
Again a collision at the tracks is likely and a collision avoidance warning signal will be sent to the train. Again if the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle Page 6 of 7
Co C'xio-t keE1 s u R -LOD kr P izeiv c Arb LE , _.1 1,Erf v T Ip=LO i 14 cGte--Pit lc=-itc - "rtie- 6,0 AT A KM T',Klq- Cg aillil p 4-611- ________ N 1 a ._L._.) , , CoG Y lat. cfroi,E i al uk2, i m v et ¨+ ---et 1 ng ii.Q.
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LCOT
3i IT1 t ceo - GI- , 4e cem r vi" er-- -----i¨ lici I lif 3 osc 01 it r e Page 5 of 7 (zwipuTo L t I yu- ty) wvit Coo P 151 al-Invention By: Terry Blundell 502 Down land Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 2.1) Coaxial cable loops are installed under the tracks one mile from the Railroad Crossing and under the road, one mile from the Railroad Crossing, on both sides of the tracks (see Diagram 2). The coaxial cable loops are connected to 2 khz oscillators. An alternating magnetic field is produced approximately 3 feet above respective cable loops. (total of 4 loops, 2 for on coming trains and 2 for on coming vehicles ¨ see diagram 2) The signals produced are tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicles and trains. This prevents unwanted signals from bicycles etc. When the vehicle and trains enter their respective cable loops, leading edge and trailing edge signals are produced. This enables the speed of the train and vehicles approaching the Railroad Crossing to be calculated The various speed of trains and vehicles are compared. If an impact between approaching train and vehicles is predicted an appropriate collision avoidance signal is given. This will enable the train to slow down (by even 10 mph) and can enable the approaching vehicles to clear the tracks and avoid a collision.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES HERE FOR LIKELY COLLISION SCENARIOS
2.1.1) If a vehicle and train are travelling at the same speed, say 60 mph, 88 ft./second, when the train and vehicle enter their respective cable loops one mile from the crossing (see diagram 2) a collision at the Railroad Crossing is highly likely. The speed of both the train and the vehicle will be calculated and an appropriate collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the train. If the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle will have time to clear the tracks and a collision could be avoided.
2.1.2) If a freight train enters the cable loop say at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) which is two minutes from the tracks and a vehicle enters its cable loop one minute later at 60 mph (88 ft/sec.), the vehicle will take one minute to reach the tracks and the train will also take another minute to reach the tracks. There is a likelihood of a collision here and a collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the approaching train. Again if the train only slows down by 10 mph a collision could be avoided.
2.1.3) A freight train travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) and a vehicle travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec), entering their respective cable loops at the same time, will both take 2 minutes to reach the Railroad Crossing (if they both maintain the same speed).
Again a collision at the tracks is likely and a collision avoidance warning signal will be sent to the train. Again if the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle Page 6 of 7 , :
Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 This system will:
1. Give an advance warning signal to an approaching train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks at the railroad crossing. This Warning Signal can be given when the train is several is miles away.
1.1) This will enable the train to either, stop and prevent a collision with a stalled vehicle.
1.2) "Or" slow down considerably and lessen the impact.
2. Determine if an approaching train and vehicle will collide at the railroad crossing. If an impact is predicted, then a signal will be sent to the train to enable it to slow down enough for the vehicle to clear the crossing.
Page 2 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM
1) STALLED VEHICLE AT CROSSING ¨ Diagram (1) CI14L c46LL-/ ftt5t ATPOk c 6E; Le cv, TR.ficKt.' 1:TKI N
2 k 143 s c Mick p Page 3 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 1.1) A coaxial cable loop is installed under the tracks at the railway crossing. This coaxial cable loop is connected to a 2 khz oscillator. This produces an alternating magnetic field approximately 3 feet high above the tracks. When a vehicle enters the leading edge of the magnetic field, the signal produced is sent to the micro-computer. The signal produced is tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicle. This prevents unwanted signals being produced from bicycles etc.
When the vehicle clears the magnetic field, a trailing edge signal is produced.
This tells the micro-computer that the vehicle has cleared the tracks. To give an example ¨ When a School Bus which has just stopped before the tracks and enters the magnetic field say at 10 mph (which is 14.66 ft. per second), it will take approximately 4 seconds to clear the cable loop and generate a trailing edge signal. If the trailing edge signal is not received by the micro-computer within 25 seconds, a software timer times out, and generates a collision avoidance warning signal, which is transmitted to an on-coming train, to inform the train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks.
This collision avoidance warning signal will either:
1.1.1) Allow the train to stop depending on how far it is from the crossing.
1.1.2) Allow the train to significantly reduce speed and lessen any possible Impact.
1.1.3) A train driver who is travelling at 60 mph (88 ft/second) and is 1 mile away from the tracks cannot see a vehicle stalled at the crossing. But if a collision avoidance warning signal is given for this distance (1 minute), the train has a chance to stop or slow down.
Page 4 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pkkerinq, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM ¨ CONTINUED
2) IMPACT PRDICTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A TRAIN
AND VEHICLE APPROACHING A RAILWAY CROSSING ¨ DIAGRAM 2 , 4 c 0 /43( i ftt c-iirgi,E urrs C__e()(1)1,t A-g.c. 6 u Ri el) lif P K eA
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____________________________________________________________________ -coy/ eol-ot Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 2.1) Coaxial cable loops are installed under the tracks one mile from the Railroad Crossing and under the road, one mile from the Railroad Crossing, on both sides of the tracks (see Diagram 2). The coaxial cable loops are connected to 2 khz oscillators. An alternating magnetic field is produced approximately 3 feet above respective cable loops. (total of 4 loops, 2 for on coming trains and 2 for on coming vehicles ¨ see diagram 2) The signals produced are tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicles and trains. This prevents unwanted signals from bicycles etc. When the vehicle and trains enter their respective cable loops, leading edge and trailing edge signals are produced. This enables the speed of the train and vehicles approaching the Railroad Crossing to be calculated The various speed of trains and vehicles are compared. If an impact between approaching train and vehicles is predicted an appropriate collision avoidance signal is given. This will enable the train to slow down (by even 10 mph) and can enable the approaching vehicles to clear the tracks and avoid a collision.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES HERE FOR LIKELY COLLISION SCENARIOS
2.1.1) If a vehicle and train are travelling at the same speed, say 60 mph, 88 ft./second, when the train and vehicle enter their respective cable loops one mile from the crossing (see diagram 2) a collision at the Railroad Crossing is highly likely. The speed of both the train and the vehicle will be calculated and an appropriate collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the train. If the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle will have time to clear the tracks and a collision could be avoided.
2.1.2) If a freight train enters the cable loop say at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) which is two minutes from the tracks and a vehicle enters its cable loop one minute later at 60 mph (88 ft/sec.), the vehicle will take one minute to reach the tracks and the train will also take another minute to reach the tracks. There is a likelihood of a collision here and a collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the approaching train. Again if the train only slows down by 10 mph a collision could be avoided.
2.1.3) A freight train travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) and a vehicle travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec), entering their respective cable loops at the same time, will both take 2 minutes to reach the Railroad Crossing (if they both maintain the same speed).
Again a collision at the tracks is likely and a collision avoidance warning signal will be sent to the train. Again if the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle Page 6 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 will clear the tracks and a collision will be avoided.
2.1.4) There are many other scenarios whereby a collision between an oncoming train and vehicle are possible. These scenarios will be calculated by the Impact Predictor System, with the Micro-computer. Appropriate collision avoidance warning signals will be given to an approaching train to enable it to slow down enough for the oncoming vehicle to clear the tracks at the Railroad Crossing.
Although the system cannot avoid all situations, eg. vehicle slamming into a train already at the Railroad Crossing, the system can predict and avoid the majority of accident situations. A considerable number of lives will be saved.
3) CLAIMS FOR THE INVENTION
3.1) This simple system, which is easy to install and is not costly can save lives, 3.2) It will reduce insurance claims for the railways and save them time and money.
3.3) It will reduce law suits against the railways and downtime on track repairs.
3.4) It will bolster the safety record of the railways and improve the image of the railways for both the public, who travel on the trains and cars that use the crossings.
Terry Blundell ¨ Inventor Signature: Altij Date: R- kiK'L th I C
Page 7 of 7 = CA 02887802 2015-04-15 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Down land Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 This system will:
1. Give an advance warning signal to an approaching train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks at the railroad crossing. This Warning Signal can be given when the train is several is miles away.
1.1) This will enable the train to either, stop and prevent a collision with a stalled vehicle.
1.2) "Or" slow down considerably and lessen the impact.
2. Determine if an approaching train and vehicle will collide at the railroad crossing. If an impact is predicted, then a signal will be sent to the train to enable it to slow down enough for the vehicle to clear the crossing.
Page 2 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downiand Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM
1) STALLED VEHICLE AT CROSSING ¨ Diagram (1) = cc fixi /4-L col-6L E- Leaf / t5u teD itiTte TIO iJCI,L
6E t-o /
_______________________________________________________________________________ ________ E
¨1" _____________ TR Ai N
2 Ki43 tYliz:ko poi Page 3 of 7 Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downtand Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 1.1) A coaxial cable loop is installed under the tracks at the railway crossing. This coaxial cable loop is connected to a 2 khz oscillator. This produces an alternating magnetic field approximately 3 feet high above the tracks. When a vehicle enters the leading edge of the magnetic field, the signal produced is sent to the micro-computer. The signal produced is tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicle. This prevents unwanted signals being produced from bicycles etc.
When the vehicle clears the magnetic field, a trailing edge signal is produced.
This tells the micro-computer that the vehicle has cleared the tracks. To give an example ¨ When a School Bus which has just stopped before the tracks and enters the magnetic field say at 10 mph (which is 14.66 ft. per second), it will take approximately 4 seconds to clear the cable loop and generate a trailing edge signal. If the trailing edge signal is not received by the micro-computer within 25 seconds, a software timer times out, and generates a collision avoidance warning signal, which is transmitted to an on-coming train, to inform the train that a vehicle is stalled on the tracks.
This collision avoidance warning signal will either:
1.1.1) Allow the train to stop depending on how far it is from the crossing.
1.1.2) Allow the train to significantly reduce speed and lessen any possible Impact.
1.1.3) A train driver who is travelling at 60 mph (88 ft/second) and is 1 mile away from the tracks cannot see a vehicle stalled at the crossing. But if a collision avoidance warning signal is given for this distance (1 minute), the train has a chance to stop or slow down.
Page 4 of 7 . CA 02887802 2015-04-15 , Invention By: Terry Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 SPECIFICATION OF SYSTEM ¨ CONTINUED
2) IMPACT PRDICTION AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR A TRAIN
AND VEHICLE APPROACHING A RAILWAY CROSSING ¨ DIAGRAM 2 ., , 4 c a 41, At c--kee,i_e- arr.S
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1 )4-4- tYlict/L-0 C014 PoTCYL
Invention By: Testy Blundell, 502 Downland Drive Pickering, Ontario L1W3A2 Phone: 1-289-892-0092 2.1) Coaxial cable loops are installed under the tracks one mile from the Railroad Crossing and under the road, one mile from the Railroad Crossing, on both sides of the tracks (see Diagram 2). The coaxial cable loops are connected to 2 khz oscillators. An alternating magnetic field is produced approximately 3 feet above respective cable loops. (total of 4 loops, 2 for on coming trains and 2 for on coming vehicles ¨ see diagram 2) The signals produced are tuned to the mass of metal of the vehicles and trains. This prevents unwanted signals from bicycles etc. When the vehicle and trains enter their respective cable loops, leading edge and trailing edge signals are produced. This enables the speed of the train and vehicles approaching the Railroad Crossing to be calculated The various speed of trains and vehicles are compared. If an impact between approaching train and vehicles is predicted an appropriate collision avoidance signal is given. This will enable the train to slow down (by even 10 mph) and can enable the approaching vehicles to clear the tracks and avoid a collision.
THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES HERE FOR LIKELY COLLISION SCENARIOS
2.1.1) If a vehicle and train are travelling at the same speed, say 60 mph, 88 ft./second, when the train and vehicle enter their respective cable loops one mile from the crossing (see diagram 2) a collision at the Railroad Crossing is highly likely. The speed of both the train and the vehicle will be calculated and an appropriate collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the train. If the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle will have time to clear the tracks and a collision could be avoided.
2.1.2) If a freight train enters the cable loop say at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) which is two minutes from the tracks and a vehicle enters its cable loop one minute later at 60 mph (88 ft/sec.), the vehicle will take one minute to reach the tracks and the train will also take another minute to reach the tracks. There is a likelihood of a collision here and a collision avoidance warning signal will be given to the approaching train. Again if the train only slows down by 10 mph a collision could be avoided.
2.1.3) A freight train travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec) and a vehicle travelling at 30 mph (44 ft/sec), entering their respective cable loops at the same time, will both take 2 minutes to reach the Railroad Crossing (if they both maintain the same speed).
Again a collision at the tracks is likely and a collision avoidance warning signal will be sent to the train. Again if the train slows down by only 10 mph, the vehicle Page 6 of 7
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2887802A CA2887802A1 (en) | 2015-04-15 | 2015-04-15 | Electronic system for preventing collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossing |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2887802A CA2887802A1 (en) | 2015-04-15 | 2015-04-15 | Electronic system for preventing collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossing |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2887802A1 true CA2887802A1 (en) | 2016-10-15 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2887802A Abandoned CA2887802A1 (en) | 2015-04-15 | 2015-04-15 | Electronic system for preventing collisions between trains and vehicles at railroad crossing |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2887802A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10235882B1 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2019-03-19 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US20190212156A1 (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2019-07-11 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Methods and apparatus to facilitate mitigation of vehicle trapping on railroad crossings |
| US20220063691A1 (en) * | 2018-12-03 | 2022-03-03 | Daimler Ag | Method and system for warning a motor vehicle of a collision with a railway vehicle |
| US11443631B2 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2022-09-13 | Derq Inc. | Enhanced onboard equipment |
-
2015
- 2015-04-15 CA CA2887802A patent/CA2887802A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US10768001B2 (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2020-09-08 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Methods and apparatus to facilitate mitigation of vehicle trapping on railroad crossings |
| US20190212156A1 (en) * | 2018-01-10 | 2019-07-11 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Methods and apparatus to facilitate mitigation of vehicle trapping on railroad crossings |
| US11257371B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2022-02-22 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US10565880B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2020-02-18 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US10854079B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2020-12-01 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US10950130B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2021-03-16 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US10235882B1 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2019-03-19 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US11257370B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2022-02-22 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US11276311B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2022-03-15 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US11749111B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2023-09-05 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US11763678B2 (en) | 2018-03-19 | 2023-09-19 | Derq Inc. | Early warning and collision avoidance |
| US20220063691A1 (en) * | 2018-12-03 | 2022-03-03 | Daimler Ag | Method and system for warning a motor vehicle of a collision with a railway vehicle |
| US11443631B2 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2022-09-13 | Derq Inc. | Enhanced onboard equipment |
| US11688282B2 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2023-06-27 | Derq Inc. | Enhanced onboard equipment |
| US12131642B2 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2024-10-29 | Derq Inc. | Enhanced onboard equipment |
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