Abstract: A railroad crossing warning system and method that include an obstruction detection system establishing a surveillance zone at a railroad crossing configured to detect the presence of an obstruction on a railroad track. A communication system is configured to transmit a warning to a railroad operator when an obstruction is detected within the surveillance zone.

Abstract: A foldable lap seat including a back support, two side walls, a bottom support and multiple straps. The foldable lap seat is well suited for use with a lap child on an airplane, in a chair, at a table, in a stadium seat, on a train or bus in a church pew or in other situations. Embodiments include a set of functionally distinct but interconnected panels which are permanently connected together along certain junctions and which also may be selectively connected together or disconnected along various edges. Thus, seat embodiments can be configured in at least three distinct ways. The foldable lap seat may be configured for use by connecting certain edges together; configured a substantially flat structure by disconnecting selected edges and the seat may be stored or transported when not in use in a very compact folded configuration.