Abstract: Method, system and software code for calibrating a rail track circuit comprising a plurality of rails coupled to form a track section having a predefined length, a transmit processing unit coupled to the track section at a first end of the track section, and a receive processing unit coupled at the second end of the track section. A transfer function between a transmit voltage applied by the transmit processing unit at the track section and a resulting receive current detected at the receive processing unit is first determined and then applied to the rail track circuit for automatic initial calibration or recalibration.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control and monitoring device for a switch machine of a railway switch comprising: a power supply for providing a switch motor of the switch machine with a current, the switch motor being adapted to move points of the railway switch, a relay having a primary contact connected electrically to the power supply via at least one line and a secondary contact adapted to be electrically connected to the switch motor; the relay being adapted to switch on and off the power provided to the switch motor; at least one current sensor adapted to sense the current to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; at least one voltage sensor adapted to sense a voltage to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; a monitoring module connected to the at least one current sensor and the at least one voltage sensor, wherein the monitoring module is adapted to record the measured current and voltage va

Abstract: A method and system for health assessment of a track circuit and/or of a track section, the track circuit being configured for detecting the presence of a vehicle on the track section between a transmitting end and a receiving end of the track circuit. The method, implemented by an electronic device, comprises obtaining, from a sensor device placed near the receiving end, samples of an electrical parameter of an electric signal transmitted between the transmitting end and the receiving end of the track section, forming a temporal series of received samples, applying an automatic clustering algorithm to separate the received samples in a predetermined number of clusters, selecting one of the clusters and determining, for the selected cluster, a first peak value of the received samples classified within the selected cluster, and calculating a track circuit health indicator depending on the first peak value determined for the selected cluster.

Abstract: Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.

Abstract: A train detection system for a railway track defines a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposite the first lateral side. Two cameras are arranged along the railway track spaced apart from each other. Each camera is placed on either the first lateral side or the second lateral side. The system includes at least one passive target. Each of the passive targets is placed within the field of view of at least one of the cameras and on the opposite lateral side of the railway track with respect to the at least one of the cameras in whose field of view the respective passive target is placed. The system also includes at least one controller adapted to recognise the passive target in the images provided by at least one of the cameras to the controller to determine whether a train is located on the railway track.

Abstract: A system controls a level crossing of a railway track installation. The railway track installation includes at least one track. The system includes at least two magnetometers associated with the at least one track and placed at corners of a crossing area between the at least one track and a road. The system also includes a level crossing control unit configured for receiving data from the magnetometers. Each magnetometer is arranged to detect a respective magnetic field vector of the earth's magnetic field and to send data representative of the magnetic field vector to the control unit. The control unit is configured to elaborate the data to detect changes in the magnetic field vectors due to the presence of a train in the crossing area and to control the level crossing as a function of the detected changes.

Abstract: A system for controlling a level crossing between a railway track and a road, the system comprising a first couple of transmitters and a second couple of transmitters in proximity of a level crossing area; a first couple of receivers and a second couple of receivers opposite to the transmitters with respect to the railway track, the first couple of transmitters and receivers located on a first side of the road and the second couple of transmitters and receivers located opposite to the first side, a control unit sending and receiving signals from said transmitters and receivers, wherein each couple of transmitters transmits a first beam from a first transmitter towards a corresponding first receiver, and a second beam from a second transmitter towards an opposite second receiver, the control unit activates sending at least one second beam and sends a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing upon interruption of at least one first beam due to the presence of the train on the railway track.

Abstract: A system for controlling a level crossing comprising one or more transceivers located in proximity of a level crossing area on a first side of a railway track; one or more corresponding passive reflective targets located in proximity of the level crossing area on a second side opposite to the first side where each transceiver is located; a control unit connected to each transceiver; wherein each target receives RF signals coming from each transceiver and sends back corresponding reflected signals; each transceiver is arranged to elaborate said reflected signals so as to calculate predetermined parameters values; the control unit acquires said parameters values from each transceiver and elaborates them so as to detect the presence of a train in an area around the level crossing area and, in case of presence of said train, to send a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing.

Abstract: Controlling a level crossing includes one or more transceivers located in proximity of a level crossing area on a first side of a railway track; corresponding passive reflective targets located in proximity of the level crossing area on a second side of the railway track opposite to the first side where each transceiver is located and a control unit connected to each transceiver. Each target is arranged to receive RF signals coming from each transceiver and to send back corresponding reflected signals. Each transceiver is arranged to elaborate said reflected signals to calculate predetermined parameters values. Also, the control unit is arranged to acquire said parameters values from each transceiver and to elaborate them to detect the presence of a train in an area around the level crossing area and, in case of presence of said train, to send a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing.

Abstract: A railroad track circuit determines occupancy status of a portion of a railroad track, and includes: a track including first and second rails; a transmitter including first and second connection terminals to generate a voltage between connection terminals; and first and second receiver units, each including first and second measurement terminals, the first and second receiver units measuring voltage between first and second measurement terminals. The output connection terminals of the transmitter connect to the respective rails at a first connection location, using first and second cables. The first measurement terminal of the first receiver unit is connected to the first rail at a second connection location, using a third cable and the first measurement terminal of the second receiver unit is connected to the first rail at a third location, using a fourth cable, the second and third locations forming respectively first and second boundaries of the track circuit.

Abstract: A method detects the presence of a vehicle on a railway track using a sensing processor monitoring a sensing system for detecting vibration into ground installed along the railway track. The sensing system includes a detection module for detecting a vehicle on the railway track. The method includes an initialization step which includes the sub-steps of emitting a first signal to be received by the sensing processor through the sensing system, sending a first message to the sensing processor, monitoring the sensing system, and configuring the detection module in function of the received first signal and configuration data received in the first message. The configuration data can include location of the initialization device, intensity/magnitude of the first signal, emission time of the first signal, and/or type of object corresponding to the first signal.

Abstract: A wayside communication system for transmitting coded current signals through running rails of a railroad track between wayside control devices. A power line common to the wayside control devices is used as the return path for the current signals. The system features train and broken rail detection. The system allows sending signals long distances since rail to rail current leakage is no longer an issue.

Abstract: The invention concerns a control and monitoring device for a switch machine of a railway switch comprising: a power supply for providing a switch motor of the switch machine with a current, the switch motor being adapted to move points of the railway switch, a relay having a primary contact connected electrically to the power supply via at least one line and a secondary contact adapted to be electrically connected to the switch motor; the relay being adapted to switch on and off the power provided to the switch motor; at least one current sensor adapted to sense the current to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; at least one voltage sensor adapted to sense a voltage to be provided to the switch motor at the at least one line between the power supply and the relay; a monitoring module connected to the at least one current sensor and the at least one voltage sensor, wherein the monitoring module is adapted to record the measured current and voltage va

Abstract: A system for controlling a level crossing comprising one or more transceivers located in proximity of a level crossing area on a first side of a railway track; one or more corresponding passive reflective targets located in proximity of the level crossing area on a second side opposite to the first side where each transceiver is located; a control unit connected to each transceiver; wherein each target receives RF signals coming from each transceiver and sends back corresponding reflected signals; each transceiver is arranged to elaborate said reflected signals so as to calculate predetermined parameters values; the control unit acquires said parameters values from each transceiver and elaborates them so as to detect the presence of a train in an area around the level crossing area and, in case of presence of said train, to send a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing.

Abstract: Controlling a level crossing includes one or more transceivers located in proximity of a level crossing area on a first side of a railway track; corresponding passive reflective targets located in proximity of the level crossing area on a second side of the railway track opposite to the first side where each transceiver is located and a control unit connected to each transceiver. Each target is arranged to receive RF signals coming from each transceiver and to send back corresponding reflected signals. Each transceiver is arranged to elaborate said reflected signals to calculate predetermined parameters values. Also, the control unit is arranged to acquire said parameters values from each transceiver and to elaborate them to detect the presence of a train in an area around the level crossing area and, in case of presence of said train, to send a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing.

Abstract: A system for controlling a level crossing between a railway track and a road, the system comprising a first couple of transmitters and a second couple of transmitters in proximity of a level crossing area; a first couple of receivers and a second couple of receivers opposite to the transmitters with respect to the railway track, the first couple of transmitters and receivers located on a first side of the road and the second couple of transmitters and receivers located opposite to the first side, a control unit sending and receiving signals from said transmitters and receivers, wherein each couple of transmitters transmits a first beam from a first transmitter towards a corresponding first receiver, and a second beam from a second transmitter towards an opposite second receiver, the control unit activates sending at least one second beam and sends a warning message and/or close bars of the level crossing upon interruption of at least one first beam due to the presence of the train on the railway track.

Abstract: Controlling a level crossing of a railway track by providing a train having an onboard processor communicating with a wayside processor associated to a level crossing, said train having a forward end and a rear end; moving the train forward along the railway track lowering down gates of the level crossing when train is at a predetermined distance upon detection of the train approaching the level crossing; when the forward end passes over a first reference point defining the beginning of an island area of the level crossing, sending a first message from the onboard safety processor towards the wayside processor informing that the train is approaching the level crossing; maintaining down gates; when the rear end passes over a second reference point defining the end of the island area, sending a second message from the onboard safety processor to the wayside processor informing that the train has left the level crossing; and lifting the gates.

Abstract: A railroad track circuit determines occupancy status of a portion of a railroad track, and includes: a track including first and second rails; a transmitter including first and second connection terminals to generate a voltage between connection terminals; and first and second receiver units, each including first and second measurement terminals, the first and second receiver units measuring voltage between first and second measurement terminals. The output connection terminals of the transmitter connect to the respective rails at a first connection location, using first and second cables. The first measurement terminal of the first receiver unit is connected to the first rail at a second connection location, using a third cable and the first measurement terminal of the second receiver unit is connected to the first rail at a third location, using a fourth cable, the second and third locations forming respectively first and second boundaries of the track circuit.

Abstract: A method detects the presence of a vehicle on a railway track using a sensing processor monitoring a sensing system for detecting vibration into ground installed along the railway track. The sensing system includes a detection module for detecting a vehicle on the railway track. The method includes an initialization step which includes the sub-steps of emitting a first signal to be received by the sensing processor through the sensing system, sending a first message to the sensing processor, monitoring the sensing system, and configuring the detection module in function of the received first signal and configuration data received in the first message. The configuration data can include location of the initialization device, intensity/magnitude of the first signal, emission time of the first signal, and/or type of object corresponding to the first signal.

Abstract: A wayside communication system for transmitting coded current signals through running rails of a railroad track between wayside control devices. A power line common to the wayside control devices is used as the return path for the current signals. The system features train and broken rail detection. The system allows sending signals long distances since rail to rail current leakage is no longer an issue.