Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of systems and methods for remotely controlling locomotives with gestures. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is configured for allowing an operator(s) to remotely control operation of a locomotive with gesture(s) made by an operator(s). The system includes at least one processor configured to be operable for visually recognizing gesture(s) made by an operator(s) in one or more images captured by at least one camera. A locomotive control unit is configured to be operable for controlling the operation of the locomotive according to the visually recognized gesture(s) made by the operator(s).

Abstract: A switch locking system and method of an authorized locomotive for safely traversing a switch in a railway including sending a lock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller associated with the switch; determining if a lock confirmation from the switch controller is received by the computer onboard the authorized locomotive; and safely traversing the switch upon receipt of the lock confirmation. The switch locking system and method may include sending an unlock command from a computer onboard the authorized locomotive to a switch controller after the train clears the switch.

Abstract: A route examination system determines a characteristic of a vehicle system traveling over a segment of a route under inspection, a characteristic of the route, and/or a characteristic of movement of the vehicle system over the segment of the route. The system also detects acoustic sounds generated by movement of the vehicle system over the segment of the route. The system selects a baseline signature representative of acoustic sounds generated by movement of the vehicle system or another vehicle system over a healthy segment of the route, and determines that the segment of the route under inspection is damaged based on a comparison between the baseline signature and the acoustic sounds generated by the movement of the vehicle system over the segment of the route under inspection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the location of a train on a track or of a broken rail of a track, the track including a first section having a first end and a second end, the method including: injecting a current into the track at one end of the first end and second end; detecting the amplitude of the injected current at the same end at which the current was injected; and determining, based on the detected amplitude, the location of the train on the track or of the broken rail of the track.

Abstract: A solution for managing effect-generating operations is provided. Data regarding one or multiple types of effects being generated by the operations can be acquired and analyzed. When necessary, actions can be initiated to benefit affected individuals or to improve the operations, e.g., by mitigating a source of excessive effects. In an illustrative application, the effect-generating operations are train operations and the types of effects include acoustic and/or vibration effects.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an automated rail inspection system. The present disclosure also provides a method for calibrating a strain gage based neutral temperature measurement system.

Abstract: A method operates a mobile device in a railway system with at least one optical waveguide which is laid next to at least one railway track and into which light pulses are fed. The optical waveguide is used as a distributed acoustic sensor and detects scattered-back light. In order to be able to identify reliably such a mobile device in a comparatively easy way, the mobile device is provided with a sound generator which can be adjusted with respect to its frequency spectrum in a way which designates the mobile device. The sound generator is adjusted with respect to its frequency spectrum in a way which designates the mobile device by assigning a frequency selection to the mobile device. An identification number signal of the mobile device is acquired by detecting the scattered-back light from the detected frequency selection. A railway system having such a mobile device is also taught.

Abstract: Method and instrumentation for detection of rail defects, in particular rail top defects, in a railway-track by measuring an axle box acceleration signal of a rail vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used as a measure to detect the occurrence of said rail defects. The method also includes measuring a vertical axle box acceleration signal of said rail vehicle, whereby the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used in combination and simultaneously with said vertical axle box acceleration signal. It is preferred that the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used to remove from said vertical axle box acceleration signal a signal-part that relates to vibrations of the rail vehicle's wheel set, including the bearing and axle box, and that the axle box acceleration signals are filtered for removing signal-parts contributed by vibrations of the track, including the rail, rail pads, fasteners, sleepers, and ballast.

Abstract: A communications system for use in transmitting data in a railroad system is provided. The communications system includes a track circuit having a plurality of rails configured to transmit an electrical signal thereon, a first processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit via a first locomotive on said track circuit, and a trackside communications station operable to output cab signaling data, wherein the trackside communications station includes a second processor communicatively coupled to the track circuit. The first processor is programmed to compare a received data signal to a pre-stored database, and generate a response based on the comparison. The second processor is programmed to generate a corrected signal using the generated response.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and/or controlling components of a railway system which includes a track and at least one train that is operable to run on said track, comprises the steps of: a) providing an acoustic transducer proximate the railway for picking up acoustic signals; b) receiving acoustic signals from the transducer; and c) analysing the received signals.

Abstract: Method and instrumentation for detection of rail defects, in particular rail top defects, in a railway-track by measuring an axle box acceleration signal of a rail vehicle, wherein a longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used as a measure to detect the occurrence of said rail defects. The method also includes measuring a vertical axle box acceleration signal of said rail vehicle, whereby the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used in combination and simultaneously with said vertical axle box acceleration signal. It is preferred that the longitudinal axle box acceleration signal is used to remove from said vertical axle box acceleration signal a signal-part that relates to vibrations of the rail vehicle's wheel set, including the bearing and axle box, and that the axle box acceleration signals are filtered for removing signal-parts contributed by vibrations of the track, including the rail, rail pads, fasteners, sleepers, and ballast.

Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the presence of at least one guide rail for a guided vehicle, include a first detector located downstream of a wheel. The detector is capable of detecting the presence of the rail and of transmitting a first signal relating to the presence of the rail to a monitoring member. A second detector located upstream of the wheel can be connected in parallel to the first detector and is capable of detecting the presence of the rail. The second detector can communicate a second signal, relating to the presence of the rail, to the monitoring member.

Abstract: A method for determining a characteristic of at least one position parameter, in particular of a disruption in the position parameter, of a track for a vehicle, in which detection values of at least one detection parameter affected by the position parameter are detected on a vehicle driving along a section of the track, and wherein the at least one position parameter for the track section is determined from the detection values. The current value of the position parameter is determined from the detection values as a function of the model data of a previously determined vehicle model of the vehicle, wherein a relationship between the position parameter and the at least one detection parameter affected by the position parameter is generated by way of the vehicle model.

Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of an object in a detection zone is provided. The device includes a transmission line, a generator which is connected to an input of the transmission line and which is able to generate an input signal, and a receiver which is connected to an output of the transmission line and which is able to measure an output signal, the transmission line being able to radiate a radiated signal in the detection zone when the generator generates the input signal, the detection device further including analysis means which are able to detect the presence of an object in the detection zone in accordance with the output signal.

Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.

Abstract: A rail vehicle includes an underbody which is subjected to thrown up ballast when the rail vehicle is operating on a ballasted section of track. In at least one embodiment, the underbody is equipped with at least one acoustic signal pickup which acoustically senses ballast stones striking the underbody; a signal processing device is provided to which a signal is fed from the at least one acoustic signal pickup and which processes the signal in such a way that a thrown up ballast signal is generated which represents the impacting of ballast stones on the underbody; and the thrown up ballast signal from the signal processing device is included in a mode of operation of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of mobile sensors to collect temperature information used to control, inter alia, rail vehicle speed, acceleration, or scheduling.

Abstract: A method and a device for diagnosis and state monitoring of a wear and functional state of a junction, a crossing, a crossroads, rail joints, and/or track nonuniformities of a rail traffic path made of several tracks measures and stores swing acceleration in at least one direction when overtaking a rail vehicle on a junction, crossings or crossroads, in addition to rail joints or track nonuniformities on at least one rail vehicle component, the swing acceleration being produced on the rail vehicle component when overtaking the rail vehicle at the junction, crossing or crossroads, rail joints, track nonuniformites. The method also measures and stores the rail vehicle speed and determines and stores the travel direction and the place of the junction, crossing or crossroads, rail joints, track nonuniformities, carries out a control as to whether characteristic, predetermined threshold values of the measured swing accelerations have been exceeded.

Abstract: A system and method for data logging, collection, and analysis techniques. Logging, collection, and analysis of data relating to the condition of a structure, such as a railway rail. Monitoring the neutral temperature of a railway rail.

Abstract: A system is for performing broken rail detection on a railway track. The system includes at least one locomotive and a monitoring entity. Each locomotive includes a receiver for receiving a track signal that is circulating in the railway track and a processing unit that is in communication with the receiver. The processing unit is operative for detecting a characteristic of the track signal and generating a signal indicative of a potential broken rail in response to a change in the characteristic of the track signal. The locomotive further includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the signal indicative of a potential broken rail over a wireless communication link. The monitoring entity includes a receiver for receiving the signal indicative of a potential broken rail and a processing unit for detecting a broken rail at least in part on the basis of the signal indicative of a potential broken rail from the locomotive.

Abstract: A train control system includes a positioning system and consults a database to determine when the train is approaching a configurable device such as a switch or grade crossing gate. The system continuously interrogates the device to determine its status as the train approaches the device, and forces an engineer/conductor to acknowledge any detected malfunction. The train is forced to come to a complete stop before proceeding past the device or may be slowed down to a speed that will allow the engineer/conductor to visually determine whether it is safe to proceed past the device if the engineer/conductor acknowledges a message warning of the malfunction and will stop the train if the engineer/conductor fails to acknowledge the warning message.

Abstract: A rail break or vehicle detection system includes a plurality of voltage sources, each coupled to one of the plurality of zones. A plurality of resistors are provided, each coupled in series with one of the plurality of voltage sources. A plurality of current sensors are provided, each coupled to one of the plurality of resistors and adapted to measure a first set of values and second set of values indicative of current flowing through the resistor. At least one control unit is adapted to receive input from the plurality of current sensors and to compare a difference between the second set of values and the first set of values to a predetermined threshold limit to detect presence of a rail vehicle on the block. The control unit is further adapted to switch a polarity of each voltage source.

Abstract: A system to monitor the integrity of a railway track is provided. The system comprises a mechanical signal source and a correlation detector. The mechanical signal source coupled to the railway track and is configured for generating a mechanical signal pulse train over the railway track. The correlation detector monitors the integrity of the railway track by observing the pulse trains transmitted by the mechanical signal sources. If the railway track is intact, then the pulse train will travel to the correlation detector and afford the opportunity for repeatable detection.

Abstract: A railroad signaling system operative for controlling railroad traffic to control signals, said system comprising: a control point; a control block having a plurality of common nodes and a node which serves as a control point; and a common medium which is capable of transmitting the control signals and separate independent messages while precluding interference between said control signals and said independent messages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detect completely broken rails in an unoccupied section of railroad track including two rails without insulated joints by subdividing the track section into current loops and applying commercial AC power near the physical center of the track section while causing, under the condition of the rails being intact, approximately equal currents to flow in each resulting half of the track section. Currents are sensed through induction of voltages in an electrically-isolated coil mounted directly to the rails. A rail break is detected from a subsequent decrease in the coil voltage resulting from a reduction of current due to the rail break in at least one half of the track section with respect to a reference value determined while the rails were intact and due to the break.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting obstacles on railroad lines. Sensors for observing the railroad line are arranged along the railroad line, and automatic evaluation takes place. One advantage of the invention is that the railroad lines are divided into given, known line sections, each of which is monitored by a respective sensor, whereby the evaluation process is simplified. If the sensors are designed as video cameras, for example, a comparison with still images may suffice for the evaluation. Furthermore, as the line sections re known, a simple masking technique can be used. Obstacles outside a set route to be monitored are masked out using suitable masks.

Abstract: A warning system for identifying a track misalignment. An RF generator and horn antenna direct energy onto a track rail that acts as a traveling wave antenna. An antenna near a potential discontinuity radiates RF energy, the amount of energy radiated being related to the amount of misalignment in the track. If radiated energy exceeds a certain threshold, a receiver energizes an alarm that announces a misalignment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detect completely broken rails in an unoccupied section of railroad track including two rails without insulated joints by subdividing the track section into current loops and applying commercial AC power near the physical center of the track section while causing, under the condition of the rails being intact, approximately equal currents to flow in each resulting half of the track section. Currents are sensed through induction of voltages in an electrically-isolated coil mounted directly to the rails. A rail break is detected from a subsequent decrease in the coil voltage resulting from a reduction of current due to the rail break in at least one half of the track section with respect to a reference value determined while the rails were intact and due to the break.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the safety of railroad systems of the present invention includes a system for navigating a railroad vehicle over railroad tracks. An attitude sensor is used to dynamically sense the attitude of the railroad vehicle as it travels over a set of railroad tracks. By sensing the attitude of the railroad vehicle, a determination of the condition of the railroad tracks can be made. The apparatus also sensed the position of the railroad vehicle in real time to correlate the sensed attitude with a precise position along the railroad tracks. The navigation system is capable of determining a highly accurate position of the vehicle in real time. The position of the vehicle is also used to navigate the railroad vehicle.

Abstract: A highly reliable early warning system is disclosed. The warning system provides immediate detection of railway activity and early warning of dangerous railway conditions to train crews and to Rail Traffic Control offices. The warning system has acoustic sensors coupled to one of the rails of a railway for detecting sound or vibration transmitted from physical events. The detected acoustic signals are analyzed by a computer sound recognition system to ascertain the nature of the event causing the signal. If a suspect condition is identified or an unrecognized high energy acoustic signature is detected, an alarm is generated. The alarm signal may be transmitted over any communication system to the Rail Traffic Control office and to the trains traveling toward the suspect track location. The system can also detect railway rolling stock problems such as flat spots on wheels or derailed cars. When desired, the alarm may employ wireless transmissions to stop the trains remotely.

Abstract: A hazard predictor that processes both rail and superstructure measurements to predict some potentially hazardous conditions on a railway structure. Measurement is collected in real time with the aid of fiber optic sensor based linear array mesh, and processed with a neural network. Sensors placed under the rail and sensors placed laterally of the rail provide data collection in real time both during occupied and unoccupied periods. In some embodiments the measurement data is compressed into two signatures which can be represented as two vectors. The collinearity of the vectors and the angle between the vectors are utilized to interpret the data as to track conditions. The angle between the descriptors can be used to predict the severity of degradation of the structure. The predictor can be used to manage maintenance of the structure and interface with existing railway signalling equipment to provide traffic management.

Abstract: A warning detonator for use on railway tracks or the like is disclosed. The detonator comprises a tube or cylinder (18) having disposed therein at spaced apart locations a length of elastomer (20) and a first explosive component (24, 25). A second explosive component (21) is located therebetween. The second explosive component (21) is also disposed within a cartridge (19) inside the cylinder (18). In use the cylinder (18) is affixed along a length of railway track in a manner whereby the wheel of a passing train progressively compresses the elastomer from its outer end so as to burst an end face (23) of the cartridge (19) and drive the second explosive component (21) into contact with the first explosive component (24, 25) to cause detonation thereof.

Abstract: Sonic transponders mounted on a train and the track upon which it rolls transmit and receive sonic vibrations along the track. Information currently being transmitted electrically may also be thus transmitted sonically. Since the track interferes with the sonic vibration more than it does with an electrical signal, the condition of the track may also be determined.

Abstract: A sensing system for use on a tracked vehicle transporation system forms a sensitive floor beneath the lip of a platform. The floor is made up of a plurality of metal plates mounted on spring supports so that they can be slightly depressed if an abnormal load is applied to them. Such depression changes the state of a switch or like means through the intermediary of a cable and a lever.

Abstract: A railroad track alarm. The alarm comprises a switch box mountable between the rails of a railroad track. There are openings in the ends of the switch box and first and second switches located in the switch box. Two rods extend outwardly from inside the switch box through the openings, one rod towards each rail of the track when the alarm is in its useful position between the rails. The alarm has means urging each rod outwardly. Each rod is linked to a switch so that when the rods move outwardly relative to each other by a first amount the first switch is tripped and when the rods move outwardly relative to each other by a second amount, larger than the first, the second switch is tripped. The alarm is simple to set. Unlike prior art alarms it sets an alarm for wide gauge and for other track damage.