Abstract: At least one individual car that can be identified individually is contained in the consist. The configuration of an actually observed consist is determined and checked to see whether it matches relevant information data sets. If there is an exact match with one information data set, the latter is assigned to the consist. If there are multiple matches or no matches, the information data set associated with the consist is determined by identification of the individual car.

Abstract: A train warning system and method for warning personnel in proximity to railroad tracks of an approaching train includes a train sensor operable with the railroad tracks for detecting passage of a train over the railroad tracks at a given location. The train sensor generates a train sensor signal upon detecting passage of a train over the railroad tracks at the given location. A transmitter is operable with the train sensor for transmitting a warning signal upon receipt of the train sensor signal. A portable radio frequency (RF) receiver is carried by at least one of the personnel in proximity to the railroad tracks remote from the railroad tracks at the given location for receiving the warning signal transmitted by the transmitter. The portable RF receiver generates an alarm signal to notify the at least one of the personnel of the approaching train upon receipt of the warning signal.

Abstract: Proposed is a new early warning system for warning persons in a track building site of approaching trains, which receives the danger source consisting of a train by sensors and transmits the signals to alarm installations (8, 9, 10). The alarm installations consist of a siren (8) and optical warning device (10) for the transmission of flashing lights and of a vibrator (9) which can be carried at the body of a person to be warned. The sum of these three alarm installations in connection with suitable sensors (11) and an evaluating unit or central unit form the nucleus of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the presence of an approaching train, includes a warning indicator, a receiver for receiving a brake system status signal transmitted from an approaching train, and a relay for coupling a voltage potential to the warning indicator when the brake system status signal is received by the receiver, wherein the warning indicator, the receiver and the relay are positioned within a passenger vehicle. Also there is a method for detecting the presence of an approaching train by detecting a brake system status signal originating from the train.

Abstract: A system and method for warning personnel in proximity to railroad tracks of an approaching train is disclosed. A transmitter disposed on a train transmits a warning signal. The personnel are each provided with a portable Radio Frequency (RF) receiver (pager) for receiving the warning signal transmitted by the transmitter. Upon receiving the warning signal, the portable RF receivers generate alarms to notify the personnel of the impending arrival of the train.

Abstract: A transportation safety apparatus and method for the detection of obstacles which lie off the line-of-sight or beyond the field of view of a moving vehicle entails shooting a laser beam through the air from a moving vehicle, capturing the beam and passing it to a fiberoptic relay which transmits a laser pulse to a distant site, and receiving a reflection thereof if the site is clear of obstacles. The pulses are received within about 10-20 microseconds per kilometer of relay length from the time of launching, permitting monitoring of the probe-site in real-time.

Abstract: An automated announcement system allows messages to be played on a public address system and/or displayed on a display device in accordance with a predetermined schedule, which can be modified automatically to maintain a predetermined minimum interval between messages. Conflicts between messages to be played at the same time are detected and resolved by assigning priorities to messages based on deficits in the number of times each message has been played. Additional features of the automated announcement system include programmable control over announcement volume levels, the ability to input scheduling parameters which apply to specific announcements or to all announcements, the use of multi-level password protection to restrict specific system functions to authorized users, and an interface which allows live announcements to be made without interference from stored or recorded announcements.

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: A method and apparatus for detecting an impact sound, such as a sound caused by a railroad vehicle approaching a construction location. The apparatus comprises an arrangement for detecting impact sound or vibrations with a receiver mounted at the rail, for example, and, further, an evaluation circuit for processing the vibrations and triggering a warning signal when the intensity of the receiver-output signal continuously increases, for example, when the intensity in a predetermined frequency range passes through predetermined threshold values during predetermined times. Thus, an approaching railroad vehicle can be positively detected by monitoring a continuously increasing sound or vibration which is propagated in the rails.

Abstract: An automatic message announcement system for trains in the railroad station premises, including a train tracking circuit which tracks the location of approaching train, a trains information memory which stores information concerning each train, an edition circuit which combines the train information read out from said train information memory and a series of message patterns which include portions to be completed and which edits the message patterns to produce a series of short messages arranged sequentially according of their priority order to the content, an announcement message selection circuit which determines up to which short message among those arranged sequentially according to said priority order should be announced, in accordance with the location of the train at the time the announcement starts, and an automatic announcement system which includes a voice memory containing addressable voice segments for annoucing the message determined above.