Abstract: A train control system includes an onboard equipment with a wireless receiver and connected to a railway vehicle, a wayside equipment with a wireless transmitter and assigned to an interlocking entry point, wherein the interlocking entry point includes a home signal, wherein the wayside equipment is configured to wirelessly transmit status data of the home signal to the onboard equipment of the railway vehicle when approaching the interlocking entry point via a wireless communication link, and wherein the onboard equipment is configured to receive the status data of the home signal via the wireless communication link and to determine a distance between the railway vehicle and the interlocking entry point.

Abstract: A system for simulating a railroad track. The system comprises one or more modular track simulation units that are smaller than conventional track simulators and are easy to use with and be connected to a device being tested (e.g., grade crossing predictor). Each track simulation unit may have one of a plurality of impedances associated with a corresponding railroad track length. The units are combinable such that the system can simulate multiple, different track lengths. Each unit has a plurality of test points that can be connected to the device under test and/or used to alter conditions of the simulated track.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a light emitting diode (LED) signal (100) includes optical detectors (120) for measuring a light output of LEDs (112, 114), a first processing unit (124) in communication with the plurality of optical detectors (120) and configured to receive and process measurement data of the light output from the plurality of optical detectors (120), and a first switching element (130) operably coupled to the first processing unit (124). The first processing unit (124) is further configured to transmit a control signal based on the measurement data of the light output of the plurality of LEDs (112, 114) to the first switching element (130) to disconnect a reference load (150) by switching from a first state to a second state when the light output is less than a predefined threshold value, wherein the second state of the first switching element (130) is stored in a storage medium (148).

Abstract: An optical system (100) for a light emitting diode (LED) signal includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) (12, 14), a plurality of optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) for diverging and collimating light generated by the plurality of LEDs (12, 14), wherein the plurality of LEDs (12, 14) and the plurality of optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) are sequentially arranged in an axial direction, and wherein the plurality of optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) are configured such that by altering an axial position of one of the optical lenses (20, 40, 60, 80) from a first defined axial position to a second defined axial position, a final angular light distribution of the optical system (100) is variable.

Abstract: A system (100) and method is provided that facilitates controlling signaling devices along railroad tracks in electrified territory. The system may include a first track circuit transmitter (116) connectable to a first end (160) of a first block (162) of a railroad track (180). A first processor (104) may be configured to determine a first signaling aspect (112) corresponding to a visible light signal outputted by a first signaling device (110) and cause the first track circuit transmitter to transmit a first code (166) corresponding to the first signaling aspect via a first AC carrier signal (164) through rails (182, 184) of the first block of the railroad track. The system may also include a first track circuit receiver (134) connectable to a second end (168) of the first block of the railroad track, which is configured to receive the first AC carrier signal through the rails of the first block of the railroad track and demodulate the first code from the first AC carrier signal.

Abstract: A modular lamp system (200) for a railroad crossing warning device includes a crossing lamp (210) and a crossing lamp base (220) controllable by a wayside control device (40), and a module (230) comprising an electronic circuit (250), wherein the crossing lamp base (220) is configured to provide power to the crossing lamp (210) and the module (230), and wherein, when the crossing lamp (210), the crossing lamp base (220) and the module (230) are assembled and in operation, the crossing lamp (210) performs a first action and the module (230) performs a second action, which is different from the first action.

Abstract: A signal light assembly is provided that comprises a multi-position Fresnel lens having a circumference, a first side and a second side. The signal light assembly further comprises a main housing configured to attach to the multi-position Fresnel lens. The multi-position Fresnel lens includes a first plurality of pads and a second plurality of pads on the first side of the multi-position Fresnel lens such that the first plurality of pads and the second plurality of pads are different and alternatively disposed. The first plurality of pads corresponds to a first range operation related to a first focal length. The second plurality of pads corresponds to a second range operation related to a second focal length.

Abstract: A machine learning system (100) for train route optimization includes a machine learning module (120) in communication with an optimization module (110) and including instructions stored in a memory that when executed by a processor (82) cause the machine learning module (120) to receive a plurality of schedules for railroad vehicles travelling through a track network transmitted by the optimization module (110), prioritize the plurality of schedules by applying at least one business rule (140) to the plurality of schedules based on dynamically learned behavior, and provide a prioritized list of schedules.

Abstract: A gate retraction device is provided to return a crossing gate arm to a home position. The gate retraction device comprises a frame to hold a gate pivot pin that is configured to provide a bi-directional rotation of the crossing gate arm. The gate retraction device further comprises a main pivot assembly that receives the gate pivot pin on one end so as to enable rotation of the main pivot assembly in a horizontal plane. The main pivot assembly comprises a first side and a second side opposite of the first side and wherein the main pivot assembly further comprises a spring pin extending on the first side and the second side of the main pivot assembly. The gate retraction device further comprises a spring-loaded assembly trapped against the spring pin of the main pivot assembly as the main pivot assembly rotates.

Abstract: A railway road crossing warning system (10) including a railway road crossing control unit (18) that may be selectively set to a primary or a secondary mode of operation is provided. In the primary mode of operation, the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to a primary activation signal (21) received from a primary activation-signal source (22), such as a positive train control (PTC) system. In the event the primary activation signal from the primary activation-signal source is not available, railway road crossing control unit (18) is set to the secondary mode of operation, where the railway road crossing control unit is responsive to one or more signals (25) received from a secondary activation-signal source (26) including a railway-vehicle sensing system (28) electrically-decoupled from a railroad track (12).

Abstract: A terminal block for use with a railroad terminal board may include a terminal block body comprising first and second sides, a plurality of first connection posts extending from the first side of the body, and a second connection post extending from the second side of the body. The second connection post may be connected to one of the plurality of first connection posts. The second connection post may be configured to mount the terminal block to the railroad terminal board. The terminal block body may include a single hole extending through the first and second sides and configured to accept a mounting screw for mounting the terminal block to the railroad terminal board.

Abstract: A railroad system including a wayside inspector system responsive to data originated from a real-time train tracking system, such as GPS or PTC is provided. The data from the real-time train tracking system includes data indicative of a respective train en route to a respective crossing. The data is further indicative of a respective direction of travel on a respective railway track of the respective train en route to the respective crossing. Disclosed embodiments offer a technical solution involving no physical sensing devices on the railway tracks for detection of the respective train en route to the respective crossing. This solution is effective for automated testing and reporting of timely activation of crossing warning equipment based on the data originated from the real-time train tracking system.

Abstract: A method (600) for generating schedules for railroad vehicles travelling within a railroad network using a genetic algorithm (GA) (100), through operation of at least one processor (82), includes providing an initial population (200) of initial schedules (220), each schedule (220) having first information of a railroad track network and second information of railroad vehicles travelling in the railroad track network for a specific time instance, selecting multiple schedules of the initial schedules (220), and generating a final population (480) of final schedules (420) utilizing crossover operation (400) between selected initial schedules (220), wherein the second information of the railroad vehicles travelling in the railroad track network are exchanged between the selected initial schedules (220).

Abstract: A locomotive simulation device may comprise a portable housing configured to be arranged in a closed position and at least one open position and a simulation system configured to generate locomotive simulation signals. A human-machine interface (HMI) may be accessible in the at least one open position and may be configured to accept at least one user input to the simulation system and present at least one output from the simulation system. At least one interface cable may be accessible in the at least one open position and may be configured to couple the simulation system to at least one external system. The simulation system may be configured to send the locomotive simulation signals to the at least one external system through the at least one interface cable and receive data from the at least one external system through the at least one interface cable.

Abstract: A distributed interlocking device, architecture and process are disclosed, and are based on segregating vital logic for a signal installation by type of signal equipment. A plurality of intelligent signal devices is disclosed, wherein each intelligent signal device is used to control a basic signal unit. A signal unit includes a set of signal apparatuses that are geographically and logically interrelated. An intelligent signal device receives data related to the states of other signal devices, determines and controls its own operational states, and communicates its own operational states to other devices. A generic intelligent signal device is also disclosed. Further, a plurality of new concepts, and signal control functions are provided, and include a vital change management process, and a failure recovery scheme based on dynamic reconfiguration of home and distant control functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the dynamic train-to-rail shunting performance of a train as it is moving along the rails of a railroad track. The systems and methods use portable equipment temporarily installed at a site where it is desired to test the shunting of one or more trains or the electrical equipment installed at the track. The systems and method use sensor plates and a high speed recording system to simultaneously capture measured train-to-rail shunting characteristics and the positioning of a train's axles and any rail conditions impacting the measurements. The captured information can be used to fine tune the train, the electrical equipment installed at the track and/or to design new devices.

Abstract: System and methods for determining train direction and speed using laser measurements. The speed and direction determinations can be used to monitor, diagnose, and/or report the operational performance of a crossing warning system.

Abstract: A thermal energy removal system is provided to cool a rail of a railway track in a self-powered mode and/or an externally-powered mode. The system comprises a cooling module configured to mount on a side of the rail to remove heat stored inside the rail. The cooling module includes a solid state electrical insulation sandwiched between a plate and a heat sink. The cooling module further includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first and second terminals to provide an electric energy source based on the heat extracted and harnessed for powering at least one of an electronic circuit, a light source, and a communication device associated with railways infrastructure.

Abstract: A computer implemented digital bridge that reduces the time and costs associated with designing and configuring hardware and/or logic for an application while also reducing the potential for errors during the process.

Abstract: A busway crossing warning system includes an approach tag reader, a crossing controller and a bus signal device. The approach tag reader is located in a bus lane on a road at a distance from an entrance of an intersection in a direction prior to a bus approaching the intersection, the bus being equipped with an identification tag. The approach tag reader detects the bus with the identification tag when the bus drives over the approach tag reader and sends out an approach signal to the crossing controller indicating the bus is approaching the intersection. The crossing controller activates bus signal device after receiving the approach signal to inform the bus is detected.