Abstract: The invention makes it possible to control a multiplicity of trains on a extensive railway systems using comparatively few complex means without it being necessary for there to be any knowledge of the route on the trains or any locating devices for the trains mounted along the route. For the trains to determine their own position, a satellite locating method is preferably used, which permits the travel location of a train, and thus its current stopping range, to be determined with sufficient precision. By determining such stopping ranges for the trains and by prescribing extensive route areas which apply for the trains, in each case in the form of polygons in a uniform coordinate system, it is possible reliably to detect any collisions of these polygons in order then to request in good time the assignment of current route areas or to start braking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a decision procedure in combinational logic which requires a computing time of n for determining the congestion of a railway track system. The railway track system supports n trains, each with a route length of m itineraries. Prior to setting a requested route segment for a given train, a query is performed to check train positions and whether the given train is allowed to travel on the track sectors to be used for the requested route segment, without causing a possibility that the track system may become congested. The processing steps can be reduced. a) verification of whether a train can reach the next immediate track sector of a route; b) verification for a two-train variation whether a reference position of the first train prevents the second train from traveling on its route; c) new dependencies are created using transitivity and for combinations of two trains, a verification is made whether a cogent sequence exists.

Abstract: An improved communications for an electrified monorail includes an off-board programmable logic controller having at least one output electrically coupled to a buss bar of the electrified monorail. At least one other programmable logic controller is mounted on a vehicle that travels on the electrified monorail and includes at least one input in electrical contact with the buss bar. The off-board programmable logic controller is programmed to set its output at a series of high and low voltages corresponding to a message. The on-board programmable logic controller is programmed to detect the series of high and low voltages, store them at least temporarily in memory, and act accordingly upon the transmitted message.

Abstract: A beacon system for determining its position and transmitting its location to trains on the track. The length of the zone and any operational restrictions can also be transmitted. The location of the zone can be displayed on the train. The beacon system uses a global navigational position system for determining its location, and a transmitter for transmitting its location to trains on the track.

Abstract: To provide a mobile integrated intelligent network as basis for a pan-European universal railway communication system wherein a local control is enabled for subscribers roaming internationally it is proposed to provide a service switching means (SSF) for this mobile integrated intelligent network with an interrogation means (24) adapted to receive at least a routable number from a service control unit (14) in accordance with a functional number supplied thereto. Further, the service switching unit (SSF) comprises an address storage unit (26; 34-1, . . . , 34-n) storing an address of the service control unit (14) such that the interrogation is directed to a local service control unit (14) in the event of international roaming.

Abstract: The invention makes it possible to control a multiplicity of trains on a extensive railway systems using comparatively few complex means without it being necessary for there to be any knowledge of the route on the trains or any locating devices for the trains mounted along the route. For the trains to determine their own position, a satellite locating method is preferably used, which permits the travel location of a train, and thus its current stopping range, to be determined with sufficient precision. By determining such stopping ranges for the trains and by prescribing extensive route areas which apply for the trains, in each case in the form of polygons in a uniform coordinate system, it is possible reliably to detect any collisions of these polygons in order then to request in good time the assignment of current route areas or to start braking.

Abstract: A system and method for preventing collisions between vehicles, such as railway vehicles, by exchanging data regarding track position of the vehicles. By use of an on-board track database, the system provides an indication of the distance between vehicles based not on line-of-sight but on track distance. Additionally, a system and method for accurately determining location of railway vehicles without the use of a network of trackside indicators. The disclosed system uses a gyro, position indicator, and a satellite position determination along with a track database to maintain highly accurate estimates of measurement errors and track position.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically controlling the operation of a plurality of unmanned freight trains operating over a predetermined track layout. The method includes generating a movement plan that provides for the operation of the freight trains over several alternative routes within the track layout. A wireless communication system is used to transmit speed and braking commands to the freight trains. Commands for the wayside resources are transmitted, using wireless communications, as necessary to carry out the movement plan.

Abstract: The monorail system of the present invention contains a monorail and a system controller that has a first radio frequency ethernet communications device. Location markers are attached to the monorail. A vehicle is positioned to move on the monorail. The vehicle contains a motor drive system that moves the vehicle on the monorail. A remote controller is interconnected to the motor drive system, and the remote controller controls movement of the vehicle and receives information from the system controller. A reader connected to the remote controller senses the location markers attached to the monorail. A second radio frequency ethernet communications device is provided and is connected to the remote controller. The radio frequency ethernet communications device wirelessly communicates with the first radio frequency ethernet communications device on the system controller to create a wireless ethernet network containing at least the system controller and the remote controller.

Abstract: A system for supervising and controlling the movement of a railway vehicle is provided, wherein a plurality of wayside controller units are each distributed to a plurality of wayside controller locations by a multi-access carrier, such as a fiber LAN or IEEE 802.3 Ethernet, for instance, such that supervisory and control operations may be communicated between each of the wayside controller units with a multi-access protocol on the multi-access carrier. The present invention replaces the use of a serial-link protocol for point-to-point communication with a multi-access protocol on a multi-access carrier. In a preferred embodiment, a computer-based control system may be connected through the multi-access carrier, so that communication is achieved solely with multi-access protocols.

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: The invention concerns a process and a circuit arrangment to transmit digital control data, preferably between a central station and individual locomotives of a model railway. In order to make possible an association between transmitters and receivers with strongly dispersed frequencies, the receiver frequency is to be adapted to the transmitter frequency. The step width of the adaptation and therefore of the synchronization is to be determined differently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling railroad train movement over a layout of railroad track that is defined geographically using a linear network of geographic control objects which includes signals, switches and track blocks. Each signal has signal control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of signal condition, and the ability to initiate a change in signal condition. Each switch has switch control hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address, representation of switch condition, and the ability to initiate a change in switch condition. Each track block has hardware and software logic, which logic includes an address and a representation of track block occupancy condition. The method is specifically directed to establishing communication between each signal logic, switch logic, and track logic, and only its next adjacent logic neighbors regardless of whether it be signal logic, switch logic, or track logic.

Abstract: A model railroad car position indicator includes a sensor receptive to the presence of a model railroad car on a track. Control circuitry determines the location of the car relative to a predetermined position on the track and approves initiation of a model train process if the car is within a range of acceptable positions for initiating the process. A preferred embodiment includes circuitry for determining whether the car velocity is less than a predetermined threshold velocity. In this embodiment, approval of initiation of the model train process is conditioned on both the car position being acceptable and the car velocity being acceptable. An indicator provides feedback to the model train operator for manual initiation of the model train process. Alternatively, the control circuit may automatically initiate the process.

Abstract: A vital railway signal link for passing DC signals between a first terminal location and a second terminal location. A transmitter at the first terminal location receives a DC input signal and responsively produces a light signal modulated at a preselected frequency. The light signal is conducted through an optical fiber to the second terminal location. There, a receiver detects the light signal and produces a DC output signal. The receiver contains discriminator circuitry preferably including a bandpass filter to prevent light signals other than those modulated at the preselected frequency from giving an output signal.

Abstract: A train traffic control system which automatically prepares a shuttle service diagram based on a partial simulation of each train, at each station, etc., executed only by setting such initial data of the shuttle service as current states of trains in operation and possibility of service extension to other line, that is, other company line, a branch line or the like, when the shuttle service is required in a limited train section due to railroad accident or the like during the traffic control by a normal diagram, and controls the train route according to the shuttle service diagram.

Abstract: A railway traffic control system in which accurate vehicle information is effectively available in real-time to facilitate control of traffic flow. Unlike prior art methods of precisely monitoring train location, the current invention is dependant only on equipment on-board the vehicle and position updates provided by external benchmarks located along the track route. The system's dynamic motion capabilities can also be used to sense and store track rail signatures, as a function of rail distance, which can be routinely analyzed to assist in determining rail and road-bed conditions for preventative maintenance purposes. In presently preferred embodiments, the on-board vehicle information detection equipment comprises an inertial measurement unit providing dynamic vehicle motion information to a position processor.

Abstract: A railroad interlocking control system utilizing a plurality of programmable controllers to regulate flow of train traffic through an interlocking track layout in which a number of track routes converge and overlap into a bottleneck area. Control of switch and signal devices in the bottleneck area is shared by multiple programmable controllers which may reduce redundancy requirements of prior art arrangements.

Abstract: A radio communication control system for a lead unit and a plurality of remote units is disclosed. The system has a protocol for establishing a communication link between the lead unit and the one or more remote units in the system which prevents any of the units in that system from processing messages or commands from other units in other train systems or processing messages or commands originating from units within a train system which are addressed to other units within the system. The communication system also includes a communications channel contention system for minimizing the probability of multiple units transmitting on the common communication channel at the same time and for insuring that the highest priority communications in each train are transmitted first in time measured from the end of the latest transmission on the radio communications channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for determining when a train operating in a transit system is not moving along a provided travel path in accordance with the sensed actual occupancy time of a track signal block by that train in relation to a desired occupancy time in that track signal block by that train.

Abstract: In a transportation system of a floated-carrier type, a carrier is suspended from a guide rail, in a non-contact manner, and is propelled along the guide rail. The transportation system includes a plurality of track units, each having the ferromagnetic guide rail, an electrical wire, and a pair of connectors provided to both ends of the electrical wire. Each track unit comprises minimum and necessary elements required for traveling the carrier. When a connector of one track unit and that of the other track unit are connected, connection of electrical wires necessary for this system is completed. For this reason, an operation for mounting the electrical wires in the track can be omitted, and installation of the track can be facilitated. Furthermore, when the travel path of the carrier is to be modified, a combination of track units can be freely changed, thus realizing various travel paths of the carrier. For this reason, the travel path can be easily modified.

Abstract: A railway signalling system includes a plurality of trackside equipments (11,12) and means (1,2,3,4,6, 15,16) for transmitting control information to the equipments and receiving status information therefrom, each of the trackside equipments being provided with a respective microprocessor (13 or 14) via which such control information is transmitted from the said means to the equipment and via which such status information is received by said means from the equipment.

Abstract: A digital signal is used for railway track circuit signalling. A digital signal comprises a pseudo-random binary sequence selected from a set of such sequences. The set is chosen to give the lowest possible cross-correlation between different sequences, to minimize the risk of false identification. Gold codes are suitable. One of the sequences indicates the absence of a train from the track section and this code is generated until an indication is given by a train detector that a train is present. Generation of the train absence signal is then inhibited, and other sequences are generated providing information to the train. The generated sequences are received and coded in a fail-safe decoder.

Abstract: A railway vehicle control system comprises a railway track (1) and a plurality of transponders (N, N+1, N+2) at predetermined positions along the track. A railway vehicle (2) moves along the track, the vehicle having means (20, 21) for detecting each of the transponders. A control location has means (4, 5, 6, 7, 7a) for periodically transmitting vital safety signalling information to the vehicle via a radio link. In response to detection of one of the transponders, the vehicle sends a first message via the link to the control location and in response to reception of the first message by the control location, the vital safety signalling information is sent a first time from the control location to the vehicle via the link, then from the vehicle to the control location via the link and then a second time from the control location to the vehicle via the link.

Abstract: An interface system providing vital inputs to and vital outputs from a vital processor of railway signals for railway signalling and control purposes, utilizes non-vital components such as diodes and transistors. The input interface translates a railway signal, for example, from a relay contact closure of a track relay, into a multi-bit serial digital signal representing a restrictive state of the input railway signal in the event of any failure in the input interface. The output interface utilizes an absence of current detector having a saturable transformer coupled to an output line which provides operating current to railway signal and control devices, such as relays, switch machines and signal lamps.

Abstract: Reversal of the established traffic direction is initiated by a request for an entering train movement at the existing exit end of the single track stretch. This deenergizes the adjacent traffic line circuit section in the new direction. Line circuit deenergization cascades section by section through the stretch to the other end. At each location, the active traffic direction register relay is deenergized but the magnetic stick traffic relay holds in its established traffic position. At the new exit end, reception of the deenergization signal reverses positions of the traffic and direction register relays if the new approach track circuit is clear. This initiates the transmission of line circuit energy in the opposite direction. At each intermediate location, reception of this opposite direction line energy energizes the other direction register relay if the approach track circuit is clear.

Abstract: A modular control panel for controlling the switching operations in a miniature- or model-railway-line has grooves which reproduce the railway tracks, contacts being applied to the groove bottoms in the neighborhood of railway crossings, and is improved by the provision of a rotatable direction indicator placed at every line intersection so as to mask one or the other branch of a line bifurcation with one of its halves, the other half of said indicator defining the correct direction.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling vehicles equipped with computer systems from a center of a rapid transit system. If at least two vehicles equipped with computer systems form a train, and the computer system of the vehicle controlling the train fails, the control of the train can be shifted onto the computer system of another vehicle. Therefore, the individual on-board computers need not be fully redundant.

Abstract: A method for regulating vehicular traffic over a network of itineraries travelled by various vehicles such as railroad trains, or other public modes of transportation. On board, computer assisted vehicle control processes are advantageously combined with traditional time-table scheduling and modern centralized traffic control concepts. Simplified audio radio communications alleviate the need for intensive track equipment. Monitoring and signaling devices are limited to those dictated by safety rules and regulations. In order to limit to a minimum the exchange of data between each vehicle and the traffic control, a set of predetermined timetables are stored on board each vehicle. Traffic instructions are reduced to two elements, the identification of the assigned timetable and a time lag constant to be uniformly added to the time entries of the assigned time-table.

Abstract: A traffic control system for governing from a central office train control equipment such as track switches and track signals which are disposed along a stretch of railroad track. The control system is flexible in that it can operate with either the CTC (unit lever) type of control wherein the operator designates the particular condition or position of track switches and track signals, or in an NX mode wherein the operator merely designates a particular entrance and exit for a particular route. The control system offers still further flexibility in enabling the operator to simply initiate a passing move on a stretch of railroad track which includes a siding. Still further flexibility is built into the control system in that it allows the operator to designate conflicting control requests at the same time. After the particular operator selected control requests have been entered the control system checks the validity of the selected control requests in a predetermined sequence.