SYSTEMS FOR RAILROAD SWITCH POSITION DETECTION

1 . A system for detecting a position of a railroad switch, the system comprising:

a switch position detector configured to be disposed between switch rails of a rail track, the switch position detector including a sensor configured to detect a position of the switch rails;

one or more switch position beacons in communication with the switch position detector, each switch position beacon comprising a light source configured to emit visible light;

a controller coupled to the switch position detector and configured to:

determine the position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position; and

based on the position of the switch rails, transmit a first signal to the one or more switch position beacons.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein

the position of the switch rails is moveable between a first position and a second position; and

the controller is further configured to:

detect a change of the position of the switch rails between the first position and the second position; and

based on the change of the position of the switch rails, transmit a second signal to the one or more switch position beacons.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein in response to receiving the second signal, the one or more switch position beacons are configured to change a frequency of visible light emitted by the light source.

4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein:

the switch position detector comprises

a first sensor configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails;

a second sensor configured to detect a second switch rail tip of the switch rails; and

the controller is configured to:

calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip; and

calculate a second distance between the second sensor and the second switch rail tip; and

based on the first distance or the second distance increasing or decreasing by a predetermined amount, transmit the second signal to the one or more switch position beacons.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the one or more switch position beacons comprises a first beacon removably coupled to a first line of the rail track and a second beacon removably coupled to a second line of the rail track; and

the first beacon and the second beacon are positioned at least 25 meters from the switch position detector.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein:

the switch position detector is coupled to a rail tie of the rail track and configured to:

select the first line as a passable track;

transmit a passable signal to the first beacon; and

transmit a non-passable signal to the second beacon; and

based on receiving the passable signal, the first beacon is configured to emit light at a first frequency; and

based on receiving the non-passable signal, the second beacon is configured to emit light at a second frequency.

7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein:

the second beacon is configured to detect a rail vehicle travelling along the second line; and

based on receiving the non-passable signal and detecting the rail vehicle by the second beacon, the controller is configured to transmit a warning signal to the rail vehicle.

8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a personal alert device (“PAD”) in communication with the switch position detector, the PAD including an alarm and configured to be carried by a rail worker; and

a collision avoidance system (“CAS”) coupled to a rail vehicle and in communication with the switch position detector; and

wherein:

based on the PAD being within a first predetermined distance of the switch position detector, the controller is configured to transmit the first signal to the PAD; and

based on the CAS being within a second predetermined distance of the switch position detector, the controller is configured to transmit the first signal to the CAS.

9 . A portable railroad switch position detector comprising:

a first detector configured to be positioned between switch rails of a rail track, the first detector including:

a body having a first end and a second end;

a first sensor coupled to the first end of the body and configured to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails; and

a controller configured to:

calculate a first distance between the first sensor and the first switch rail tip; and

based on the first distance, determine a position of the switch rails between a first position and a second position; and

based on the position of the switch rails, transmit a first signal to one or more beacons positioned on the rail track;

wherein a height of the first detector is less than or equal to 10 centimeters.

10 . The detector of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to:

detect a change of the position of the switch rails between the first position and the second position; and

based on the change of the position of the switch rails, transmit a second signal to the one or more beacons.

11 . The detector of claim 10 , wherein:

the first detector comprises a second sensor configured to detect a second switch rail tip of the switch rails; and

the controller is configured to:

calculate a second distance between the second sensor and the second switch rail tip; and

based on the first distance or the second distance increasing or decreasing by a predetermined amount, transmit the second signal to the one or more beacons.

12 . The detector of claim 9 , wherein:

the first detector comprises a sensor housing coupled to the first end, the sensor housing including:

a bracket defining a plurality of openings; and

a sensor frame coupled to the bracket and defining a first opening; and

the first sensor is coupled to the sensor frame.

13 . The detector of claim 12 , the sensor frame is rotatable relative to the bracket such that:

a detection field of the first sensor rotates with the sensor frame; and

the first opening of the sensor frame is configured to align with at least three openings of the plurality of openings of the bracket.

14 . The detector of claim 9 , further comprising:

a second detector coupled to an inner surface of a first rail of the rail track;

wherein:

the second detector is configured to emit a second detection field that is angularly disposed to the inner surface of the first rail by a first angle; and

the controller is configured to:

based on the first switch rail tip being within the second detection field, transmit a third signal to the first detector; and

based on the first switch rail tip being outside of the second detection field, transmit a third signal to the first detector.

15 . The detector of claim 14 , wherein the second detector is spaced from an end of the first switch rail tip by at least five centimeters.

16 . The detector of claim 9 , wherein:

the first detector comprises an operation switch configured to be toggled between a first position and a second position; and

the controller is configured to:

based on the operation switch being in the first position set a first line as a passable track; and

based on the operation switch being in the second position, set a second line as the passable track.

17 . A method of operating a railroad safety system, the method comprising:

detecting, via a detector positioned between a rail track, a position of switch rails;

transmitting a first signal to a first beacon positioned on a first line of the rail track;

transmitting a second signal to a second beacon positioned on a second line of the rail track;

detecting, via the detector, a change in the position of the switch rails; and

transmitting a switch signal to the first and second beacons.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

setting a track set switch of the first beacon to a first position;

setting a track set switch of the second beacon to a second position; and

setting the first line or the second line as a passable track for a rail vehicle.

19 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

coupling the detector to a rail tie disposed between the switch rails;

positioning a first sensor of the detector to detect a first switch rail tip of the switch rails; and

positioning a second sensor of the detector to detect a second switch rail tip of the switch rails.

20 . The method of claim 19 , further comprising removing the detector, the first beacon, and the second beacon from the rail track.