System and method for virtual approach signal restriction upgrade
A system and method for providing a virtual approach signal restriction upgrade between physical signaling components is presented. In one embodiment, in a CTC type of operation, the use of a virtual signal with signal type functionality to split a block into two or more sections can allow a train currently governed by an approach indication to accelerate on a clear indication if the advance signal indication upgrades. The addition of audio frequency type circuits with the advance signal indication can allow a train to upgrade from a restricting indication to an approach or clear indication, while protecting open HT switches, broken rail, hazards, and follow up moves. The present invention provides a system for allowing trains to upgrade from a “restricting” indication to an “approach” or “clear and accelerate” indication with an upgraded PTC track line for the segment.
1. A method of virtual approach signaling, comprising:
receiving a signal indication for a virtual approach signal;
displaying a position of the virtual approach signal along a segment of track on a display of a PTC onboard terminal within a locomotive;
identifying the signal indication of the virtual approach signal indicating a status of a next segment of track;
monitoring, via electronic circuit, the segment of track for broken rails, hazards, and switches;
determining the signal colors of physical signaling components by determining whether an electronic circuit is energized or de-energized;
when the signal colors include red, flashing red, yellow, flashing yellow, or green, and the circuit is not energized, the virtual approach signal in the segment of track includes a restricting indicator;
when the signal colors include red or flashing red, and the circuit is energized, the virtual approach signal in the segment of track includes an approach indicator; and
when the signal colors include yellow, flashing yellow, or green, and the circuit is energized, the virtual approach signal in the segment of track includes a clear indicator.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit along with an upgrade to a signal location allows an upgrade to the virtual approach signal located in the segment of track.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtual approach signal can include a first approach indicator and a second approach indicator.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second approach indicator can include a full speed indicator along the next segment of track, until the locomotive reaches the next virtual approach signal.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first approach indicator can include a restricted speed requirement along the next segment of track, until the locomotive reaches the next virtual approach signal.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying, via the PTC onboard terminal, a relative position of the locomotive along the segment of track.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the next segment of track corresponds to a distance between two virtual approach signals, a distance between an absolute signal and the virtual approach signal, or a distance between an intermediate signal and the virtual approach signal.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit covers the entire segment of track.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic circuit covers part of the segment of track.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the de-energized electronic circuit can de-energize a relay corresponding to the electronic circuit.
11. A virtual approach signaling system, comprising:
at least one processor; and
a memory operably coupled to the at least one processor and storing machine-readable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, perform program steps, including:
receiving a signal indication for a virtual approach signal;
displaying a position of the virtual approach signal along a segment of track on a display of a PTC onboard terminal within a locomotive;
identifying the signal indication of the virtual approach signal indicating a status of a next segment of track;
monitoring, via electronic circuit, the segment of track for broken rails, hazards, and switches;
determining the signal colors of physical signaling components by determining whether an electronic circuit is energized or de-energized;
when the signal colors include red, flashing red, yellow, flashing yellow, or green, and the circuit is not energized, the virtual approach signal in the segment of track includes a restricting indicator;
when the signal colors include red or flashing red, and the circuit is energized, the virtual approach signal in the segment of track includes an approach indicator; and
when the signal colors include yellow, flashing yellow, or green, and the circuit is energized, the virtual approach signal in the segment of track includes a clear indicator.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the electronic circuit along with an upgrade to a signal location allows an upgrade to the virtual approach signal located in the segment of track.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the virtual approach signal can include a first approach indicator and a second approach indicator.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the second approach indicator can include a full speed indicator along the next segment of track, until the locomotive reaches the next virtual approach signal.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the first approach indicator can include a restricted speed requirement along the next segment of track, until the locomotive reaches the next virtual approach signal.
16. The system of claim 11 , the program steps further comprising displaying, via the PTC onboard terminal, a relative position of the locomotive along the segment of track.
17. The system of claim 11 , wherein the next segment of track corresponds to a distance between two virtual approach signals, a distance between an absolute signal and the virtual approach signal, or a distance between an intermediate signal and the virtual approach signal.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the electronic circuit covers the entire segment of track.
19. The system of claim 11 , wherein the electronic circuit covers part of the segment of track.
20. The system of claim 11 , wherein the de-energized electronic circuit can de-energize a relay corresponding to the electronic circuit.