Method and system for grade crossing protection
Apparatus and methods for a grade crossing protection system include at least one camera providing surveillance of a grade crossing, the at least one camera coupled to a transmitter configured to transmit a signal that includes imagery of the grade crossing to a transceiver onboard a train. A display unit onboard the train is provided to allow the train operator to view the grade crossing. A control unit in communication with the transceiver is configured to monitor the received signal and, based upon a determined location of the train relative to the train crossing, issue a command to the train's brake system to reduce the speed of the train, or stop the train, before the train reaches the grade crossing.
1. A method for automatically braking a train approaching a grade crossing comprising the steps of:
receiving, by an onboard control unit, a transmission comprising imagery of a surveillance area at a grade crossing;
displaying the received imagery on a device viewable by a train operator;
determining a position of the train relative to the grade crossing;
automatically reducing, by the onboard control unit, train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing; receiving an override command from an operator of the train; and overriding the automatic reduction in speed of the train based upon a status of the received transmission.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a position of the train based upon a Global Positioning Satellite signal.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a position of the train based upon a location signal received from a positioning transponder disposed along the train track; and
comparing the position of the train to a stored location of the grade crossing.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a received status of the transmission from grade crossing; and
stopping the train prior to the grade crossing based upon the determined status of the received signal.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein overriding the automatic reduction in speed comprises maintaining the speed of the train.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein overriding the automatic reduction in speed comprises increasing the speed of the train.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising stopping the train prior to the grade crossing based upon determining a lack of receipt of a subsequent transmission comprising imagery.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving comprises receiving a near-real time visual image of the surveillance area.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving comprises receiving a continuous sequence of images of the surveillance area.
10. A method of controlling a train approaching a grade crossing comprising:
receiving, by an onboard control unit, imagery of a surveillance area at a grade crossing;
displaying received imagery of the surveillance area at the grade crossing on a device viewable by a train operator;
monitoring the distance from the train to the grade crossing;
automatically reducing, by the onboard control unit, train speed to a predetermined speed at a predetermined distance from the grade crossing;
increasing or maintaining the train speed responsive to receipt of an override command from an operator of the train if imagery is displayed to the train operator;
stopping the train if imagery is not displayed to the train operator and an override command is not received from the train operator; receiving an override command from an operator of the train; and overriding the automatic reduction in speed of the train based upon a status of the received transmission.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the receiving comprises receiving a near-real time visual image of the surveillance area.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the receiving comprises receiving a continuous sequence of images of the surveillance area.