Safetran Systems Corporation

Richard Bamfield

Martin Paget

John T Sharkey

Richard V Peel

Brad Wilcox

Apparatus, methods and a communication system for providing relatively constant warning time at a rail grade crossing for trains with prediction of the approach of a train from a remote controller via rail-based communications to a crossing controller. A first communication signal is generated when a prediction occurs and a second communication signal is generated for slower moving trains, with the second signal temporarily overriding the first signal to provide relatively constant warning time at the crossing. Cancellation timers with timing intervals are used to resolve situations where the train does not enter the approach or where the train leaves by way of a switch or backs out. Directional logic is used to determine the direction of movement of the train and, in conjunction with cancellation timers, causes the warning devices to be activated when the timers expire.

Apparatus and methods for providing relatively constant warning time at highway-rail crossings

An electronic controller for a highway-railroad grade crossing warning system is coupled to an approach circuit and to an island circuit and activates a warning device when a train is present in either of the approach or the island circuits. The controller has a display with touch-sensitive fields for selectively taking the approach circuit or island circuit out of service. Additional touch-sensitive fields on the display may be used for selecting the amount of time that the approach or island circuits remain out of service and for confirming that the maintainer wishes to take the these circuits out of service. Service is automatically restored upon expiration of the selected amount of time.

Highway-rail grade crossing controller with out of service mode

A method of programming or designing application logic for a highway-rail grade crossing warning system including the steps of providing a set of templates, each template of the set of templates defining a track circuit application for a grade crossing with different characteristics, selecting a template from the set that best corresponds to the track circuit application at the grade crossing, defining a set of default programming parameters for each template to program the controller, and inputting additional parameters into the controller to define other characteristics of the track circuit application. A visual representation of each template may be provided. This invention is also directed to the set of templates for programming the controller.

Template crossing design and programming for highway-rail grade crossings

A system for remotely calibrating or troubleshooting a highway-rail grade crossing using a communication device. A controller detects the approach and presence of a train on the rail, a communication link is coupled to the controller, a computer readable medium has a calibration or troubleshooting segment that is processed by the controller, the communication device communicates with the controller and the communication device sends signals to prompt the controller to selectively process the segment to enable the desired setup, calibration or troubleshooting functions. Related methods are also disclosed.

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Upland, CA, United States of America

Richard Bamfield