U.S. patent application number 15/749208 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for system for securing of safety of railroad crossing against vehicle entry during warning signaling.
The applicant listed for this patent is VLADIMIR KRANZ. Invention is credited to VLADIMIR KRANZ.
Application Number | 20180222506 15/749208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57137771 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180222506 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KRANZ; VLADIMIR |
August 9, 2018 |
System for securing of safety of railroad crossing against vehicle
entry during warning signaling
Abstract
According the application of the invention when barriers are
lowered, first are lowered barrier in front rails after, in
adjustable time delay, that barrier behind rails, what allow to
vehicles clear out rail area. Sensor advantageously senses area on
rails and in case of any obstruction for railway train delays
lowering of barriers or stops it till the time when obstruction
leaves rails. In the same time it transmits alarm into dispatching
of train transport and into coming railway train by means of
wireless connection. It simultaneously activates alarm siren and
advantageously voice announcement calling for releasing of
rails.
Inventors: |
KRANZ; VLADIMIR; (Prague,
CZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KRANZ; VLADIMIR |
Prague |
|
CZ |
|
|
Family ID: |
57137771 |
Appl. No.: |
15/749208 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
August 1, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/CZ2016/000084 |
371 Date: |
January 31, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61L 29/284 20130101;
B61L 29/30 20130101; B61L 23/04 20130101; B61L 29/224 20130101;
B61L 23/041 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61L 29/30 20060101
B61L029/30; B61L 23/04 20060101 B61L023/04; B61L 29/28 20060101
B61L029/28; B61L 29/22 20060101 B61L029/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2015 |
CZ |
PV 2015-535 |
Sep 1, 2015 |
CZ |
PV 2015-602 |
Nov 9, 2015 |
CZ |
PV 2015-799 |
Dec 1, 2015 |
CZ |
PV 2015-844 |
Dec 11, 2015 |
CZ |
PV 2015-893 |
Mar 4, 2016 |
CZ |
PV 2016-131 |
Jun 30, 2016 |
CZ |
PV 2016-401 |
Jul 28, 2016 |
CZ |
PV 2016-456 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. A system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
comprising: a warning traffic sign of the railroad crossing and/or
a light railroad crossing safety signaling equipment, preferably
formed by warning lights of the crossing, a detecting unit of state
of the crossing for detecting the state of a railroad crossing, a
control unit for processing the information about the state of the
railroad crossing from the detecting unit of state of the crossing
and for controlling at least one of the units: a barrier a stopper
of vehicles, a voice unit an alarm siren, a slow down section,
traffic sign "End of the speed limit", the stopper of vehicles for
stopping vehicles arriving to a railway crossing during a warning
signalization, which is activated at the beginning of a railroad
crossing warning signalization and deactivated optionally during
the active state of the warning signalization, or on the end.
18. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising a detector of railroad train for
detecting an incoming train.
19. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising the slow down section for slowing
down of vehicles arriving to a railroad crossing, which is equipped
with at least one traffic sign "Speed limit" and/or traffic sign
changing the speed limit, which are light and activated and
deactivated simultaneously with the stopper of vehicles, where, in
the case of the use of two or more traffic signs "Speed limit"
and/or traffic signs changing the speed limit, these signs have the
same value of the speed limit, or the speed limits are reduced in
the direction of the vehicles arriving to the railroad crossing,
and/or the slow down section comprises a stopper of vehicles the
second, which is activated when the speed limit is exceeded and
deactivated at the time when the railroad crossing warning
signalization is activated.
20. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising a barrier of the railroad crossing
placed in front of railroad crossing for stopping the vehicles in
front of the crossing at the time of warning signalization, wherein
advantageously the stopper of vehicles is deactivated when lowering
the barrier of the railroad crossing.
21. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising the barrier for preventing the
vehicle from continuing to drive towards the railroad crossing,
when warning signalization is activated, placed ahead of railroad
crossing that is lowered only when the vehicle is passing through
the "STOP" signal of the stopper (83) of vehicles.
22. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising a waiting lane where vehicle which
did not respect the red light "STOP" signal of the stopper of
vehicles detected by detector are directed by a traffic sign "No
entry for all vehicles" and/or a traffic sign "Indicated direction
of traffic" for preventing the vehicle from continuing to drive
towards the railroad crossing when the warning signalization is
activated, by the barrier for preventing the exit of such a vehicle
from the waiting lane.
23. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising a voice unit for at least one of:
an announcement of the information that the railroad train is
arriving, a call for the clearance of the railway crossing space,
an announcement of the passing through the red light signal, a call
to stop the vehicle, a deterrence of the person from the theft.
24. The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 17 comprising signaling lights on the roadway
for highlighting the signaling of the stopper of vehicles.
25. The system according to claim 17 comprising a unit for
detection of obstacle formed by a detector and/or camera for
detecting of an obstacle to the train, which is mostly formed by a
vehicle on railroad crossing, for wireless transmitting of a signal
from detector and/or video footages from camera to the control unit
and/or to a communication module for generating alarm about the
obstacle for transmitting to at least one of: the railroad train, a
control center of railway traffic control, a control center, other
selected participants, and/or for delaying the lowering of the
barriers behind the rails or stopping them, or raising of already
lowered barriers to the raised position by the control unit.
26. The system according to claim 17 comprising a dummy camera to
achieve greater discipline of drivers, advantageously replaced by a
right camera, optionally equipped for speed measuring.
27. The system according to claim 17 comprising unit for detection
of obstacle advantageously formed by a detector and/or camera for
detecting an obstacle, mostly formed by the vehicle, for wireless
transmitting the signal from detector and/or video footages from
camera to the control unit and/or a communication module for
generating alarm about the obstacle for transmission to at least
one of: the railroad train, a control center of railway traffic
control, a control center, other selected participants, and
simultaneously comprising the stopper of vehicles and/or the
barrier for stopping the vehicles, wherein if there is an obstacle
to the railroad train before the activation of the railroad
crossing warning signalization, there is enough time to stop the
railroad train and, after the activation of the warning
signalization, by stopping the vehicle by the "STOP" signal of the
stopper of vehicles and/or the barrier, for preventing the vehicle
from entering the railroad crossing and so it cannot cause the
obstacle.
28. A method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
comprising: securing of railroad crossing by the warning traffic
sign of the railroad crossing and/or the light railroad crossing
safety signaling equipment, detecting of the state of a railroad
crossing by detecting unit of state of the crossing, processing
information about the state of the railroad crossing from the
detecting unit of state of the crossing by the control unit and
controlling of at least one of the units: a barrier, a stopper of
vehicles, a voice unit, an alarm siren, a slow down section,
traffic sign "End of the speed limit", stopping vehicles arriving
to a railway crossing during a warning signalization by the stopper
of vehicles, which is activated at the beginning of a railroad
crossing warning signalization and deactivated optionally during
the active state of the warning signalization, or on the end.
29. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising detecting the incoming train by a
detector of railroad train.
30. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising slowing down of vehicles arriving
to a railroad crossing by the slow down section, which is equipped
with at least one traffic sign "Speed limit" and/or traffic sign
changing the speed limit, which are light and activated and
deactivated simultaneously with the stopper of vehicles, where, in
the case of the use of two or more traffic signs "Speed limit"
and/or traffic signs changing the speed limit, these signs have the
same value of the speed limit, or the speed limits are reduced in
the direction of the vehicles arriving to the railroad crossing,
and/or activating the stopper of vehicles the second within the
slow down section will take place on the basis of exceeding the
speed limit and the deactivation will occur when the railroad
crossing warning signalization is activated.
31. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising stopping the vehicles in front of
the railroad crossing at the time of warning signalization by the
barrier of the railroad crossing placed in front of railroad
crossing and advantageously deactivating the stopper of vehicles
when the barrier of the railroad crossing is lowered.
32. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising preventing the vehicle from
continuing to drive towards the railroad crossing, when warning
signalization is activated, by lowering the barrier placed ahead of
railroad crossing only at the time when the vehicle is passing
through the "STOP" signal of the stopper of vehicles.
33. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising directing the vehicle which did
not respect the red light "STOP" signal of the stopper of vehicles,
detected by the detector, by a traffic sign "No entry for all
vehicles" and/or a traffic sign "Indicated direction of traffic" to
the waiting line for preventing the vehicle from continuing to
drive towards the railroad crossing, when the warning signalization
is activated, by the by the barrier for preventing the exit of such
a vehicle from the waiting lane.
34. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising at least one of: an announcement
of the information that the railroad train is arriving, a call for
the clearance of the railway crossing space, an announcement of the
passing through the red light signal, a call to stop the vehicle, a
deterrence of the person from the theft by the voice unit.
35. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising detecting an obstacle, mostly
formed by the vehicle, by the unit for detection of obstacle
advantageously formed by a detector and/or camera for wireless
transmitting the signal from detector and/or video footages from
camera to the control unit and/or a communication module for
generating alarm about the obstacle for transmitting to at least
one of: the railroad train, a control center of railway traffic
control, a control center, other selected participants, and/or for
delaying the lowering of the barriers behind the rails or stopping
them, or raising of already lowered barriers to the raised position
by the control unit.
36. The method for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to claim 28 comprising detecting an obstacle, mostly
formed by the vehicle, by the unit for detection of obstacle
advantageously formed by a detector and/or camera for wireless
transmitting the signal from detector and/or video footages from
camera to the control unit and/or a communication module for
generating alarm about the obstacle for transmission to at least
one of: the railroad train, a control center of railway traffic
control, a control center, other selected participants, and
simultaneously comprising stopping the vehicles by the stopper of
vehicles and/or the barrier, wherein if there is an obstacle to the
railroad train before the activation of the railroad crossing
warning signalization, there is enough time to stop the railroad
train and, after the activation of the warning signalization,
stopping the vehicle by the "STOP" signal of the stopper of
vehicles and/or by the barrier, for preventing the vehicle from
entering the railroad crossing and so it cannot cause the obstacle.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to the system for securing of safety
of railroad crossing against vehicle entry during warning
signaling, especially to the device for railroad crossing
security.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] According to the existing state of the art, systems for
securing of safety of railroad crossing don't deal with obstacles
in any way, e.g. a vehicle which can get stuck in between the
barriers and therefore, stuck on the tracks, it may cause an
accident, a collision with passing train. All the barriers are
lowered simultaneously, so that vehicles which enter the crossing
after lowering of barriers cannot leave the crossing, as the exit
is blocked by the barriers behind the tracks. Even though barriers
are designed to allow vehicles to drive violently through, some
drivers get dissuaded psychologically and leave their vehicles on
the railway tracks, causing an accident. Train-driver has no
information about such unexpected obstacle, noticing it visually
only, which often means noticing it too late to prevent the
accident.
[0003] It happens that vehicles are secured to not enter crossing
after the beginning of signaling sound alarm before lowering of
barriers by activation of two flashing red lights placed side by
side only and some vehicles do enter the crossing even though the
signaling sound alarm was activated.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0004] Insufficiencies of the existing state of the art are
eliminated in application of the invention system for securing of
safety of railroad crossing against vehicle entry during warning
signaling, which, when the system of lowering of barriers is
activated, lowers the barriers in front of the tracks from driver's
point of view first and later on, after an adjustable period of
time, it lowers the barriers behind the tracks, thus allowing
drivers of vehicles which entered the crossing shortly before the
lowering of barriers in front of the tracks to leave the tracks in
time. Another option is that the barriers are lowered
simultaneously, while a detector advantageously detects the area on
the tracks and when an obstacle is detected, it delays the lowering
of barriers behind the tracks or it stops it or it lifts the
barriers back to the unlowered position until the time when the
crossing is rid of obstacles, then the barriers are lowered. At the
same time, the device activates an alarm in the control center of
railway traffic and in the approaching train via wireless
connection. Simultaneously, the device activates advantageously an
alarm siren and it activates advantageously a voice request to free
the tracks.
[0005] A camera transmits, advantageously, video footage from the
area of the crossing to the control center and/or to the train. A
technical device in the train informs the train-driver
advantageously about the obstacle, allowing him to reduce the speed
of the train so that he may stop it or slow it down sufficiently.
Slowing down or stopping of the train may be carried out also
automatically, by the control unit of the train.
[0006] Advantageously, another signalization of the crossing is
situated on the access road, in front of the system of barriers,
visible to approaching vehicles. Advantageously, such signalization
may consist of one to three color traffic lights, similar to those
on the crossroads. After the activation of sound alarm, such
traffic lights secure halting of vehicles via red light,
advantageously before the lowering of barriers. A communication
module, connected to the control unit which controls the system of
barriers, transmits data about the situation on the crossing
(especially the data concerning possible obstacles on the crossing
and the data concerning the state of devices on the crossing) to
the train, to the control center of railway traffic and,
advantageously, to a server which is accessible to selected
participants: train, control center, control of train traffic,
firemen, police and other participants. The control unit is
connected to a detector, to cameras and other sources providing
information on the state of the system of barriers. The control
unit advantageously controls the system of barriers, the
signalization, color traffic lights, voice unit and sound alarm
siren.
[0007] System of barriers, controlled by the control unit, is in
idle state when all the barriers of which the system consists, in
front of the tracks and behind them, are in open, unlowered
position.
[0008] In the process of lowering of the barriers, signalization is
activated, consisting advantageously of two alternately flashing
lights, placed side by side. After an adjustable period of time,
the lowering of barriers begins. Later, after another adjustable
period of time, advantageously necessary for a vehicle to leave the
tracks, the lowering of barriers behind the tracks begins. Barriers
can be lowered simultaneously, or the barriers behind the tracks
can be delayed by an adjustable period of time after the activation
of the warning signalization of the system of barriers.
[0009] A sensor for detection of obstacles in the area of the
system of barriers advantageously detects the area of the system of
barriers and in the case of detection of an obstacle for the train,
e.g. of a vehicle on the tracks, at the time of activation of
warning signalization of barriers it transmits a signal to the
control unit which controls the system of barriers and it
advantageously stops or delays the lowering of barriers behind the
tracks, or, in the case when the barriers are already lowered, it
lifts them up until the area is rid of obstacles. At the same time,
via wireless connection, the communication module advantageously
causes alarm in the control center of railway traffic control, in
the approaching train and in other selected participants. It
transmits advantageously the alarm and/or video footages from
cameras directly to the train, via wireless connection.
Simultaneously the sound alarm siren is activated advantageously,
indicating the immediate need of removal of an obstacle, e.g. of a
vehicle. A vocal request to leave the tracks is produced
advantageously by the voice unit A camera transmits advantageously
live real time footages from the area of the system of barriers to
the control center and, advantageously, to the control unit of the
train, from where the video is displayed on the train-driver's
display. Voice or data communication with the control center is
carried out wirelessly. After obtaining of information about
obstacle, the train informs the train-driver visually,
advantageously via display or by a pilot light, or advantageously
acoustically by a vocal message or by a tone from speakers. The
train is slowed down manually by the train-driver or automatically,
by a control unit, advantageously gradually so that it can stop in
time, in case the obstacle is not removed. A display showing
numerical data providing information about time remaining until the
lowering of barriers is placed advantageously on the pole of
signalization of the crossing. A display showing symbolically open
barriers is placed on the pole of signalization of the crossing
advantageously, advantageously in white or green color which turns
into red as the display shows lowering barriers before the barriers
in front of the tracks begin to be lowered. A traffic light
advantageously of one to three colors is placed advantageously in
the system of barriers or in an adjustable distance in front of
them, visible to the approaching vehicles, advantageously analogous
to the three color traffic lights of roadway traffic. Together with
the activation of the crossing's signaling light, green light turns
to orange and later on to red, before the lowering of barriers in
front of the tracks. One-color light signals red right away,
whereas the two-color light begins signaling with orange light. The
signal light of the crossing can be advantageously replaced by
three-color traffic lights.
[0010] The communication module transmits the alarm advantageously
and the video footage advantageously to fire brigade, to the
police, to the emergency control center, so that they are prepared
for intervention if collision takes place in the area of the system
of barriers.
[0011] The camera transmits all the necessary data to the police,
e.g. the license plate number of an obstructive vehicle, thus
permitting a penalization of the side that caused the placement of
an obstacle on the tracks, e g. of the driver. In the case when the
obstacle consists of a vehicle which leaves the area of barriers
without an accident, the police is equipped advantageously with the
control of a roadside display ordering the vehicle to await their
arrival, e.g. it orders the driver to stop in an emergency lane and
await the arrival of the police there.
[0012] The communication module transmits data advantageously to a
server, accessible to the selected participants, e.g. to the
control center of railway traffic control and to the train, via
internet connection. Selected participants can access data
concerning the state of all the systems of barriers equipped with
communication modules and appropriate units for image capturing
and/or for detection of obstacles advantageously with sensors
and/or cameras. A detector of trains is advantageously placed on
the railway and when an approaching train is detected,
advantageously from a longer distance than the distance of
visibility, it warns at the crossing by a siren and advantageously
by a recorded vocal announcement. A camera system is placed
advantageously on the railway, it consists advantageously of
several cameras of camera system placed in front of the system of
barriers, and it transmits advantageously a real-time live footage
of passing trains, advantageously switching between cameras to
those actually shooting the passing train at the moment, to roadway
screens visible to the drivers who approach the system of
barriers--this has a psychological effect preventing the drivers
from entering the area of the system of barriers while the warning
sound alarm is active. Advantageously, the distance of the
approaching train to the crossing is displayed. The real-time live
footage of passing train is transmitted to the server of the
control center and other participants advantageously via wireless
or wired connection.
[0013] Selected participants are optionally equipped with a
displaying device, advantageously consisting of a computer and a
monitor, adaptable for one screening or, advantageously, for
multiple screenings of several systems of barriers at once. Such
equipment allows the train-driver to watch the systems of barriers
captured by cameras on his route in advance.
[0014] The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
against vehicle entry during warning signaling contains a control
unit which controls the system of barriers which contains the
signaling. The control unit controls barriers, traffic lights,
voice unit, alarm siren and it receives information from the sensor
for detection of obstacles in the area of the system of barriers,
from the cameras and from other sources of information by which it
controls the voice unit.
[0015] The control unit transmits information, via communication
module, to the server, accessible to the selected participants,
e.g. to trains, control center of railway traffic control, fire
brigade, other participants and to the police, which advantageously
controls the roadside display. The communication module is
adaptable for direct connection with the selected participants.
[0016] The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
contains the right area, detected by sensor system right. In case
an obstacle in the right area is detected by this sensor system, it
prevents the lowering of barriers on the right behind the tracks.
In case the control unit is already fully or partly activated, it
lifts the barriers and allows their lowering only when the obstacle
is no longer detected by the sensor system. Positions of barriers
"left" and "right" are understood from the point of view from the
direction "S". Positions "in front of the tracks" and "behind the
tracks" are understood from the point of view of a vehicle-driver
approaching the crossing. Analogically, the sensor system left
operates in the left area, detecting the obstacle "left". The
system of barriers contains the following: barrier right behind the
tracks, barrier left in front of the tracks, barrier right in front
of the tracks, barrier left behind the tracks, all of them
controlled by the control unit and in case the sensor systems do
not detect an obstacle, the barriers are lowered either all
simultaneously, or with the barriers behind tracks delayed. The
sensor system right consists advantageously of several sensors,
advantageously of the sensor first on the right in front of the
tracks, the sensor second on the right in front of the tracks, the
sensor first on the right behind the tracks, and the sensor second
on the right behind the tracks, they detect passing vehicles even
with unlowered barriers in order to verify the system's
functionality, both when the sound alarm is activated and when it
is not. In the case of lack of correspondence of detection between
all sensors, the system of barriers causes alarm in the control
center of railway traffic control, via wireless connection, in
order to fix the defect. The sensor system left works
analogically.
[0017] The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
advantageously contains the traffic lights, placed in an adjustable
distance from the crossing, e.g. 50 m. The traffic lights consist
advantageously of three or two color lights or of two alternately
flashing lights placed side by side.
[0018] Traffic lights situated in adjustable distance from the
barriers stop the vehicles, with a "STOP" signal, in a given
distance from the barriers, when the warning lights of the crossing
before the lowering of barriers are activated, as well as the
warning siren of the security device of the crossing, so that the
vehicles cannot enter the crossing. Later on the control unit sets
the signalization of the traffic lights to "FREE". Vehicles can
continue to the barriers, lowered already, as they prevent them
from entering the crossing.
[0019] Detection unit of state of the crossing detects the
activation of signalization of the warning lights advantageously by
an optical sensor and the lowering of barriers by a sensor of
detection of lowered barriers, or both happenings are detected
simultaneously by a camera sensor. Alternatively, the warning sound
alarm is detected advantageously by an acoustic sensor.
[0020] Activation of "warning lights of the crossing", e g. of two
flashing red lights, is detected by this detection unit, which is
used in case of unavailability or undesirability of direct electric
connection with the warning lights, in other cases the control unit
for information about warning signalization is connected directly
to the electric signalization unit of the crossing. In case of
employment of this detection unit, advantageously consisting of an
optical sensor, this unit for transmission of information about
activation of warning lights is connected to the control unit of
signalization device by a wired or wireless connection. This
connection transmits the signal of activation of warning lights to
the control unit, which switches the signalization to "STOP"
signal, consisting advantageously of red light of the traffic
lights, which advantageously consist of three-color lights. The
information of lowered barriers is transmitted by a detection unit,
advantageously consisting of the sensor of detection of lowered
barriers, to the control unit, which sets the traffic lights to
"FREE", advantageously by green light, which follows advantageously
after orange.
[0021] In the case of two-color traffic lights, when set to "STOP"
they signal with red light. When set to "FREE" they either signal
with flashing orange light or they don't signal. In the case of
one-color light signal, it flashes with two alternately flashing
red lights placed side by side and it's turned off when set to
"FREE."
[0022] Detection unit of state of the crossing consists
advantageously of an optical sensor and/or of an acoustic sensor
and/or of a camera sensor and/or of a sensor of detection of
lowered barriers. By the time of activation of the crossing's
warning sound alarm the traffic lights are set to "STOP", when the
sound alarm ends they are set to "FREE".
[0023] Sensors of the warning lights, optical or acoustic, are
advantageously placed directly on the railway device of barriers or
on a separate pole placed in front.
[0024] The maximal distance of the traffic lights from the crossing
is advantageously set so that vehicles approaching at the maximum
permitted speed, e.g. at 50 km/h, can pass this distance shortly
after the activation of flashing warning lights and reach the
barriers still open, it is so in order to allow even the drivers
who don't obey the traffic rules, and enter the area of the
crossing after activation of the warning lights, to safely pass the
crossing before the lowering of barriers. The distance is chosen
advantageously by the period of time by which the warning signal
precedes the lowering of barriers, which begins approximately 30
seconds after the activation of flashing red lights of the
crossing. Immediately before the lowering no cars reach the
barriers as they are stopped by the traffic lights placed in front
of the crossing.
[0025] When the barriers are lowered the control unit sets the
traffic lights to "FREE" and the vehicles which got stopped before
can reach them.
[0026] The next cycle of setting the traffic lights to "STOP" is
initialized with the next activation of warning lights or warning
sound.
[0027] Optionally, the traffic lights are set to "FREE" only after
the end of flashing of the red lights, therefore after the opening
of barriers and not by the time they are lowered. Signalization
device modified in this way is usable for unprotected crossings
without barriers as well.
[0028] In front of the traffic lights, a slow down section with a
traffic sign showing the speed limit, e.g. 30 km/h, is placed
advantageously. After the slow down section a traffic sign ending
all restrictions is placed, advantageously a light traffic sign, it
ends the speed limit. It is advantageously activated in relation to
activation of the light traffic signs of the speed limit,
advantageously activated simultaneously with the crossing's warning
lights or with the traffic lights. The light traffic sign is placed
either on a separate pole or on the pole of the traffic sign
"Railroad crossing with barriers".
[0029] The slow down section of the railroad crossing with barriers
is implemented advantageously to slow down the traffic before the
activated barriers. The warning lights of the crossing are
activated and they begin their signalization of the oncoming
lowering of barriers advantageously by flashing, at the same time
an adjustable number of traffic "Speed limit" traffic signs is
activated, they light up, showing the adjustable speed limit, e.g.
30 km/h. They are optionally deactivated after the lowering of
barriers or after deactivation of the warning lights. To highlight
the oncoming lowering of barriers the traffic signs "Railroad
crossing with barriers" are advantageously light signs or are
advantageously equipped with orange signal lights which signal,
advantageously by flashing, together with the warning lights, the
oncoming lowering of barriers.
[0030] The signal device for stopping of vehicles before crossing
may be advantageously used for the crossings without barriers, to
prevent the vehicles from entering the crossing in the time of
approaching train, about which a signal is transmitted from the
control center of railway traffic to the control unit which
controls the signalization device for stopping and slowing down of
vehicles.
[0031] Optionally, the traffic lights consist advantageously of two
alternately flashing red lights placed side by side, and are
activated with the signal "STOP" and deactivated with "FREE".
[0032] Advantageously, a countdown device and a traffic sign with
texts and/or symbols, e.g. with "STOP, 20 s" as data from the
countdown device and "ATTENTION: CAMERA ON WHEN RED", are placed on
the traffic lights pole, with the texts being advantageously
activated together with the warning lights.
[0033] Advantageously, a dummy camera is installed on the route, by
which a better discipline of drivers is achieved. This camera can
be replaced by a real one.
[0034] The simplified version of securing of safety of railroad
crossing is that without the slow down section.
[0035] The signalization device for stopping of vehicles in front
of the crossing can be supplemented with a combined slow down
section, with which the slowing down is carried out by highlighting
of speed limit of the activated traffic sign when the warning
lights are activated, and by a radar unit as well, advantageously
with a display of the radar unit placed in front of the light
traffic sign, showing the speed of vehicles. The speed limit sign
is activated with vehicles exceeding the adjustable speed limit.
After the light traffic sign, a light traffic sign "End of all
restrictions" is advantageously placed, in a necessary distance. A
dummy camera is advantageously placed on it, it is replaceable with
a real camera. This possibility provides savings and drivers never
know which camera is placed. To accentuate the effect, a pilot
light flashes on the dummy camera, to create the impression of
recording.
[0036] The combined slow down section can be optionally fitted more
than once. It is usable in the road traffic on crossing with or
without barriers. On unprotected crossings, the light traffic sign
is activated only from a radar unit, which can be placed in the
light traffic sign.
[0037] After the combined slow down section, a stopping section
follows advantageously. Its radar unit sets, via control unit, the
traffic lights to "STOP", advantageously to red light, in the case
of approaching speeding vehicle, even when the warning lights of
the crossing aren't activated. When they are activated, they are
set to "STOP" automatically.
[0038] The radar unit is advantageously adapted to be set to either
unreduced speed, e.g. 50 km/h, or to reduced speed. e.g. 30 km/h,
when the traffic sign is activated and the light traffic sign is
not activated or not mounted. Speed on the radar unit is adjustable
to a speed of an optional value higher than is the value of the
speed limit, so that the intended tolerance of speeding is reached.
The stopping section is employable even in traffic without
barriers. In such case, the signaling lights are represented by the
radar unit only. When the warning lights are activated the light
traffic sign is not, in order to make the speed limit, e.g. 30
km/h, remain valid.
[0039] A dummy camera is advantageously placed on the traffic
lights, and advantageously on the traffic sign's pole. In front of
dummy cameras there are advantageously placed signs announcing the
speed check, to increase their efficiency. On the radar unit's
display, apart from the measured speed, a text is shown, announcing
the necessity of slowing down to the limited speed, e.g. to 30
km/h, related to the speed shown on the light traffic sign that
follows. A real camera, replaceable by a dummy one, doesn't record
speeding only, it records passing through red on the traffic lights
as well.
[0040] Another measure can be applied to prevent drivers from
reaching the barriers in case of passing through red on the traffic
lights. A detector, consisting of a camera or a sensor, then
advantageously controls a light traffic sign on the edge of traffic
lane, a "No entry" sign and/or "Indicated direction of traffic"
sign, requesting the driver to drive into a waiting lane where the
driver advantageously sees a sign commanding him to await the
arrival of police. The driver is prevented from exiting by a
barrier, advantageously controlled wirelessly. Advantageously,
there is a communication unit, adapted for vocal communication with
the control center and/or with police.
[0041] The system for securing of safety of railroad crossing
according to the invention can be applied as well against the
passage on flashing red lights by traffic lights placed on
intersection and on intersection of the type "T".
[0042] Traffic lights usually control intersections by a control
unit, with which they are connected by connections. With the
activation of two alternately flashing red lights of the crossing,
the traffic lights which control the traffic lanes "A", from which
the barriers are accessed, are set to the "STOP" regime, in which
they shine red. If they shine in a different color, they are set to
red following the regulations, that means from green through
orange. So they prevent vehicles from accessing to the barriers
from the lanes "A" Traffic lights of traffic lanes "B", in
direction from the barriers, are switched to green, in order to
allow the vehicles to leave and to prevent the formation of traffic
jams, which may jam up the railroad crossing.
[0043] The activation of light signal is advantageously detected by
the sensor of warning lights, which is connected with the control
unit by a connection.
[0044] The traffic lights are switched from "STOP" regime into the
standard regime of intersection control when the barriers are
lowered, advantageously after detection by a sensor of lowered
barriers and/or by a sensor of warning lights which indicates the
end of activation of the lights, with information about this
happening being transmitted by connections.
[0045] Sensors of vehicles detect the vehicles driven from the
barriers in traffic lane "B" and in the case of a detected vehicle
they switch the intersection control so that these vehicles have
priority for green light, in order to prevent the formation of
traffic jams which my jam up the crossing. Vehicles are stopped in
the "STOP" regime during the time of activation of signaling only,
until the barriers are lowered, which is a relatively short period
of time, 20 seconds approximately.
[0046] After that, the intersection control is switched to regular
traffic and vehicles pass the controlled intersection to reach the
barriers which are already lowered, therefore they cannot pass
through the crossing at the time of flashing warning lights.
[0047] Vehicles passing between the intersections and the crossing
by the time of activation of the signaling and "STOP" regime arrive
in the very beginning of the period of activation of warning
lights, so they have 20 seconds for a relatively secure passage
through the barriers, before they begin to be lowered, in the case
they fail to respect the lights.
[0048] Following vehicles, for which the crossing would be
hazardous, are stopped by the traffic lights. Alternatively, the
traffic lights don't control the intersection at the time of opened
barriers, they are either deactivated or flashing with orange
light. Traffic lights for the control of direction "B" are
advantageously not installed and vehicles in this lane have free
passage continuously.
[0049] In the case of activation of the signaling the color of the
lights is switched, according to the regulations, from flashing
orange to red, until the barriers are lowered. When they are
lowered they are switched back to flashing orange.
[0050] An advantageous embodiment of device for securing of safety
of railroad crossing, with increased safety, is obtained by the
combination of a stopper of vehicles for the period of lowered
barriers, advantageously with slow down section, with employment of
traffic signs changing the speed limit, advantageously with
employment of a voice unit. Traffic signs that modify speed limit
consist advantageously of sets of LED diodes, or, in the mechanical
embodiment, of reversible slats.
[0051] The stopper of vehicles in time of lowered barriers consists
of commanding signalization, advantageously consisting of
three-color traffic lights or of alternately flashing lights.
Signalization is activated in the moment of activation of warning
sound alarm of the crossing, in order to stop vehicles, and
deactivated when the barriers are lowered, advantageously it's
activated for the period of the warning sound alarm.
Advantageously, a camera is placed on the pole of the stopper,
noticing the vehicles which drive through red lights.
[0052] The stopper of speeding vehicles consists advantageously of
three-color traffic lights and is activated in the moment when a
vehicle is speeding, over the speed limit set by the traffic sign
changing the speed limit, or, in the case the traffic sign is not
activated, over the speed limit set by regulation or by preceding
traffic sign. The stopper is advantageously deactivated when the
barriers are lowered.
[0053] In front of the stopper of vehicles, slow down section is
placed advantageously, advantageously equipped with a traffic sign
that changes the speed limit or, advantageously, with two or more
traffic signs, e.g. with 30 km/h and 15 km/h. The traffic sign
changing the speed limit, or a combination of several signs, they
ensure slowing down of vehicles to the desirable speed at which the
vehicles located in front of this traffic sign in time period
between the activation of signalization of warning lights of the
crossing and lowering of barriers, that is in the time of activated
sound alarm of the safety device of the crossing, cannot reach the
crossing before the lowering of barriers. This is ensured by the
speed limit changing traffic signs being advantageously activated
in the beginning of sound alarm system of barriers of the railroad
crossing or at the time of activation of warning signalization of
warning lights of the crossing and, advantageously, they are turned
off with the end of warning sound alarm system of barriers of the
railroad crossing, that is when the barriers are lowered.
[0054] Distance between the traffic signs changing the speed limit
is set advantageously in relation to the duration of sound alarm
before the lowering of barriers, so that the vehicles which entered
in the time of activation of the traffic signs changing the speed
limit, and which are driven at the speed limit, reach the barriers
when they are already lowered.
[0055] For example, the first traffic sign changing the speed
limit, advantageously to 30 km/h, is advantageously placed in a
distance, e.g. in 350 m, from the railway system of barriers of the
railroad crossing, in order to ensure the initial slowing down of
approaching vehicles. The second traffic sign changing the speed
limit for the final slowing down, advantageously 15 km/h, is
advantageously placed in a distance of 240 m from the railway
system of barriers of the railroad crossing.
[0056] The distance between the second traffic sign changing the
speed limit and the railway system of barriers of the railroad
crossing, and the value of the speed limit shown on this traffic
sign changing the speed limit are calculated considering the period
of time between the activation of warning sound alarm and the
lowering of barriers, that is usually 30 to 45 seconds, so that a
vehicle driven at the speed limit passing this traffic sign
changing the speed limit would reach the barriers after their
lowering, and that vehicles driven at unreduced speed would reach
the barriers in advance, at least 10 seconds before lowering, so
that they are able to leave the tracks without difficulties, in the
case of illegal entry in the time of active warning signalization.
For example, in a section of 240 m, driving time of a vehicle
driven at 50 km/h is approximately 17 seconds. A vehicle driven at
this unreduced speed would cover this distance from the second
traffic sign changing the speed limit in a shorter period of time
than is the period between the activation of warning sound alarm
and the lowering of barriers, which is e.g. 30 seconds, and if it
was 240 m from the crossing by the time of activation of the
warning sound alarm, it would reach the barriers 13 seconds before
their lowering, therefore it would have enough time to pass through
the crossing safely, before the lowering of barriers, in a case of
illegal entry. On the other hand, a vehicle driven at the reduced
speed of 15 km/h would cover the distance of 240 m in approximately
58 seconds. Vehicle driven at this reduced speed and located in the
distance mentioned above from the crossing at the time of
activation of the warning sound alarm would therefore reach the
crossing when the barriers are lowered already. The system of
device of signalization is advantageously equipped with the traffic
sign "Light signals", advantageously a light traffic sign, and
highlighted by LED diodes. Multiple traffic signs of this kind can
be placed in a row, e.g. two of them, installed on the poles of
traffic signs changing the speed limit. LED diodes of the traffic
sign "Light signals" are advantageously activated with the
activation of warning signalization of the crossing and are
advantageously turned off after the lowering of barriers, therefore
they are activated for the period of activated warning sound
alarm.
[0057] The device for securing of safety of railroad crossing is
advantageously equipped with a switchable traffic sign "End of all
restrictions", advantageously light, or mechanical with slats, and
advantageously placed on the pole of the traffic sign "Light
signals" in the distance advantageously of 80 m and 160 m from the
railway system of barriers of the railroad crossing. The light
traffic sign "End of all restrictions" is activated with the
lowered barriers and it allows the vehicles to reach the lowered
barriers at unreduced speed.
[0058] The device for or securing of safety of railroad crossing is
advantageously equipped with a voice unit, placed advantageously on
the pole of the stopper of vehicles, therefore in distance of
approximately 80 m from the crossing. For the period of lowered
barriers, the voice unit plays advantageously a text, e.g. "Stop
here, camera on the red". The system of device of signalization
advantageously contains another voice unit, installed
advantageously 80 m in front of the first voice unit. Voice units
are advantageously deactivated when the sensor of vehicles detects
that a vehicle stopped in front of the first commanding
signalization.
[0059] Nearby the crossing, advantageously on the pole of the dummy
camera, an acoustic sensor is installed advantageously, and it
serves for detection of the warning sound alarm of the security
device of the crossing, advantageously it contains a directional
microphone.
[0060] On that pole, the traffic sign "End of speed check area" is
placed advantageously, as well as an omnidirectional transmitter
for the transmission of signal of at least one of the following
traffic signs: "Light signal", stopper of vehicles for the period
before the lowering of barriers.
[0061] A signal emitted by the omnidirectional transmitter is
received by receivers, which are advantageously placed on the poles
of elements mentioned above, and their state is controlled by this
signal. On the first pole of dummy camera, a traffic sign "Speed
check" is installed advantageously as well.
[0062] The device for or securing of safety of railroad crossing
advantageously contains signalization lights on the roadway, to
highlight the stopper of vehicles for the period of time before the
barriers are lowered Signalization lights on the roadway are
advantageously installed in the roadway in the area of the stopper
of vehicles and are activated at the same time, in the period of
time before the barriers are lowered, and are advantageously
bordered by the traffic signaling "Transverse continuous line",
usable for highlighting of the area for stopping of vehicles during
activation.
[0063] This embodiment ensures multiple securing of the railway
system of barriers of the railroad crossing. The first security
measure consists advantageously in the slowing down of vehicles via
slow down section with traffic signs changing the speed limit in
the period of time between the beginning of warning sound alarm of
the railway system and lowered barriers, so that the vehicles
cannot enter the crossing before the barriers are lowered. The
second security measure consists advantageously in the stopping of
vehicles by a stopper of vehicles for the time before the barriers
are lowered. The third security measure consists advantageously in
placing of a stopper of speeding vehicles. The fourth security
measure consists advantageously in highlighting of the stopper of
vehicles for the time before the barriers are lowered by a traffic
sign, advantageously equipped with the text "STOP" and
advantageously equipped with a countdown unit. The fifth security
measure consists advantageously in highlighting of the stopper of
vehicles for the time before the barriers are lowered by a voice
unit. All the above-mentioned security measures are effective
separately, in order to ensure the securing of safety of railroad
crossing, and used optionally.
[0064] The acoustic sensor detects the sound alarm of railroad
crossings. It contains advantageously a directional microphone,
advantageously placed in the focal point of parabola directed
towards the railway signalization device, and this acoustic sensor
is advantageously tuned. This means, that the microphone's
characteristics and its sensitivity, in cooperation with evaluation
circuits, are set to characteristic and energetically most
represented frequencies occurring in the sound signal of the
warning sound alarm of a railroad crossing, advantageously, they
are set for each railroad crossing individually.
[0065] Thereby the detector reacts only to this sound signal. The
tuning is carried out automatically at operator's command, with the
aid of a microprocessor, which, in an appropriate regime of
functioning, evaluates the sound signal of a given railway warning
signaling device and sets the characteristic for evaluating
circuits. The evaluation of sounds is carried out on the basis of
Fourier's development of signals into individual components and
their content is compared to the sample, to which the acoustic
sensor is tuned. In the case of sufficient correspondence the
sensor sets its output signal to the state meaning that the
detection of a warning sound signal of a railway security device on
a crossing was successful. Further signalization takes places, in
correspondence with this application of invention, which secures a
better safety on the crossing.
[0066] Railroad sound signals contain at least one and usually two
dominant frequencies, even though there can be more of them. Sounds
of the warning sound device on the other side of the tracks reach
the concerned side of the crossing as well. This allows tuning of
the acoustic sensor to one side or to both of them, while tuning to
both sides increases the security of the crossing further, as
complementary signalization is implemented on both sides even in
the case of failure of the railway device on one of the sides.
[0067] A directional microphone which captures the railway warning
sound signal on the crossing is directed towards the crossing and
placed in a parabola, its output signal is transmitted to the input
of an amplifier, advantageously of a differential one, and is
further converted into a digital signal in an A/D converter. This
signal is evaluated in a microprocessor and compared with a
recorded pattern, characteristic for the crossing.
[0068] In case of correspondence the signal on appropriate output
of the microprocessor reaches the value which expresses this
correspondence. Advantageously, output signal of this
microprocessor reaches the value "1", which lasts advantageously
for the period of reception of the sound signalization. This signal
is used to activate other devices, connected wirelessly or by a
wire via omnidirectional transmitter, so it can be used by all
devices of the crossing security equipped with a receiver.
[0069] Alternatively, the transmitter is adapted for duplex
communication with the receiver which is adapted for duplex traffic
via mobile network as well, advantageously via local WIFI network.
This enables gathering of information of state of the device from
the annunciator of state. This information is advantageously
registered in the memory of microprocessors and/or it is
advantageously transmitted to the server of the control center,
through a long-distance network, advantageously through a network
of a mobile operator, and from there it is advantageously
transmitted to selected participants. The device advantageously
contains security sensors and/or cameras which protect it against
theft, and whose signal is transmitted to the control panel, which
may advantageously address a thief in time of action, discouraging
him via voice unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0070] The invention will be clarified further by drawings,
where
[0071] FIG. 1 depicts the system of barriers of the device for
securing of safety of railroad crossing
[0072] FIG. 1 detail 1 depicts a side-view in direction S at the
device for securing of safety of railroad crossing
[0073] FIG. 1 detail 2 depicts the breakdown lane
[0074] FIG. 1 detail 3 depicts the displaying device
[0075] FIG. 2 depicts block diagram of the device for securing of
safety of railroad crossing
[0076] FIG. 3 depicts the system of barriers
[0077] FIG. 4 depicts the system of signaling unit for stopping of
vehicles in front of the railway system of barriers
[0078] FIG. 4 detail 1 depicts a traffic sign
[0079] FIG. 4 detail 2 depicts a simplified version of the
signaling device for stopping of vehicles in front of the barriers
of the railroad crossing, with slow down section left out
completely
[0080] FIG. 5 depicts the signaling device for stopping of vehicles
in front of the crossing, supplemented with a combined slow down
section
[0081] FIG. 6 depicts an additional impediment in driver's passage
to the barriers
[0082] FIG. 7 depicts the securing of safety of railroad crossing
via traffic lights on an intersection
[0083] FIG. 8 depicts an advantageous embodiment of the system of
signaling device for stopping of vehicles in front of the railway
system of barriers of railroad crossing, with increased safety
[0084] FIG. 8 detail 1 depicts the block diagram of an acoustic
sensor which detects acoustic signals of railroad crossings
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0085] FIG. 1 and Detail 1 from the point of view in the direction
S and Detail 2 they show the system of barriers of the railroad
crossing security device, roadway 39 and the system 1 of barriers
in standby state of control unit 6, in this state all the barriers
of which the system consists, barriers 2p in front of the tracks
and barriers 2z behind the track, are open. In the process of
lowering of the system 1 of barriers, the warning signaling 3 is
activated, which consists advantageously of a sound signal and/or
of the warning lights 106 of the crossing, which consist
advantageously of signal 206 of two flashing lights placed side by
side. After an adjustable period of time, the barriers 2p in front
of the tracks and the barriers 2z behind the tracks begin to be
lowered, either simultaneously or the barriers behind the tracks
can be delayed by an adjustable period of time, advantageously
expected to be necessary for a vehicle to leave the tracks.
Barriers 2 and 2z are therefore lowered simultaneously, or the
barriers 2z behind the tracks are delayed by an adjustable period
of time after the activation of the warning signalization of the
system 1 of barriers.
[0086] Unit 301 for detection of obstacles in the area of the
system of barriers, advantageously consisting of the sensor 4
and/or of the camera 10, advantageously detects the area of the
system 1 of barriers between the barriers 2p,2z during the time of
activation of the warning signalization of the system 1 of barriers
and in case of detection of an obstacle for the train, e.g. of the
vehicle 5 on the tracks, it transmits a signal to the control unit
6 which controls the system 1 of barriers and it advantageously
stops or delays the lowering of barriers 2z behind the tracks, or,
in the case when the barriers are already lowered, it lifts them up
until the area is rid of the obstacle 2.
[0087] At the same time, advantageously by the communication module
1 it causes alarm for the directly connected participants 300 the
control center 11 of railway traffic control, the approaching train
12, fire brigade 16, police 17, and, via server 21, other selected
participants 22 by wireless connection 13. The communication module
7 transmits advantageously the alarm and/or video footages from
cameras 10 directly to the train 12, via wireless connection
13.
[0088] Simultaneously the sound alarm siren 8 in the area of the
system 1 barriers is activated advantageously by the control unit
6, indicating the immediate need of removal of the obstacle 9, e.g.
of the vehicle 5. A vocal request to leave the tracks 23 is
produced advantageously by the voice unit 24. The camera 10
transmits advantageously, via communication module 7, live real
time footages from the area of the system 1 of barriers to the
control center 11 and, advantageously, to the control unit 28 of
the train 12, where the video is displayed on the train-driver's
monitor 25. Voice or data communication with the control center 11,
train 12 and other participants is carried via wireless connection
13. After obtaining information about the obstacle 9, the train 12
informs the train-driver visually, advantageously via monitor 25 or
by a pilot light 26, or advantageously acoustically by a vocal
message or by a tone from the speaker 27. The train is slowed down
manually by the train-driver or automatically, by a control unit
28, advantageously gradually so that it can stop in time in the
case the obstacle 9 is not removed. The display 14 showing
numerical data providing information about time remaining until the
lowering of barriers 2p in front of the tracks is placed
advantageously on the pole of signalization 3 of the crossing.
[0089] The display 31 showing symbolically open barriers is placed
on the pole of signalization of the crossing advantageously,
advantageously in white or green color which turns into red as the
display shows lowering barriers before the barriers 2p in front of
the tracks begin to be lowered. The traffic light 103,
advantageously of one to three colors, is placed advantageously in
the area of the system of barriers and of the pole of signalization
3, or in an adjustable distance in front of them, visible to the
vehicles approaching the system 1 of barriers, advantageously
analogous to the three color traffic lights of roadway traffic.
Together with the activation of the signalization 3, green light
turns to orange and later on to red, before the lowering of
barriers 2p in front of the tracks. One-color light 15 signals red
right away, whereas the two-color light begins signaling with
orange light. The signalization 3 of the crossing can be
advantageously replaced by three-color traffic lights 103.
[0090] The communication module 7 transmits the alarm
advantageously and the video footage from the camera 10
advantageously to fire brigade 16, to the police 17, to the
emergency control center 18, so that they are prepared for
intervention if collision takes place in the area of the system 1
of barriers. The camera 10 transmits all the necessary data to the
police, e.g. the license plate number of an obstructive vehicle,
thus permitting a penalization of the side that caused the
placement of the obstacle 9 on the tracks, e.g. of the driver of
vehicle 5. In the case when the obstacle 9 consists of the vehicle
5 which leaves the area of barriers without an accident, the police
17 is equipped advantageously with the control of the roadside
display 19 ordering the vehicle 5 to await their arrival, e.g. it
orders the driver to stop in breakdown lane 20 and await the
arrival of the police there. The communication module 7 sends data
advantageously to the server 21, accessible to the selected
participants 22, e.g. to the control center 11 of railway traffic
control and to the train 12, advantageously via internet
connection. Selected participants can access data concerning the
state of all the systems 1 of barriers equipped with communication
module 7 and appropriate units 221 for image capturing and/or for
detection of obstacles advantageously by sensors 4 and/or cameras
10.
[0091] Detector of trains 219 is advantageously placed on the
railway and when an approaching train is detected, advantageously
from a longer distance than the distance of visibility, it warns at
the crossing by siren 216 and advantageously by a recorded vocal
announcement. Camera system 218 is placed advantageously on the
railway, it consists advantageously of several cameras 223 of
camera system placed in front of the system 1 of barriers from the
point of view of the approaching train 12, and it transmits
advantageously a real-time live footage of the train,
advantageously switching between cameras to those actually shooting
the passing train at the moment, to roadway monitors 220 visible to
the drivers who approach the system 1 of barriers this has a
psychological effect preventing the drivers from entering the area
of the system 1 of barriers while the warning sound alarm is
active. Advantageously, distance of the approaching train to the
crossing is displayed. The real-time live footage of passing train
is transmitted to the server 21 of the control center 11 and other
participants 16, 17, 18 advantageously via wireless or wired
connection.
[0092] FIG. 1 detail 3 depicts selected participants 22 optionally
equipped with displaying device 29, advantageously consisting of a
computer and a monitor, adaptable for one screening or,
advantageously, for multiple screenings 32 of several systems 1 of
barriers at once. Such equipment allows the train-driver to watch
the systems 1 of barriers captured by cameras 10 on his route in
advance.
[0093] FIG. 2 depicts the block diagram for the system for securing
of safety of railroad crossing against vehicle entry during warning
signaling which contains the system 1 of barriers with the control
unit 6, which controls the system 1 of barriers, signaling 1, the
traffic lights 15, the voice unit 24, the alarm siren 8 and it
receives information from the sensor 4 placed in the area of the
system of barriers, from the camera 10 and from other sources of
information 30, and on its basis it controls the voice unit.
[0094] It transmits information, via communication module 7, to the
server 21, accessible to the selected participants 22, e.g. to the
train 12, to the control center 11 of railway traffic control, fire
brigade 16, other participants 64 and to the police 17, which
advantageously controls the roadside display 19. The communication
module 7 is adaptable for direct connection with the selected
participants 22.
[0095] FIG. 3 depicts the system for securing of safety of railroad
crossing with the system 1 of barriers, where the area 35 right is
detected by the system of sensors 48 right. In case of detection of
the obstacle 41 right by this sensor system, it prevents the
lowering of barrier 60 right behind the tracks. In the case when
the control unit 6 depicted on the FIG. 1, is already fully or
partly activated, it lifts the barriers and allows their lowering
only when the obstacle 41 is no longer detected by the system of
sensors 48. Positions of barriers "left" and "right" are understood
from the point of view from the direction S. Positions "in front of
the tracks" and "behind the tracks" are understood from the point
of view of a vehicle-driver approaching the crossing. Analogically,
the system of sensors 54 left, with sensors 44, 45, 55 and 56,
operates in the left area 42, detecting the obstacle 59 left. The
system 1 of barriers contains the following: the barrier 60 right
behind the tracks, the barrier 61 left in front of the tracks, the
barrier 62 right in front of the tracks, barrier 63 left behind the
tracks, all of them controlled by the control unit 6 and in the
case the systems 48 and 54 of sensors do not detect the obstacles
59 and 41, the barriers are lowered either all (60, 61, 62, 63)
simultaneously, or with the barriers 60 and 63 behind tracks
delayed. The system 48 of sensors right consists advantageously of
several sensors, advantageously of the sensor 37 first on the right
in front of the tracks, the sensor 38 second on the right in front
of the tracks, the sensor 49 first on the right behind the tracks,
and the sensor 50 second on the right behind the tracks, they
detect passing vehicles even with unlowered barriers 60 and 62 in
order to verify the system's functionality, both when the sound
alarm is activated and when it is not. In case of lack of
correspondence of detection between all sensors, the system 1 of
barriers causes alarm in the control center 11 of railway traffic
control, via wireless connection 13, in order to fix the defect, as
shown on the FIG. 1. The system of sensors 54 left works
analogically.
[0096] FIG. 4 and its detail 1 they depict the system of signaling
device for the stopping of vehicles in front of the system 1 of
barriers, which advantageously contains the traffic lights, 15
placed in an adjustable distance from the barriers 2, e.g. 50 m.
Traffic lights 103 consist advantageously of the tree color lights
204 or of two color lights 205 or of the signal of two alternately
flashing lights 206 placed side by side.
[0097] Traffic lights 103 situated in adjustable distance from the
barriers 2 stop the approaching vehicles, with a "STOP" signal,
before them, in the time of activated warning lights 106 of the
crossing before the lowering of barriers 2 is activated, as well as
the warning siren of the security device of the crossing, so that
vehicles cannot enter the crossing. Later on the control unit 6
sets the signalization of the traffic lights to "FREE". Vehicles
can continue to the barriers, lowered already, as they prevent them
from entering the crossing.
[0098] Detection unit 73 of state of the crossing detects the
activation of signalization of the warning lights 106
advantageously by the optical sensor 211 and the lowering of the
barrier 2 by the sensor 121 of detection of lowered barriers, or
both happenings are detected simultaneously by the camera sensor
212. Alternatively, the warning sound alarm is detected
advantageously by the detection unit 73 via acoustic sensor
213.
[0099] Activation of "warning lights 106 of the crossing", e.g. of
two flashing red lights, is detected by this detection unit 73,
which is used in case of unavailability or undesirability of direct
electric connection 105 with the warning lights 106, in other cases
the control unit 108 for information about warning signalization is
connected directly to the electric signalization unit of the
crossing In case of employment of this detection unit 73,
advantageously consisting of the optical sensor 211, this unit for
transmission of information about activation of warning lights is
connected to the control unit 108 of signalization device by a
wired or wireless connection 105. This connection transmits the
signal of activation of the warning lights 106 to the control unit
108, which switches the signalization to "STOP" signal, consisting
advantageously of red light of the traffic lights 103 which
advantageously consist of the three-color lights 204. The
information of lowered barriers 2 is transmitted by the detection
unit 73, advantageously consisting of the sensor 121 of detection
of lowered barriers, to the control unit 108, which sets the
traffic lights 204 to "FREE", advantageously by green light, which
follows advantageously after orange. In the case of traffic lights
103 consisting of two color traffic lights 205 only, when set to
"STOP" they signal with red light. When set to "FREE" they either
signal with flashing orange light or they don't signal. In the case
of traffic lights 103 consisting of one-color light signal 206, it
flashes with two alternately flashing red lights placed side by
side and it's turned off when set to "FREE."
[0100] The detection unit 73 of state of the crossing consists
advantageously of the optical sensor 211 and/or of the acoustic
sensor 213 and/or of the camera sensor 212 and/or of the sensor 121
of detection of lowered barriers. By the time of activation of the
crossing's warning sound alarm the traffic lights 103 are set to
"STOP", when the sound alarm ends they are set to "FREE".
[0101] Sensors 107 of the warning lights, 211 optical and 213
acoustic, are advantageously placed directly on the railway device
of barriers or on the separate pole 214 of sensors placed in front.
The maximal distance 109 of the traffic lights 103 from the barrier
2 is advantageously set so that vehicles approaching at the maximum
permitted speed, e.g. at 50 km/h, can pass this distance shortly
after the activation of flashing warning lights 106 and reach the
barrier 2 still open, it is so in order to allow even the drivers
who don't obey the traffic rules, and enter the area of the
crossing after activation of the warning lights 106, to safely pass
the crossing before the lowering of barrier 2. The distance 109 is
set advantageously by the period of time by which the warning
signal precedes the lowering of barriers 2, which begins
approximately 30 seconds after the activation of flashing warning
lights 106 of the crossing. Immediately before the lowering of
barriers 2 no cars reach the barriers as they are stopped by the
traffic lights 103 placed in front of the crossing.
[0102] When the barriers 2 are lowered the control unit 108 sets
the traffic lights to "FREE" and the vehicles which got stopped
before can reach them.
[0103] The next cycle of setting the traffic lights 103 to "STOP"
is initialized with the next activation of the warning lights 106
or warning sound.
[0104] Optionally, the traffic lights 103 are set to "FREE" only
after the end of flashing of the red lights 106, therefore after
the opening of barriers 2 and not at the time they are lowered.
Signalization device modified in this way is usable for unprotected
crossings without barriers as well.
[0105] In front of the traffic lights 103, the slow down section
118 with the traffic sign 110 of the speed limit, e.g. 30 km/h, is
placed advantageously. After the slow down section the traffic sign
120 ending all restrictions is placed, advantageously a light sign,
it ends the speed limit. It is advantageously activated in relation
to activation of the light traffic signs 110 of the speed limit,
advantageously activated simultaneously with the crossing's warning
lights 106 or with the traffic lights 103. The light traffic sign
110 is placed either on a separate pole 112 or on the pole 113 of
the traffic sign 102 "Railroad crossing with barriers"
[0106] The slow down section 118 of the railroad crossing with
barriers is implemented advantageously to slow down the traffic
before the activated barriers 2. The warning lights 106 of the
crossing are activated and they begin their signalization of the
oncoming lowering of barriers advantageously by flashing, at the
same time an adjustable number of traffic "Speed limit" traffic
signs 110 is activated, they light up, showing the adjustable speed
limit, e.g. 30 km/h. They are optionally deactivated after the
lowering of barriers 2 or after deactivation of the warning lights
106.
[0107] To highlight the oncoming lowering of barriers 2 the traffic
signs 102 "Railroad crossing with barriers" are advantageously
lights signs or are advantageously equipped with orange signaling
lights 111 which signal, advantageously by flashing, together with
the warning lights 106, the oncoming lowering of barriers.
[0108] The signal device for stopping of vehicles before crossing
may be advantageously used for the crossings without barriers, to
prevent the vehicles from entering the crossing in the time of
approaching train, about which a signal is transmitted from the
control center of railway traffic to the control unit 108 which
controls the signalization device for stopping and slowing down of
vehicles.
[0109] Optionally, the traffic lights 103 consist advantageously of
two alternately flashing red lights 206 placed side by side of the
signal, and are activated to signal "STOP" and deactivated to
signal "FREE".
[0110] Advantageously, a countdown device 200 and a traffic sign
201 with texts and/or symbols, e.g. with "STOP, 20s" as data from
the countdown device and "ATTENTION: CAMERA ON WHEN RED", are
placed on the traffic lights 103 pole, with the texts being
advantageously activated together with the warning lights.
[0111] Advantageously, the dummy camera 117 is installed on the
route, by which a better discipline of drivers is achieved. This
camera can be replaced by a real one.
[0112] FIG. 4 detail 2 depicts the simplified version of the
signaling device for stopping of vehicles in front of barrier 2 of
the railroad crossing, where the slow down section 118 is left out
completely.
[0113] FIG. 5 depicts the signaling device for stopping of vehicles
in front of the crossing supplemented with the combined slow down
section 122, with which the slowing down is carried out by
highlighting of speed limit of the activated traffic sign 110 when
the warning lights 106 are activated by the sensor 107 of warning
lights, and by the radar unit 116 as well, advantageously with the
display 119 of the radar unit placed in front of the light traffic
sign 110, showing the speed of vehicles. The speed limit sign is
activated with vehicles exceeding the adjustable speed limit. After
the light traffic sign 110, the light traffic sign 120 "End of all
restrictions" is advantageously placed, in a necessary distance.
The dummy camera 117 is advantageously placed on it, it is
replaceable with a real camera. This possibility provides savings
and drivers never know which camera is placed. To accentuate the
effect, a pilot light flashes on the dummy camera 117 to create the
impression of recording.
[0114] The combined slow down section 122 can be optionally fitted
more than once. It is applicable in the road traffic on crossing
with or without barriers. On unprotected crossings, the light
traffic sign 110 is activated only from the radar unit 116, which
can be placed in the light traffic sign 110.
[0115] After the combined slow down section 122, stopping section
115 follows advantageously. Its radar unit sets 116, via control
unit 108, the traffic lights 103 to "STOP", advantageously to red
light, in the case of approaching speeding vehicle, even when the
warning lights 106 of the crossing aren't activated. When they are
activated, they are set to "STOP" automatically. The radar unit is
advantageously adapted to be set to either unreduced speed, e.g. 50
km/h, or to reduced speed. e.g. 30 km/h, when the traffic sign 120
is activated and the light traffic sign is not activated or not
mounted. Speed on the radar unit 116 is adjustable to a speed of an
optional value higher than is the value of the speed limit, so that
the intended tolerance of speeding is reached.
[0116] The stopping section 115 is employable even in the traffic
without barriers 2. In such case, the signaling lights 103 are
represented by the radar unit 11.sctn. only. When the warning
lights 106 are activated the light traffic sign 120 is not, in
order to make the speed limit, e.g. 30 km/h, remain valid.
[0117] Dummy camera 117 is advantageously placed on the traffic
lights 103, and advantageously on the traffic sign's pole. In front
of dummy cameras there are advantageously placed signs announcing
the speed check, to increase their efficiency. On the radar unit's
display 119, apart from the measured speed, a text is shown,
announcing the necessity of slowing down to the limited speed, e.g.
to 30 km/h, related to the speed shown on the light traffic sign
110 that follows. A real camera 117', replaceable by a dummy one,
doesn't record speeding only, it records passing through red on the
traffic lights 103 as well.
[0118] FIG. 6 depicts another measure that can be applied to
prevent drivers from reaching the barriers 2 in case of passing
through red on the traffic lights 103. Detector 136, consisting of
a camera or a sensor, then advantageously controls a light traffic
sign on the edge of traffic lane 134, a "No entry" sign 131 and/or
"Indicated direction of traffic" sign 132, requesting the driver to
drive into a waiting lane 133 where the driver advantageously sees
the sign 135 commanding him to await the arrival of police. The
driver is prevented from exiting by the barrier 130, advantageously
controlled wirelessly. Advantageously, there is the communication
unit 139, adapted for vocal communication with the control center
and/or with police.
[0119] FIG. 7 depicts an example of a device for securing of safety
of railroad crossing against vehicle entry during flashing of the
warning lights by traffic lights situated on intersection and on
the intersection 70 of the type "T".
[0120] Traffic lights usually control intersections 69 by the
control unit 6, with which they are connected by connections 105.
With the activation of signal 206 of two alternately flashing red
lights of the crossing, the traffic lights 15 which control the
traffic lanes "A", from which the barriers 2 are accessed, are set
to the "STOP" regime, in which they shine red. If they shine in a
different color, they are set to red following the regulations,
that means from green through orange. So they prevent vehicles from
accessing to the barriers 2 from the lanes "A". Traffic lights of
traffic lanes "B", in direction from the barriers, are switched to
green, in order to allow the vehicles to leave and to prevent the
formation of traffic jams, which may jam up the railroad
crossing.
[0121] Activation of the light signal 206 is advantageously
detected by the sensor 107 of warning lights, which is connected
with the control unit 6 by the connection 105.
[0122] Traffic lights are switched from "STOP" regime into the
standard regime of intersection control when the barriers are
lowered, advantageously after detection by the sensor 121 of
lowered barriers and/or by the sensor 107 of warning lights 206
which indicates the end of activation of the lights, with
information about this happening being transmitted via connection
105.
[0123] Sensors 71 of vehicles detect the vehicles driven from the
barriers 2 in traffic lane "B" and in case a vehicle is detected
they switch the intersection control so that these vehicles have
priority for green light, in order to prevent the formation of
traffic jams which my jam up the crossing. Vehicles are stopped in
the "STOP" regime during the time of activation of signaling 206
only, until the barriers are lowered, which is a relatively short
period of time, 20 seconds approximately.
[0124] After that, the intersection control is switched to regular
traffic and vehicles pass the controlled intersection to reach the
barriers 2 which are already lowered, therefore they cannot pass
through the crossing at the time of flashing warning lights.
[0125] Vehicles passing between the intersections and the crossing
by the time of activation of the signaling 206 and "STOP" regime
arrive in the very beginning of the period of activation of warning
lights, so they have 20 seconds for a relatively secure passage
through the barriers, before they begin to be lowered, in the case
they fail to respect the lights.
[0126] Following vehicles, for which the crossing would be
hazardous, are stopped by the traffic lights 15.
[0127] Alternatively, the traffic lights don't control the
intersection during the time of opened barriers 2, they are either
deactivated or flashing with orange light. Traffic lights for the
control of direction "B" are advantageously not installed and
vehicles in this lane are given free passage continuously.
[0128] In case of activation of the signaling 206 the color of the
lights is switched, according to the regulations, from flashing
orange to red, until the barriers are lowered. When they are
lowered they are switched back to flashing orange.
[0129] FIG. 8 depicts an advantageous embodiment of device for
securing of safety of railroad crossing with the system of
signaling device for stopping of vehicles in front of the railway
system 1 of barriers of the railroad crossing with increased
safety, which is obtained by the advantageous combination of the
stopper 83 of vehicles for the period of lowered barriers,
advantageously with slow down section 118, with employment of
traffic signs 155 changing the speed limit, advantageously with
employment of a voice unit 24. Traffic signs 155 that modify speed
limit consist advantageously of sets of LED diodes, or, in the
mechanical embodiment, of reversible slats.
[0130] The stopper 83 of vehicles for the time of lowered barriers
consists of commanding signalization 323, advantageously consisting
of three-color traffic lights 204 or of alternately flashing lights
34. Signalization is activated in the moment of activation of
warning sound alarm of the crossing, in order to stop vehicles, and
deactivated when the barriers 2 are lowered, advantageously it's
activated for the period of the warning sound alarm.
Advantageously, the camera 226 is placed on the pole of the stopper
83, noticing the vehicles which drive through red lights.
[0131] The stopper 84 of speeding vehicles consists advantageously
of three-color traffic lights 54 and is activated when a vehicle is
speeding, over the speed limit set by the traffic sign 155 changing
the speed limit, or, in case the traffic sign is not activated,
over the speed limit set by regulation or by preceding traffic
sign. The stopper 84 is advantageously deactivated when the
barriers 2 are lowered.
[0132] In front of the stopper 83 of vehicles, slow down section
118 is placed advantageously, advantageously equipped with the
traffic sign 155 changing the speed limit or, advantageously, with
two or more traffic signs 155, e.g. with 30 km/h and 15 km/h. The
traffic sign 155 changing the speed limit, or a combination of
several signs, they ensure slowing down of vehicles to the
desirable speed at which the vehicles located in front of these
traffic signs 155 in time period between the activation of
signalization of warning lights 106 of the crossing and lowering of
barriers 2, that is in the time of activated sound alarm of the
safety device of the crossing, cannot reach the crossing before the
lowering of barriers. This is ensured by the speed limit changing
traffic signs 155 being advantageously activated in the beginning
of sound alarm system 1 of barriers of the railroad crossing or at
the time of activation of warning signalization of warning lights
106 of the crossing and, advantageously, they are turned off with
the end of warning sound alarm system 1 of barriers of the railroad
crossing, that is when the barriers 2 are lowered.
[0133] Distance between the traffic signs 155 changing the speed
limit, as well as the values of speed limits, is set advantageously
in relation to the duration of sound alarm before the lowering of
barriers, so that the vehicles which entered in the time of
activation of the traffic signs 155 changing the speed limit, and
which are driven at the speed limit, reach the barriers when they
are already lowered.
[0134] For example, the first traffic sign 155 changing the speed
limit, advantageously to 30 km/h, is advantageously placed in a
distance, e.g. in 350 m, from the railway system 1 of barriers of
the railroad crossing, in order to ensure the initial slowing down
of approaching vehicles. The second traffic sign 155 changing the
speed limit for the final slowing down, advantageously 15 km/h, is
advantageously placed in a distance of 240 m from the railway
system 1 of barriers of the railroad crossing. The distance between
the second traffic sign 155 changing the speed limit and the
railway system 1 of barriers of the railroad crossing, and the
value of the speed limit shown on this traffic sign 155 changing
the speed limit are calculated considering the period of time
between the activation of warning sound alarm and the lowering of
barriers, that is usually 30 to 45 seconds, so that a vehicle
driven at the speed limit passing this traffic sign 155 changing
the speed limit would reach the barriers after their lowering, and
that vehicles driven at unreduced speed would reach the barriers in
advance, at least 10 seconds before lowering, so that they are able
to leave the tracks without difficulties, in the case of illegal
entry in the time of active warning signalization. For example, in
a section of 240 m, driving time of a vehicle driven at 50 km/h is
approximately 17 seconds. A vehicle driven at this unreduced speed
would cover this distance from the second traffic sign 155 changing
the speed limit in a shorter period of time than is the period
between the activation of warning sound alarm and the lowering of
barriers, which is e.g. 30 seconds, and if it was 240 m from the
crossing by the time of activation of the warning sound alarm, it
would reach the barriers 13 seconds before their lowering,
therefore it would have enough time to pass through the crossing
safely, before the lowering of barriers, in a case of illegal
entry. On the other hand, a vehicle driven at the reduced speed of
15 km/h would cover the distance of 240 m in approximately 58
seconds. Vehicle driven at this reduced speed and located in the
distance mentioned above from the crossing at the time of
activation of the warning sound alarm would therefore reach the
crossing when the barriers 2 are lowered already.
[0135] The system of device of signalization is advantageously
equipped with the traffic sign 85 "Light signals", advantageously a
light one, and highlighted by LED diodes. Multiple traffic signs of
this kind can be placed in a row, e.g. two of them, installed on
the poles of traffic signs 155 changing the speed limit. LED diodes
of the traffic sign 85 "Light signals" are advantageously activated
with the activation of warning signalization of the crossing and
are advantageously turned off after the lowering of barriers 2,
therefore they are activated for the period of warning sound
alarm.
[0136] The device for or securing of safety of railroad crossing is
advantageously equipped with the switchable traffic sign 120 "End
of all restrictions", advantageously a light traffic sign, or
mechanical with slats, and advantageously placed on the pole of the
traffic sign 85 "Light signals" in the distance advantageously of
80 m and 160 m from the railway system 1 of barriers of the
railroad crossing. The light traffic sign 120 "End of all
restrictions" is activated with the lowered barriers and it allows
the vehicles to reach the lowered barriers at unreduced speed.
[0137] The device for or securing of safety of railroad crossing is
advantageously equipped with the voice unit 24, placed
advantageously on the pole of the stopper 83 of vehicles, therefore
in the distance of approximately 80 m from the crossing. For the
period of lowered barriers, the voice unit 24 plays advantageously
a text, e.g. "Stop here, camera on the red". The system of device
of signalization advantageously contains second voice unit 24,
installed advantageously 80 m in front of the first voice unit 24.
Voice units 24 are advantageously deactivated when the sensor 71 of
vehicles detects that a vehicle stopped in front of the first
commanding signalization 323.
[0138] Nearby the crossing, advantageously on the pole of the dummy
camera 117, the acoustic sensor 21L is installed advantageously,
and it serves for detection of the warning sound alarm of the
security device of the crossing, advantageously it contains the
directional microphone 74. On that pole, the traffic sign 91 "End
of speed check area" is placed advantageously, as well as the
omnidirectional transmitter 79 for the transmission of signal of at
least one of the following traffic signs: the sign 85 "Light
signals", stopper 83 of vehicles for the period before the lowering
of barriers. The signal emitted by the omnidirectional transmitter
79 is received by the receivers 80, which are advantageously placed
on the poles of elements mentioned above, and their state is
controlled by this signal. On the first pole of the dummy camera
117, the traffic sign 90 "Speed check" is installed advantageously
as well.
[0139] The system of the signaling device for stopping of vehicles
in front of the railway system 1 of barriers of the crossing
advantageously contains the signaling lights 81 on the roadway, to
highlight the stopper of vehicles for the period of time before the
barriers are lowered. The signalization lights 81 on the roadway
are advantageously installed in the roadway in the area of the
stopper 83 of vehicles and are activated at the same time, in the
period of time before the barriers are lowered, and are
advantageously bordered by the traffic signaling 82 "Transverse
continuous line", employable for highlighting of the area for
stopping of vehicles during activation.
[0140] This embodiment ensures multiple securing of the railway
system 1 of barriers of the railroad crossing. The first security
measure consists advantageously in the slowing down of vehicles via
slow down section 118 with the traffic signs 155 changing the speed
limit in the period of time between the beginning of warning sound
alarm of the railway system 1 and lowered barriers, so that the
vehicles cannot enter the crossing before the barriers 2 are
lowered. The second security measure consists advantageously in the
stopping of vehicles by the stopper 83 of vehicles for the time
before the barriers are lowered.
[0141] The third security measure consists advantageously in
placing of the 84 stopper of speeding vehicles.
[0142] The fourth security measure consists advantageously in
highlighting of the 83 stopper of vehicles for the time before the
barriers are lowered by the traffic sign 201, advantageously
equipped with the text "STOP" and advantageously equipped with the
countdown unit 200. The fifth security measure consists
advantageously in highlighting of the stopper 83 of vehicles for
the time before the barriers are lowered by the voice unit 24.
[0143] All the above-mentioned security measures are effective
separately, in order to ensure the securing of safety of railroad
crossing, and employed optionally.
[0144] FIG. 8 detail 1 depicts block diagram of the acoustic sensor
213, which detects the sound alarm of railroad crossings. It
contains advantageously the directional microphone 74,
advantageously placed in the focal point of parabola 75 directed
towards the railway signalization device, and this acoustic sensor
213 is advantageously tuned. This means, that the microphone's
characteristics and its sensitivity, in cooperation with evaluation
circuits, are set to characteristic and energetically most
represented frequencies occurring in the sound signal of the
warning sound alarm of a railroad crossing, advantageously, they
are set for each railroad crossing individually.
[0145] Thanks to this, the detector reacts only to this sound
signal. The tuning is carried out automatically at operator's
command, with the aid of a microprocessor, which, in an appropriate
regime of functioning, evaluates the sound signal of a given
railway warning signaling device and sets the characteristic for
evaluating circuits. The evaluation of sounds is carried out on the
basis of Fourier's development of signals into individual
components and their content is compared to the sample, to which
the acoustic sensor is tuned. In the case of sufficient
correspondence the sensor sets its output signal to the state
meaning that the detection of a warning sound signal of a railway
security device on a crossing was successful. Further signalization
takes places, in correspondence with this application of invention,
which secures a better safety on the crossing.
[0146] Railroad sound signals contain at least one and usually two
dominant frequencies, even though there can be more of them. Sounds
of the warning sound device on the other side of the tracks reach
the concerned side of the crossing as well. This allows tuning of
the acoustic sensor 213 to one side or to both of them, while
tuning to both sides increases the security of the crossing
further, as complementary signalization is implemented on both
sides even in the case of failure of the railway device on one of
the sides.
[0147] Directional microphone 74 which captures the railway warning
sound signal on the crossing is directed towards the crossing and
placed in the parabola 75, its output signal is transmitted to the
input of the amplifier 76, advantageously of a differential one,
and is further converted into a digital signal in A/D converter 77.
This signal is evaluated in the microprocessor 78 and compared with
a recorded pattern, characteristic for the crossing.
[0148] In case of correspondence the signal on appropriate output
of the microprocessor reaches the value which expresses this
correspondence. Advantageously, output signal of this
microprocessor reaches the value "1", which lasts advantageously
for the period of reception of the sound signalization. This signal
is used to activate other devices, connected wirelessly or by a
wire via omnidirectional transmitter 79, so it can be used by all
devices of the crossing security equipped with receiver 80.
[0149] Alternatively, the transmitter 79 is adapted for duplex
communication with the receiver 80 which is adapted for duplex
traffic via mobile network as well, advantageously via local WIFI
network 87. This enables gathering of information of state of the
device from the annunciators 88 of state. This information is
advantageously registered in the memory of microprocessors 78
and/or it is advantageously transmitted to the server 21 of the
control center of railway traffic, through a long-distance network,
advantageously through a network of a mobile operator, and from
there it is advantageously transmitted to selected participants 22.
The device advantageously contains security sensors and/or cameras
10 which protect it against theft, and whose signal is transmitted
to the control panel, which may advantageously address a thief in
time of action, discouraging him via voice unit 24.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0150] Application of the system for securing of safety of railroad
crossing against vehicle entry during warning signaling on all
railroad crossings would bring, aside from increase of safety,
preventing damage on both lives and property, great potential of
industrial production of these devices.
* * * * *