EP1849679B1 - Système de sécurité pour passage à niveau - Google Patents

Système de sécurité pour passage à niveau Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1849679B1
EP1849679B1 EP06113200A EP06113200A EP1849679B1 EP 1849679 B1 EP1849679 B1 EP 1849679B1 EP 06113200 A EP06113200 A EP 06113200A EP 06113200 A EP06113200 A EP 06113200A EP 1849679 B1 EP1849679 B1 EP 1849679B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
level
crossing
railroad
sensor
crossing barrier
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP06113200A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1849679A1 (fr
Inventor
Göran Gatenfjord
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GG Rail AB
Original Assignee
GG Rail AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by GG Rail AB filed Critical GG Rail AB
Priority to EP06113200A priority Critical patent/EP1849679B1/fr
Priority to DE602006002113T priority patent/DE602006002113D1/de
Priority to AT06113200T priority patent/ATE403586T1/de
Publication of EP1849679A1 publication Critical patent/EP1849679A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1849679B1 publication Critical patent/EP1849679B1/fr
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L29/00—Safety means for rail/road crossing traffic

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a system, a railroad level-crossing barrier and a method for detecting a foreign object within a protected area of a railroad level-crossing.
  • the system comprises a control unit and at least one sensor.
  • railroad level-crossings or railroad grade crossings, are crossings where a road for vehicles and a railroad track for trains intersect in the same plane. Occasionally accidents occur as a result of vehicles being present on the railroad level-crossing when a train passes. A collision between a train and a vehicle often results in extensive material damage, traffic disturbance as well as in people being fatally injured.
  • crossing barriers Several safety systems exist for preventing vehicles from crossing the railroad tracks, such as crossing gates, or crossing barriers, being lowered across the road when a train approaches the crossing.
  • crossing barriers When the crossing barriers are lowered, vehicles are not allowed to pass, and once the train has passed, the crossing barriers are raised to allow road traffic across the tracks.
  • Visual and acoustic signals are commonly combined with crossing barriers.
  • a signal is usually sent to the train driver to indicate whether the crossing is free to pass or not.
  • the signal may be visual, such as a green light if the crossing is clear, and is often arranged at a specific distance before the crossing. If an object is present on the crossing, the signal may be red, allowing the driver of the train to stop the train before it reaches the crossing.
  • automatic systems are generally arranged for automatically stopping the train, in case the train driver does not respond to a stop signal.
  • the signal to the train driver is commonly derived from a system for detecting objects.
  • a system for detecting objects comprises magnetic detectors buried below ground level in between the railroad tracks at the point of the crossing, sensing a vehicle body made of metal.
  • Another example is laser or infrared detectors, sensing an object interrupting the laser or infrared beam. Both these system are arranged to automatically detect a foreign object on the tracks, and to automatically send a signal to warn the train driver so that the train may be stopped.
  • Another system for detecting objects on a level-crossing is based on video surveillance, where the crossing is viewed by a person located in a surveillance central.
  • US-6,933,858 discloses yet another system for automatically detecting the presence of a foreign object located within a surveillance area associated with a railroad level-crossing.
  • the system has a transmitter transmitting a signal through the surveillance area and a reflector receiving the transmitted signal.
  • a disturbance or interruption of the signal e.g. as a result of a foreign object present between the transmitter and the reflector, generates a warning signal for stopping an approaching train.
  • a problem with prior art systems for detecting foreign objects present on a railroad level-crossing is that it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to verify if the system is operable.
  • the system according to the invention is highly advantageous in that the sensor is a pulse radar that is arranged on the pivotable arm of the level-crossing barrier, which provides for a dynamic position of the sensor as the crossing barrier switches between two positions for allowing or denying vehicle traffic over the crossing.
  • the dynamic position of the level barrier efficiently allows a specific object to be detected during a selected position of the barrier, for automatically verifying that the system is operable.
  • the first position of the level-crossing barrier may be an open position, or may be any position during movement from a closed position to the open position of the level-crossing barrier, for facilitating convenient detection of the specific object.
  • the second position of the level-crossing barrier may be a closed position of the level-crossing barrier, which provides for efficient detection of a foreign object within the protected area.
  • the system may be configured to provide a signal indicating, in any combination: detection of a foreign object within the protected area, no detection of a foreign object within the protected area, detection of the specific object, and no detection of the specific object.
  • the system may comprise at least two sensors, and the system may be configured to provide a signal indicating allowed railroad-vehicle passage, if the system provides, from at least one of the two sensors, signals indicating that the specific object was detected during a specific time interval, and no foreign object is detected within the protected area. This prevents the system from denying trains to pass in case one of the sensors is inoperable.
  • the system may comprise at least two sensors, and the system may be configured to provide a signal indicating allowed railroad-vehicle passage, if the system provides, from each of the at least two sensors, signals indicating that the specific object was detected during a specific time interval, and no foreign object is detected within the protected area. This provides an increased safety, since information from at least two independent sensors form the basis of denying or allowing a train to pass.
  • the specific object may be configured to be detected when the level-crossing barrier is in the first position. This provides for correct detection of the specific object as well as efficient installation of the system on existing railroad level-crossings.
  • the specific object may have a predetermined area and be prearranged within the detection area of the at least one sensor, for ensuring proper detection of the specific object.
  • the specific object may be a part of the ground, or a part of the railway embankment of the railroad level-crossing, for providing a natural and already present specific object.
  • the at least one sensor is a pulse radar, for providing a sensor efficiently detecting objects under various light and weather conditions.
  • the system may be configured to provide a signal indicating detection of a foreign object within the protected area, when no electric power is supplied to the at least one sensor. This ensures that no passage is allowed when, for example, the sensor is broken or when the level-crossing barrier is broken.
  • the at least one sensor is arranged on a pivotable arm of the level-crossing barrier, for conveniently achieving different positions of the level-crossing barrier.
  • the method according to the invention has the same advantages as the system according to the invention and may comprise any of the embodiments of the system described above.
  • the method according to the invention may comprise the step of providing a signal indicating allowed railroad-vehicle passage of the railroad level-crossing, for convenient integration with existing railroad crossing safety systems.
  • the inventive railroad level-crossing barrier comprises a system according to any of the embodiments of the system described above.
  • the railroad level-crossing barrier according to the invention has the same advantages as the system according to the invention.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a railroad level-crossing 2 incorporating double tracks 16, 17 for trains (railroad-vehicles) and a road 20 for road vehicles.
  • the vehicles travel in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows T.
  • Four conventional level-crossing barriers 8, 8', 19, 19' are arranged to prevent vehicles from crossing the tracks 16, 17 when a train approaches and passes the level-crossing 2.
  • the level-crossing barriers 8, 8', 19, 19' per se are arranged and operated in a known manner.
  • the first level-crossing barrier 8 comprises a pivotable arm 11 and a sensor 4 fixedly arranged on the pivotable arm 11.
  • the sensor 4 is a pulse radar sensor and has a detection area having an extension illustrated by the area D42, for detecting foreign objects within the area D42 when the level-crossing barrier 8 is in its closed position P2 (i.e. the arm 11 is lowered).
  • the extension of the foreign object detection area D42 is defined by the inherent detection area of the sensor 4, and the detection area is moved as the arm 11 is pivoted, since the sensor 4 is fixedly mounted on the arm 11 and since the detection area is fixed in relation to the sensor 4.
  • the level-crossing barrier 8 When road vehicle-traffic is allowed to cross the tracks, 16, 17, the level-crossing barrier 8 has an open position indicated by P1 (i.e. the arm 11 is raised).
  • the open position P1 illustrates (see Fig. 2 ) the arm 11 and the sensor 4 with dashed lines.
  • the open position P1 results in the detection area having an extension illustrated by the area D41.
  • the detection area of the sensor 4 is fixed to the pivotable arm 11 resulting in the detection area being moved along with the arm 11, as the arm 11 is pivoted.
  • a specific object 9, or reference object is arranged in the detection area D41 of the open position P1 of the level-crossing barrier 8, or in the detection area D41 of the "raised” sensor 4.
  • the specific object 9 is arranged outside the detection area D42 of the closed position P2 of the level-crossing barrier 8.
  • the specific object 9 is a steel plate having a specific area large enough to trigger the sensor 4, and preferably the specific object 9 is arranged above the ground G by means of a post 10 or by any other suitable support.
  • the detector 4 is connected to a control unit 3 via a first electric cable 12, and the control unit 3 is connected to a central safety processing unit 14 via a second electric cable 13.
  • the first cable 12 is preferably arranged along the arm 11, the arm 11 is supported by a motor unit 15 for lifting and lowering the arm 11, and the motor unit is mounted on a base 18 which is attached to the ground G.
  • the control unit 3 is in a suitable manner arranged between the sensor 4 and the central safety processing unit 14, and in a preferred version the control unit 3 and the sensor are assembled and mounted as one unit on the arm 11.
  • the central safety processing unit 14 controls the level-crossing barrier 8 in a known manner and communicates with various railway safety and communication systems.
  • the safety processing unit 14 sends a signal to the level-crossing barrier 8 indicating that that the arm 11 is to be lowered.
  • the sensor 4 detects the specific object 9 and sends a signal to the control unit 3 indicating whether the specific object 9 is detected or not.
  • control unit 3 sends to the safety processing unit 14 a signal indicating that the sensor 4 is inoperable. As a result of such a signal, the train is not allowed to pass the crossing 2. Optionally, the train is still allowed to pass, and a signal indicating a need for maintenance of the level-crossing barrier 8 is sent.
  • the system is operable, allowing the sensor 4 to detect any foreign object within the detection area D42 of the closed position P2 of level-crossing barrier 8.
  • a foreign object may be a vehicle, a person or any other object large enough to be detected.
  • the control unit 3 sends to the safety processing unit 14 a signal indicating the presence of an object, which results in the safety processing unit 14 indicating to a train driver that his train may not pass the railroad level-crossing 2.
  • the communication is automatic between the sensor 4, the control unit 3 and the safety processing unit 14.
  • the safety processing unit 14 provides to the control unit 3 a signal indicating the position, P1 or P2, of the level-crossing barrier 8.
  • the sensor 4 is controlled by the control unit 3 to send a signal indicating any detection of an object. If the sensor 4 does not detect any object, the control unit 3 indicates an error to the safety processing unit 14. As soon as the level-crossing barrier 8 is closed, the sensor 4 detects any object, and if an object is detected, the control unit 3 sends to the safety processing unit 14 a signal denying an approaching train to pass.
  • the second level-crossing barrier 8' corresponds to the first level-crossing barrier 8 and has a corresponding specific object 9', sensor 4' with a detection area 42', arm 11' and control unit (not shown).
  • the third and fourth level-crossing barriers 19, 19' are conventional barriers and are by means of the safety processing unit 14 opened and closed in coordination with the first and second level-crossing barriers 8, 8'.
  • Each of the level-crossing barriers 8, 8', 19 and 19' may be correspondingly associated with a respective specific object and consequently fitted with a respective sensor and control unit, resulting in respective detection areas.
  • the number of crossing barriers incorporating the safety system is governed by the required total detection area, or by the need of overlapping detection areas.
  • the cable 12 is arranged to break if a vehicle breaks the arm 11, for allowing the control unit to indicate arm breakage, or for the safety processing unit 14 to detect arm breakage as a result of lost contact with the control unit 3.
  • a second embodiment of the system comprises two sensors 4, 5 which are connected to the control unit 3, for purpose of providing increased safety.
  • both sensors 4, 5 must detect the specific object 9, and none of the sensors 4, 5 must detect a foreign object, for allowing a train to pass.
  • the two sensors 4, 5 provide increased system reliability since at least one of the sensors 4, 5 must detect the specific object 9 and must not detect a foreign object. This would allow one sensor to break, while the detection/non-detection by the remaining sensor allows or denies passage of a train.
  • three or more sensors are arranged on a level-crossing barrier for providing increased safety and/or reliability.
  • the senor may be a video monitoring sensor, a sensor emitting ultra sound, a laser beam or an IR-beam.
  • the specific object may be fitted with a reflector suitable for the selected type of sensor, and different sensor types may be employed in any combination.
  • the level-crossing barrier may have a horizontally pivotable arm, a sliding arm or a foldable arm.
  • the arm may also be vertically lowered or raised.
  • only a specific part of, or the complete level-crossing barrier, may be moved between the two positions.
  • the detection of the specific object may be done a specific number of times during any predetermined time interval and may be done when the arm is raised or lowered, i.e. when the arm is in motion.
  • the sensor and the control unit may be integrated, and each sensor may have a respective control unit. Moreover, in case of more than one sensor, the sensors are arranged not to interfere with each other. It is also possible to provide means for wireless communication between the sensor and the control unit, and/or between the control unit and the safety processing unit.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Système de détection d'un objet étranger dans une zone protégée (A) d'un passage à niveau de voie ferrée (2), ledit système comprenant une unité de commande (3) et au moins un capteur (4), caractérise en ce que le capteur (4) est un radar à impulsions qui est agencé sur un bras pivotant d'une barrière de passage à niveau (8), ledit système étant configuré afin de :
    détecter un objet spécifique (9) pendant un test de fonctionnement du système, lorsque la barrière de passage à niveau (8) se trouve dans une première position (P1), et
    détecter un objet étranger dans la zone protégée (A), lorsque la barrière de passage à niveau (8) se trouve dans une seconde position (P2).
  2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la première position (P1) de la barrière de passage à niveau (8) est une position ouverte, au n'importe quelle position pendant un mouvement d'une position fermée à la position ouverte de la barrière de passage à niveau (8).
  3. Système selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel la seconde position (P2) de la barrière de passage à niveau (8) est une position fermée de la barrière de passage à niveau
  4. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le système est configuré afin de fournir un signal indiquant une quelconque :
    d'une détection d'un objet étranger dans la zone protégée (A),
    d'une absence de détection d'us objet étranger dans la zone protégée (A),
    d'une détection de l'objet spécifique (9), et
    d'une absence de détection de l'objet spécifique (9).
  5. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant au moins deux capteurs (4, 5), dans lequel le système est configuré afin de fournir un signal indiquant une autorisation de passage d'un véhicule de voie fermée, si le système fournit, depuis au moins l'un des deux capteurs au moins (4, 5), des signaux indiquant que
    l'objet spécifique a été détecté pendant un intervalle de temps spécifique, et
    aucun objet étranger n'est détecté dans la zone protégée (A).
  6. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant au moins deux capteurs (4, 5), dans lequel le système est configuré afin de fournir un signal indiquant une autorisation de passage d'un véhicule de voie ferrée, si le système fournit, depuis chacun des deux capteurs au moins (4, 5), des signaux indiquant que
    l'objet spécifique a été détecté: pendant un intervalle de temps spécifique, et
    aucun objet étranger n'est détecte dans la zone protégée (A).
  7. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel l'objet spécifique (9) est configuré afin d'être détecté, lorsque la barrière de passage à niveau (8) se trouve dans la première position (P1).
  8. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1. à 7, dans lequel l'objet spécifique (9) possède une surface prédéterminée et est agencé au préalable dans la zone de détection (D41) d'au moins un capteur (4).
  9. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel l'objet spécifique (9) fait partie du sol (G), ou fait partie du remblai de voie ferrée du passage à niveau de voie ferrée (2).
  10. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, dans lequel le système est configuré afin de fournir un signal indiquant la détection d'un objet étranger dans la zone protégée (A), lorsque aucune puissance électrique n'est fournie au capteur au moins (4).
  11. Procédé destiné à un système de passage à niveau de voie ferrée, ledit système étant agencé afin de détecter un objet étranger dans une zone protégée (A) et comprenant une unité de commande (3), et au moins un capteur (4) qui est un radar à impulsions agencé sur un bras pivotant d'une barrière de passage à niveau (8), ledit procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    détecter un objet spécifique (9) pendant un test de fonctionnement du système, lorsque la barrière de passage à niveau (8) se trouve dans une première position (P1), et
    détecter un objet étranger dans la zone protégée (A), lorsque la barrière de passage à niveau (8) se trouve dans une seconds position (P2).
  12. Procédé selon la revendication 11, comprenant en outre l'étape consistant à :
    fournir un signal indiquant une autorisation de passage d'un véhicule de voie ferrée du passage à niveau de voie ferrée (2).
  13. Barrière de passage à niveau de voie ferrée comprenant un système salon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10,
EP06113200A 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Système de sécurité pour passage à niveau Not-in-force EP1849679B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06113200A EP1849679B1 (fr) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Système de sécurité pour passage à niveau
DE602006002113T DE602006002113D1 (de) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Sicherheitssystem für Bahnübergang
AT06113200T ATE403586T1 (de) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Sicherheitssystem für bahnübergang

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06113200A EP1849679B1 (fr) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Système de sécurité pour passage à niveau

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1849679A1 EP1849679A1 (fr) 2007-10-31
EP1849679B1 true EP1849679B1 (fr) 2008-08-06

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Family Applications (1)

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EP06113200A Not-in-force EP1849679B1 (fr) 2006-04-27 2006-04-27 Système de sécurité pour passage à niveau

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EP (1) EP1849679B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE403586T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE602006002113D1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106143537A (zh) * 2016-07-21 2016-11-23 兰州交通大学 基于雷达的远距离铁路现场作业安全防护系统及方法
US10836413B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2020-11-17 Technological Resources Pty. Limited Control arrangement for a railroad level crossing

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007060303B4 (de) * 2007-12-12 2010-11-25 Simone Lorenz Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Überwachung eines Gefahrenraumes an einem Bahnübergang
EP2266861B1 (fr) * 2009-06-12 2014-05-07 Simone Lorenz Procédé et dispositif de surveillance d'une zone de danger sur un passage à niveaux
DE202012101250U1 (de) 2012-04-05 2013-07-09 Sick Ag Sicherheitssystem zur sicheren Überwachung eines Bahnübergangs
JP6336857B2 (ja) * 2014-08-27 2018-06-06 株式会社日立製作所 車両制御システム及び車両制御装置

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SE9203904D0 (sv) * 1992-01-31 1992-12-23 Kenneth Gustavsson Anordning foer att oevervaka en zon samt positionering av objekt inom denna
DE9411602U1 (de) * 1994-07-18 1995-08-17 Siemens Ag Anordnung zum Feststellen von Objekten in einem zu überwachenden Bereich
DE29623877U1 (de) * 1996-03-29 2000-06-29 Honeywell Ag Gefahrenraum-Überwachung
DE19623524A1 (de) * 1996-06-13 1998-01-02 Pintsch Bamag Ag Einrichtung zur Gefahrenraumüberwachung an einem Bahnübergang
AU2001274897A1 (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-12-03 Eva Signal Corporation Self-testing train detection system
US6688561B2 (en) * 2001-12-27 2004-02-10 General Electric Company Remote monitoring of grade crossing warning equipment

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10836413B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2020-11-17 Technological Resources Pty. Limited Control arrangement for a railroad level crossing
CN106143537A (zh) * 2016-07-21 2016-11-23 兰州交通大学 基于雷达的远距离铁路现场作业安全防护系统及方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE403586T1 (de) 2008-08-15
DE602006002113D1 (de) 2008-09-18
EP1849679A1 (fr) 2007-10-31

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