EP2857277B1

EP2857277B1 - Programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment with communication coupling to external intelligent peripherals and the method for controlling this equipment's activity

Info

Publication number: EP2857277B1
Application number: EP14003294.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Martin Zidek; Pavel Cermak; Vladimir Miska
Original assignee: AZD Praha SRO
Current assignee: AZD Praha SRO
Priority date: 2013-09-24
Filing date: 2014-09-23
Publication date: 2016-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2034-09-23
Also published as: DE202014011127U1; CZ2013735A3; HRP20161051T1; CZ305263B6; EP2857277A1; PL2857277T3

Description

Technical field

The invention concerns programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment with a communication coupling to external intelligent peripherals, where at least one level crossing is situated on the railroad lines.
The invention also concerns the method for controlling the activity of this programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment.

Background of the Invention

EP 1 187 750 B1 , published on 17.9.2003 , with the owner being Siemens AG DE, priority application DE 199 28 317 A1 , concerns equipment for securing a railway level crossing. The individual components of the railway level crossing, being the setting parts and the arrangement of the sensors are mutually connected by a wireless transmitter and/or receiver. In the setting parts for the assigned controllers the reports of the sensors are processed and transformed into the setting commands for the blocking parts. The power supply for the setting parts and sensors, as well as the controllers and transmitter and/or receivers assigned to them, is primarily made using decentralised solar cells. Only when a power line for the operation of the setting parts and the sensors is available can there also be a central power supply; this is also why the central power supply of decentralised power supply equipment is possible. In every case the control of the setting equipment is decentralised and wireless. The individual setting parts can, as required, be equipped with decentralised power supply equipment without any change in the concept.
The advantage of the solution compared to conventional level crossing safeguarding equipment is the decentralisation of the control to the setting equipment. The disadvantage of the solution is the absence of a control core for the central processing of functional algorithms for the level crossing safeguarding equipment, which limits the setup of the setting equipment for only one locality of crossing of a road and a railway track and does not permit the central processing of functional algorithms for the level crossing safeguarding equipment for a group of several level crossings in the given area of coverage.
GB 2 419 624 B, published on 25.2.2009 , with the owner being Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings Ltd., GB, describes a railway level crossing. It describes equipment having gates or barriers, which can be opened or closed or lifted or dropped. The gates or barriers are equipped with detection equipment containing switches and relays to detect whether at least one of the gates is open or closed or at least one of the barriers is lifted or dropped. Warning equipment, such as beacons or LED displays, are connected with detection equipment providing a warning signal to users of the crossing and informing them that at least one gate is open or at least one barrier is lifted. The LED display may be double-sided writing with a warning text.
The solution deals with categories of user-controlled level crossing safeguarding equipment, which are common in Great Britain and is not related to the solution of safeguarding level crossings with automatic control, which is common in Europe.
GB 2 457 276 A, published on 12.8.2009 , with the owner being Westinghouse Brake and Signal Holdings Ltd. GB, describes a railway level crossing warning system. The connection with the railway level crossing contains: a warning system on the level of the level crossing for warning of an approaching train; means for detection of approaching train used for activating the warning system; and a system for verifying the warning system. The system is equipped with feedback for the train that activated the warning system. The feedback makes it possible to indicate to the engine driver by starting a sound warning against the train. The warning system can provide a local visual and sound warning. The type of indication to the engine driver on the display changes thanks to the feedback. The display can be comprised of an LED matrix.
The advantage of the solution compared to conventional level crossing safeguarding equipment is the possibility of connecting a warning system of signals for the control and feedback through a communication line. The disadvantage of the solution is the absence of a control core for the central processing of functional algorithms for the level crossing safeguarding equipment, which limits the setup of the blocking equipment for only one locality of crossing of a road and a railway track and does not permit the central processing of functional algorithms for the level crossing safeguarding equipment for a group of several level crossings in the given area of coverage.
EP 2 425 414 B1, published on 30.1.2013 , with the owner being Siemens AG DE, describes the method and equipment for controlling traffic on a railway level crossing on which a road and railway track cross on the same level in a danger zone. The road contains at least one crossing to the danger zone and consecutively one exit from the danger zone. The crossing for vehicles before the danger zone is closed or opened using a safeguarding mechanism. If the flow of vehicles to the exit from the danger zone is measured, these measurements can be used to evaluate the traffic jam to the exit from the place where the danger zone ends and, when the approach of the end of the traffic jam to the danger zone which would close the exit from the danger zone is critical, the operational safeguarding on the level crossing can be improved.
The solution represents an extension to the conventional level crossing safeguarding equipment; it does not concern the essence of the solution of the actual safeguarding of the level crossing. The advantage of this extension is that it decreases the risk ensuing from not respecting the freedom beyond the level crossing when a line of cars is leaving the crossing location.
CZ 282 966, published on 12.11.1997, with the owner being A
D PRAHA s.r.o., CZ describes programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment, which is meant for controlling the output peripherals, i.e. warning board signal lights, sound warnings, barrier drives and barrage signal lights. This equipment cooperates with a block of input commands, with a block of outdoor elements, with a power supply block and, if necessary, with a block of indication elements. The block of input commands and the power supply block are connected through the first and second input block to the control block, which is connected to the comparator block, which is connected through the block of switching circuits to the block of outdoor elements. The control block is a secure programmable control unit. The first input block is a secure peripheral device for the secure entry of the input commands to the data memory. The second input block is a secure peripheral device for the secure entry of the input commands to the data memory, independent of the first input block. The comparator block is a secure coincidence circuit of critical control block outputs for the control of the block of switching circuits. The block of switching circuits is comprised of a type-N switching relay in the sense of the international codex UIC 736. The switching relay contacts are connected both in the circuits of the block of outdoor elements and as feedback to both of the input blocks.
The programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment according to CZ 282 966 can be programmed for various types and configurations of control track and controlled outdoor elements with varied connections according to the requirements and philosophy of the safeguarding equipment, not only from the perspective of Czech standard No. 34 2600, but also in the sense of various norms of other national railways. It enables the use of a single- or double-processor unit in place of the control block without the need for synchronisation.
The disadvantage of this situation is the location of the control block either on the site where the railroad and road intersect or on the site of the level crossing safeguarding equipment. The equipment uses a single-processor unit or double-processor unit, which does not result in getting or achieving a high availability of functionality of the safeguarding equipment. The placement of the input and output elements connected to the control block have a limited reach
CZ 297 617, priority 28.12.2005 CZ, with the owner being A
D Praha s.r.o. CZ, is an intelligent LED light with LED diodes for outdoor light signalisation in railway safeguarding technology. This light is divided into three independent LED sections, while the shine from only two LED sections is sufficient for fulfilling the relevant standards for the optical characteristics of this light. The functionality of each LED diode is controlled in three independent ways. The control of the functionality of the control and supervisory electronics of each section of the LED light is performed as is a control of the functionality of the electrical power supply. The continual and simultaneously performed control of the LED diodes ensures the secure monitoring of this LED light. The detection of a defect in one section is transferred to the parent system, where it is indicated and evaluated. It is important that each randomly occurring single defect is detected and does not cause an outage to the functionality of the LED light, while the basic security principles for the proceed and stop signal are preserved. The connection to the parent system for commands and indications take place along the communication line. An advantage of this solution is the distribution of the warning board's intelligence to the remote peripheral.
CZ PV 2008 - 369, priority 16.6.2008 CZ, with the applicant being A
D Praha s.r.o, CZ introduces the method for the control of mechanical warnings at light safeguarding equipment through the electromechanical barrier drive. The barrier lowers in a set interval after issuing a vital command signal to lower. The lowering is performed simultaneously by two different mutually independent principles, passive and forced. Passive lowering is ensured by the weight of the barrier and forced lowering is performed by an electric motor. The barrier is affixed in the upper terminal position using two mutually independent brake circuits with regular and automatic testing of their function and evaluation of their functionality. Secure information about the real terminal positions of the barrier is obtained simultaneously from two independent barrier position sensors with a comparison of their function. For equipment that performs this method it is characteristic that the drive elements of the barrier drive, being the drive shaft, electric motor, coupling and gears, are grouped into separate branches, independent of the brake circuits with the brakes and the free wheels on the brake shaft.
The advantage of this invention is that it ensures the safe operation and functioning of the mechanical warnings at light level crossing safeguarding equipment. This resolves the lowering of the barrier in the prescribed time interval, which is in most cases within 12 seconds from the issuing of the command to lower, as is specified in Czech Standard
SN 342650 (within 10 seconds) and in other national railway specifications, i.e. 412 UPUTSTVO - the Serbian railway standard (within 12 seconds). Thus it achieves the high reliability of motorised and simultaneously gravitational lowering, especially in the case when there is a motor failure; or on the contrary, when adverse wind conditions, or strong winds, act against the gravitational lowering. The disadvantage of this solution is the absence of a control subsystem in the barrier drive, which does not enable the distribution of the barrier drive intelligence to the remote peripheral.

Summary of the Invention

The aforementioned disadvantages are removed or considerably limited with the programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment, with a communication coupling to an external intelligent peripheral, in accordance to this invention. The essence of this invention consists in the level crossing safeguarding equipment containing a backed-up programmable control block, which is connected through a backed-up transfer of data to remote intelligent peripherals, that are located near the railroad lines on the site specified for the safeguarding of level crossings, and which are partially or fully backed up. The backed-up programmable control block, backed-up data transfer and remote intelligent peripherals, are connected to the backed-up power supply through the backed-up power line. In the given area of coverage of the backed-up programmable control block there are 1, 2 to M remote intelligent peripherals in one site for the safeguarding the level crossing and 1, 2 to J sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing. The value of the number M remote intelligent peripherals in one site for the safeguarding of one level crossing and the value of the number J of sites specified for the safeguarding of one level crossing depends on the performance capacity of the backed-up programmable control block and on the transfer capacity of the backed-up data transfer.
The main advantage of the submitted invention is the increase in reliability, safety and functional availability of the level crossing safeguarding equipment in the sense of Czech Standard No. CSN EN 50 126 while lowering expenses, with regard to conventional level crossing safeguarding equipment in that a very high number of remote intelligent peripherals can be connected to one control system of the level crossing safeguarding equipment and one backed-up programmable control block can control several level crossings within reach of the communication equipment. The conception of the system design secures this system's greater resistance against external influences, atmospheric, traction, etc. A great strength is also the very high availability of the basic elements of the equipment according to this invention, specifically the backed-up programmable control block, remote intelligent peripherals and backed-up data transfer. Thanks to the current level of technology for the realisation of the backed-up transfer of data and for the distribution of the backed-up power supply along the backed-up power line, the remote intelligent peripherals can be distributed to a considerable distance from the backed-up programmable control block, and also share a joint backed-up programmable control block for a group of several level crossings in the given area of coverage. The remote intelligent peripherals can be partially or fully backed up.
If part of the intelligence of the level crossing safeguarding equipment in the form of functional algorithms is centralised into the backed-up programmable control block, part of the intelligence of the level crossing safeguarding equipment, relating to the warning signal, to the barrier drive, to the detection elements for determining the location of a train and to the feedback to the engine driver is distributed to the remote intelligent peripherals, then the functional requirements placed on the level crossing safeguarding equipment can be fully fulfilled while removing or significantly limiting the disadvantages specified in the background of the invention. By adding a control subsystem to the barrier drive resolved in this manner, this solution can be applied advantageously as a remote intelligent peripheral of the level crossing safeguarding equipment.
To cover the station variant and/or track variant of the level crossing safeguarding equipment the remote intelligent peripherals are situated along the railroad lines at an essentially unlimited distance, e.g. at a length on the order of kilometres, or tens or even hundreds of kilometres, from the backed-up programmable control block. The backed-up programmable control block is bi-directionally connected through an interface to the station and/or track safeguarding equipment. The maximum distance between the backed-up programmable control block and the remote intelligent peripherals is given by the technological level of the technical means of the backed-up transfer of data and the dimensioning of the pair of independent power sources, including the dimensioning of the power lines for covering the power performance balance of the backed-up programmable control block and all the remote intelligent peripherals.
Sharing the common backed-up programmable control block for a group of multiple level crossings saves some of the control technologies of the level crossings, which brings considerable savings. It is equipment that enables the control of remote intelligent peripherals at large distances, with the transfer of information from the backed-up programmable control block to the station and/or track safeguarding equipment through a specific interface.
Two arrangements are specified for the realisation of the isolated island variant of the level crossing safeguarding equipment. Either the backed-up programmable control block is situated on the site of the level crossing in geographically remote areas for the realisation of the isolated island variant of the level crossing safeguarding equipment with a level crossing protection signal device such as a barrage signal board. Or the backed-up programmable control block is situated in the site of the level crossing and the remote control and check block is connected to it bi-directionally over an interface for the realisation of the isolated island variant of the level crossing safeguarding equipment with the transfer of remote commands and remote indications to the site of operations. The island variant enables the control of intelligent peripheries in remote areas by distant level crossings. The island variant of the level crossing safeguarding equipment brings savings in the cabling for connecting the performance elements for the backed-up programmable control block.
The full coverage of the performance elements of the level crossing safeguarding equipment is ensured by the remote intelligent peripherals, containing at least one block from a group of blocks, containing a warning board block, a barrier drive block, a block of on and off switching elements of automatic control and a block of a level crossing protection signal such as a barrage signal board in the function of an indication of the status of the level crossing safeguarding equipment towards the engine driver.
In a suitable arrangement there are warning board blocks and/or barrier drive blocks and/or blocks of on and off switching elements of automatic control and/or blocks of a level crossing protection signal, mutually integrated within one site for the safeguarding of a level crossing into at least one common remote intelligent peripheral and/or into the backed-up programmable control block. This combination of various blocks of technical means in one level crossing site represents the optimisation both from the perspective of better prices and from the perspective of lowering performance losses.
The variability of the solution for the backed-up programmable control block presents an arrangement where conventional barrier drives and/or conventional warning boards and/or conventional track circuits and/or axle counters and/or point elements in the function of on and off switching elements of the automatic control of the level crossing and/or conventional level crossing protection signal devices such as barrage signals boards in the function of the indication of the state of the level crossing safeguarding equipment towards the engine driver are connected to the backed-up programmable control block. This arrangement makes it possible to use conventional technical means since it is suitable if the user requires a connection to the aforementioned conventional technical means for the backed-up programmable control block.
The backed-up transfer of data can be realised using an optical communications line and/or metallic communication line and/or wirelessly, which enables the variability of the use of the available media for the transfer of data in the given locality.
To increase the accessibility of the backed-up programmable control block, the backed-up transfer of data and remote intelligent peripherals it is good, if the backed-up programmable control block and/or backed-up transfer of data and/or remote intelligent peripherals, are connected over more than one power line of the backed-up power line on more than one backed-up power supply, while the backed-up power supply is located in the location where the technical means of the backed-up programmable control block is located.
The use of the power supply that is already present in the given location enables such an arrangement of technical means of the power supply, where at least one source of power of the backed-up power supply is remote and thus decentralised from the location of the technical means of the backed-up programmable control block.
The use of a non-conventional power source represents at least one back-up power source comprised of a solar and/or wind generator.
The conventional power supply method presents at least one backed-up power supply, which uses batteries as the back-up element.
The optimal placement of the backed-up programmable control block, from the perspective of performance and price, ensures the use of existing and available resources, where the backed-up programmable control block is located in the technological cabinet in the interlocking room or in the mainframe in the site of the level crossing or in the technological cabinet located in the shed or cell in the site of the level crossing.
An interface, comprised of a data output communication and/or a contact signal interface and/or a power input/output signal interface is used for the transfer of the control and indication signals between the backed-up programmable control block and the station safeguarding equipment and/or between the backed-up programmable control block and the track safeguarding equipment and/or between the backed-up programmable control block and the remote control and check block.
Economising the technical resources of the backed-up programmable control block by combining it with another device is made possible if the backed-up programmable control block is part of the station safeguarding equipment's control technology or the track safeguarding equipment's control technology.
It is better when the backed-up power supply and technology necessary for the backed-up power lines, including the power supply for the barrier drive motor circuits and/or the technology necessary for the backed-up date transfer are located, in the site of the level crossing, in the mainframe or in the shed or in the cell. The use of these available technical resources, thanks to the variability of the placement in the site of the level crossing, leads to an improvement of the lines of sight and thus to a secondary increase in traffic safety at the level crossing. This arrangement is also very important because it provides considerable savings when controlling multiple level crossings. It is not necessary, for example, to build a shed or mainframe separately for each level crossing. It is not necessary to establish a backed-up power supply separately for each level crossing. Meanwhile the investment expenses work out to be far lower than in the case of building its own system with many of these technical means, required for each level crossing.
The method of controlling activities on this programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment with a communication coupling to external intelligent peripherals is performed according to this invention. The essence of this method consists in the level crossing safeguarding equipment being controlled by a backed-up programmable control block that, through the backed-up transfer of data, communicates with the remote intelligent peripherals, and simultaneously monitors, controls and supervises these remote intelligent peripherals. The remote intelligent peripherals are partially or fully backed up. The backed-up programmable control block, backed-up data transfer and remote intelligent peripherals are powered through backed-up power lines from a backed-up power supply. The communication coupling to the remote intelligent peripherals, where at least one level crossing is situated on the railroad lines, represents the transfer of data meant particularly for controlling the activities of the outdoor elements of the programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment, i.e. for turning the warning light, sound and mechanical signalisation and, if necessary, the positive signal on and off, for turning the signal device for the engine driver on and off and for controlling the indications for the transport signalman, for multiple peripherals and multiple safeguarded locations.
The optimal division of the control functions between the backed-up programmable control block and the remote intelligent peripherals is advantageously resolved in that part of the intelligence of the level crossing safeguarding equipment in the form of functional algorithms is centralised in the backed-up programmable control block and part of the intelligence of the level crossing safeguarding equipment, related to the warning signal, the barrier drive, the detection elements for determining the location of a train and with the feedback to the engine driver is distributed to the remote intelligent peripherals. The remote intelligent peripherals communicate with the backed-up programmable control block through the backed-up data transfer. The remote intelligent peripherals are distributed along the railroad lines to an essentially unlimited distance, e.g. on the order of kilometres, or tens or even hundreds of kilometres from the backed-up programmable control block while sharing the mutual backed-up programmable control block for a group of multiple level crossings in the given area of coverage.
The optimal transfer and indication method from the backed-up programmable control block to the connected station and/or track safeguarding equipment is performed in that the backed-up programmable control block receives control signals from the station safeguarding equipment and/or track safeguarding equipment and/or that the backed-up programmable control block sends indication signals to the station safeguarding equipment and/or track safeguarding equipment through a bi-directional interface.
The optimal transfer and distribution of the control functions of the programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment between the backed-up programmable control block and the remote intelligent peripherals, from the perspective of the requirements on the power capacity of the backed-up programmable control block and the remote intelligent peripherals, is ensured as follows. The backed-up programmable control block monitors the status of the input commands transferred from the input remote intelligent peripherals through the backed-up data transfer and/or the backed-up programmable control block monitors the status of the input commands transferred from the station safeguarding equipment over the interface and/or transferred from the track safeguarding equipment and/or transferred from the remote control and check block. The input commands are invoked automatically by the journey of a train, remote activities of other safeguarding equipment or manually by the operator, where each input command is processed and converted, according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block, into input information of the backed-up programmable control block, which is transferred through the backed-up data transfer as input information to the output remote intelligent peripherals. The output remote intelligent peripherals process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance element related to the warning signal and/or the barrier drive and/or the feedback to the engine driver and also the output remote intelligent peripherals perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from the backed-up data transfer from the output remote intelligent peripherals back to the backed-up programmable control block. According to the functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block the output indications, transferred from the output remote intelligent peripherals, are assigned to the proper location of the safeguarded level crossing and are converted on the interface in the direction of the station safeguarding equipment and/or track safeguarding equipment and/or in the direction of the remote control and check block, for displaying the indications related to the individual locations of the safeguarded level crossings to the transport signalman.
The function of the level crossing safeguarding equipment from the perspective of the remote intelligent peripherals, which control and supervise the performance function of this equipment without encumbering the backed-up programmable control block, represents a method where each remote intelligent peripheral acts, from the perspective of the backed-up programmable control block, as an input and/or output remote intelligent peripheral.
The output remote intelligent peripheral, which represents, for example, a warning board block, processes its input information, transferred through the backed-up data transfer from the backed-up programmable control block, in the form of its functional algorithms, and mediates the control of the performance element related to the warning signal and/or with the sound signal while this warning board block also performs the supervision of its performance elements and, in the form of its functional algorithms, processes the output indications that are transferred from the warning board block through the backed-up data transfer to the backed-up programmable control block.
The output remote intelligent peripheral, which represents, for example, a barrier drive block, processes its input information, transferred through the backed-up data transfer from the backed-up programmable control block, in the form of its functional algorithms, and mediates the control of the performance element related to the barrier drive. The barrier drive block also performs the supervision of its performance elements and, in the form of its functional algorithms, processes the output indications that are transferred from the barrier drive block through the backed-up data transfer to the backed-up programmable control block.
The input remote intelligent peripheral, which represents, for example, an on and off switching elements of automatic control block, processes, in the form of its functional algorithms, the input signals that cause the automatic driving of the train to the input commands and transfer the status of these input commands through the backed-up data transfer to the backed-up programmable control block.
The output remote intelligent peripheral, which represents, for example, a level crossing protection signal block such as a barrage signal board, processes its input information, transferred through the backed-up data transfer from the backed-up programmable control block, in the form of its functional algorithms, and mediates the control of the performance element related to the relevant signal aspect. The level crossing protection signal block such as a barrage signal board performs the supervision of its performance elements and, in the form of its functional algorithms, processes the output indications that are transferred from the level crossing protection signal block such as a barrage signal board through the backed-up data transfer to the backed-up programmable control block.

Description of the Fixtures on the Diagrams

The essence of the invention is illustrated in the attached schematic diagrams, which represent:

Fig. 1 the overall block schema of controlling, supervising and power supply of remote intelligent peripherals of level crossing safeguarding equipment.

The solution is also described in detail in the example implementations and is also illustrated in the attached schematic diagrams, which represent:

Fig. 2 an example block schema of the station variant of level crossing safeguarding equipment,
Fig. 3 an example block schema of the track variant of level crossing safeguarding equipment,
Fig. 4 an example block schema of the island variant of level crossing safeguarding equipment with a level crossing protection signal block such as a barrage signal board and
Fig. 5 an example block schema of the island variant of level crossing safeguarding equipment with remote control.

Examples of Implementing the Invention

Example 1

(Fig. 1)

The level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE contains a backed-up programmable control block CB, which is connected through the backed-up data transfer DT to remote intelligent peripherals IP, which are located near the railway lines RL in the site designated for the safeguarding of the level crossing LC, and which are partially or fully backed up. The backed-up programmable control block CB, backed up data transfer DT and remote intelligent peripherals IP are connected to a backed-up power supply PS through backed-up power lines PL. In the given area of coverage of the backed-up programmable control block CB there are 1, 2 to M remote intelligent peripherals IP in one site for safeguarding the level crossing and 1, 2 to J sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing LC.
The number M of remote intelligent peripherals IP in one site for the safeguarding of the level crossing LC and the number J of sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing LC depends on the performance capacity of the backed-up programmable control block CB and on the transfer capacity of the backed-up data transfer DT. The value M is commonly on the order of tens. Similarly, the value J is also usually on the order of tens.
On the overall block diagram in Fig. 1 the number M of remote intelligent peripherals IP and number J of sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing LC are displayed.
For greater lucidity, clarity and comprehension of the text the number M of remote intelligent peripherals IP and number J of sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing LC are not presented in the text of the examples below.
The method for controlling the activities of this level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE is as follows:

The backed-up programmable control block CB monitors the status of the input commands transferred from the input remote intelligent peripherals IP through the backed-up data transfer DT and/or from the connected safeguarding equipment through the interface I. The input commands are invoked automatically by the train's journey, by the remote activities of other safeguarding equipment or manually by an operator. Each input command is, according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block CB, processed and converted into output information of the backed-up programmable control block CB, which is transferred as input information through the backed-up data transfer DT to the output remote intelligent peripherals IP. The remote intelligent peripherals IP process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance element related to the warning signal, to the barrier drive and to the feedback to the engine driver. At the same time output remote intelligent peripherals IP perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from the output remote intelligent peripherals IP through the backed-up data transfer DT to the backed-up programmable control block CB. The output indications, transferred from the output remote intelligent peripherals IP, are allocated, according to the functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block CB, to the appropriate site of the safeguarded level crossing LC and also converted on the interface I in the direction of the display of the indications relating to the individual sites of safeguarded level crossings LC for the transport signalman. All of the activities of the outdoor elements of the programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment are performed in this manner, i.e. for turning the warning light, sound and mechanical signalisation and, if required, the positive signal on or off, for turning the signal device for the engine driver on and off and for turning the indications for the transport signalman on or off.

As shown in the next examples, thanks to the flexibility of this solution the station variant SV and track variant TV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE can be covered to a practically unlimited distance, in a length on the order of kilometres or even tens or hundreds of kilometres, along the railway lines RL between the backed-up programmable control block CB and the remote intelligent peripherals IP. The maximum distance between the backed-up programmable control block CB and the remote intelligent peripherals IP is given by the level of the technology of the backed-up data transfer DT and the dimensioning of the independent power supply PS including the dimensioning of the backed-up power lines PL for the coverage of the power performance balance of the or even tens or hundreds of kilometres, along the railway lines RL between the backed-up programmable control block CB and all of the remote intelligent peripherals IP. The distribution of the backed-up programmable control block CB to the site of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE can also cover the isolated island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE in remote areas, or implement conventional level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE.

Example 2

(Fig. 2)

The block diagram of the station variarit SV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE is displayed in Fig. 2. The backed-up programmable control block CB is located in the technological cabinet TC in the station's interlocking room IR and is connected through the interface I to the station safeguarding equipment SSE, which can be ESA produced by A
D. The interface I is used for the transfer of control and indication signals between the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE and the station safeguarding equipment SSE and it is comprised of either a data output communication adapter or alternatively a contact or power input/output interface. Alternatively the backed-up programmable control block CB can be part of the control technology of the station safeguarding equipment SSE.
The required number of remote intelligent peripherals IP in the form of warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD, located near the railway line RL in the site of the level crossing LC, are connected to the common backed-up external data bus for the backed-up data transfer DT. The backed-up external data bus for the backed-up data transfer DT can also, if required, be conveyed to the next station or track level crossing LC. Optical or magnetic cable can be used for the backed-up data transfer DT or it can be done wirelessly. The remote intelligent peripherals IP can be partially or fully backed up. One of the possibilities on the site of the warning board block WB is the use of intelligent LED lights pursuant to CZ 297 617, priority 28.12.2005 CZ, with the owner being A
D Praha s.r.o.; one of the possibilities on the site of the barrier drive block BD is the use of a mechanical warning control method through the electromechanical barrier drive pursuant to CZ PV 2008 - 369, priority 16.6.2008 CZ, with the applicant being A
D Praha s.r.o, with the addition of a control subsystem for the barrier drive block BD. The warning board blocks WB or barrier drive blocks BD can be mutually combined in one site for the safeguarding of a level crossing LC into one joint remote intelligent peripheral IP or into multiple joint remote intelligent peripherals IP. Conventional barrier drives connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface, can be used instead of the barrier drive blocks BD. Conventional warning boards connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface, can be used instead of the warning board blocks WB.
For fulfilling the requirements for the backed-up power supply it is necessary to have a pair of independent powers supplies PS and backed-up power lines PL, e.g. a backed-up AC connection directly from the station's interlocking room. A back-up power supply from a neighbouring station can be used in the case of corridor track sections.
The need for the construction of further infrastructure (a technology shed) at the level crossing is minimised, which secondarily increases the safety of the level crossing by improving the lines of sight. The technology for the backed-up data transfer DT and the technology for the backed-up power lines PL, including the barrier drive motor power circuits, are located in the site of the level crossing LC situated in the mainframe MF.
The method of controlling the activities of the station variant SV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE is as follows:

Through the interface I the backed-up programmable control block CB also monitors the status of the input commands transmitted from the station safeguarding equipment SSE. Each input command is processed and converted, according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block CB, into output information of the backed-up programmable control block CB, which is transferred as input information through the backed-up data transfer DT to the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD. The warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance elements connected with the warning signal and with the barrier drive. At the same time the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD through the backed-up data transfer DT to the backed-up programmable control block CB. The backed-up programmable control block CB brings the status of the output indications to the station safeguarding equipment SSE through the interface I.

Example 3

(Fig. 3)

The block diagram of the track variant TV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE is displayed in Fig. 3. The backed-up programmable control block CB is located in the technological cabinet TC in the station's interlocking room IR and is connected through the interface I to the station safeguarding equipment SSE, which can be ESA produced by AZD, or to the track safeguarding equipment TSE. The interface I is used for the transfer of control and indication signals between the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE and the station safeguarding equipment SSE or the track safeguarding equipment TSE and it is comprised of either a data output communication adapter or alternatively a contact or power input/output interface. Alternatively the backed-up programmable control block CB can be part of the control technology of the station safeguarding equipment SSE or track safeguarding equipment TSE.
The required number of remote intelligent peripherals IP in the form of warning board blocks WB, barrier drive blocks BD and on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC, located near the railway line RL in the site of the level crossing LC, are connected to the common backed-up external data bus for the backed-up data transfer DT. The backed-up external data bus for the backed-up data transfer DT can also be shared jointly with other level crossings LC. Optical or magnetic cable can be used for the backed-up data transfer DT or it can be done wirelessly. The remote intelligent peripherals IP can be partially or fully backed up. One of the possibilities on the site of the warning board block WB is the use of intelligent LED lights pursuant to CZ 297 617, priority 28.12.2005 CZ, with the owner being A
D Praha s.r.o.; one of the possibilities on the site of the barrier drive block BD is the use of a mechanical warning control method through the electromechanical barrier drive pursuant to CZ PV 2008 - 369, priority 16.6.2008 CZ, with the applicant being A
D Praha s.r.o, with the addition of a control subsystem for the barrier drive block BD. The warning board blocks WB, barrier drive blocks BD and on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC can be mutually combined in one site for the safeguarding of a level crossing LC into one joint remote intelligent peripheral IP or into multiple joint remote intelligent peripherals IP. Conventional barrier drives connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface, can be used instead of the barrier drive blocks BD. Conventional warning boards connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface, can be used instead of the warning board blocks WB. Conventional on and off switching elements of automatic control, such as track circuits or axle counters or point elements for determining the occupancy of the tracks, connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface I, can be used instead of the on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC.
For fulfilling the requirements for the backed-up power supply it is necessary to have a pair of independent power supplies PS and backed-up power lines PL, e.g. AC connections for feeding the station safeguarding equipment SSE of neighbouring stations, or various combinations of the main and back-up power supply connection from the neighbouring stations in combination with the non-conventional power supplies according to better geographic and other conditions.
The need for the construction of further infrastructure (a technology shed) at the level crossing is minimised, which secondarily increases the safety of the level crossing by improving the lines of sight. The technology for the backed-up data transfer DT and the technology for the backed-up power lines PL, including the barrier drive motor power circuits, are situated in the mainframe MF located in the site of the level crossing LC.
The method of controlling the activities of the track variant, TV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE is as follows:

Through the backed-up data transfer DT the backed-up programmable control block CB also monitors the status of the input commands transmitted from the on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC and through interface I the backed-up programmable control block CB also monitors the status of the input commands transmitted from the station safeguarding equipment SSE or from the track safeguarding equipment TSE. Each input command is processed and converted, according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block CB, into output information of the backed-up programmable control block CB, which is transferred as input information through the backed-up data transfer DT to the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD. The warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance elements connected with the warning signal and with the barrier drive. At the same time the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD through the backed-up data transfer DT to the backed-up programmable control block CB. The backed-up programmable control block CB brings the status of the output indications to the station safeguarding equipment SSE or to the track safeguarding equipment TSE through the interface I.

Example 4

(Figs. 4 and 5)

The block diagram of the island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE is displayed in Fig. 4 and in Fig. 5. The backed-up programmable control block CB is located in the mainframe MF or in the technological cabinet TC located in the shed S, or in the cell C in the site of the level crossing LC.
The island level crossing LC can be implemented in two variants, specifically:

the island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE with the level crossing protection signal block, such as a barrage signal board (Fig. 4),
the island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE with remote control (Fig. 5).

The required number of remote intelligent peripherals IP in the form of warning board blocks WB, barrier drive blocks BD, on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC and level crossing protection signal blocks LCPS i.e. barrage signal boards, located near the railway line RL in the site of the level crossing LC, are connected to the common backed-up external data bus for the backed-up data transfer DT. Optical or magnetic cable can be used for the backed-up data transfer DT or it can be done wirelessly. The remote intelligent peripherals IP can be partially or fully backed up. One of the possibilities on the site of the warning board block WB is the use of intelligent LED lights pursuant to CZ 297 617, priority 28.12.2005 CZ, with the owner being AZD Praha s.r.o.; one of the possibilities on the site of the barrier drive block BD is the use of a mechanical warning control method through the electromechanical barrier drive pursuant to CZ PV 2008 - 369, priority 16.6.2008 CZ, with the applicant being A
D Praha s.r.o, with the addition of a control subsystem for the barrier drive block BD. The warning board blocks WB, barrier drive blocks BD, on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC and level crossing protection signal blocks LCPS can be mutually integrated into the backed-up programmable control block CB or into one joint remote intelligent peripheral IP or into multiple joint remote intelligent peripherals IP. Conventional barrier drives connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface, can be used instead of the barrier drive blocks BD. Conventional warning boards connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface, can be used instead of the warning board blocks WB. Conventional on and off switching elements of automatic control, such as track circuits or axle counters or point elements for determining the occupancy or un-occupancy_of the tracks, connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, either through a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface I, can be used instead of the on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC. Conventional barrage signals connected to the backed-up programmable control block CB, through a contact or power input/output interface I, can be used instead of the level crossing protection signal blocks LCPS i.e. barrage signal boards.
The backup power supply, i.e. the presence of a pair of independent power supplies PS and backed-up power lines PL, can be resolved either centrally from the local power connection with a backed-up batter or with the use of solar energy or wind energy or distributed for individual locally-situated remote intelligent peripherals IP, or groups of locally-situated remote intelligent peripherals IP in combination with non-conventional power supplies according to better geographic and other conditions.
The technologies for the backed-up data transmission DT and the technologies of the power supplies PS and he backed-up power lines PL including barrier drive motor power circuits are located in the site of the level crossing LC specifically in the mainframe MF or in a shed S, or in a cell C.
In the case of the island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE with remote control and check pursuant to Fig.4 the backed-up programmable control block CB is connected to the remote control and check block RC. The connection of the remote control and check block RC to the backed-up programmable control block CB is done through the interface I, which is comprised of either a data output communication adapter or, alternatively, through a contact or power input/output interface.
The method of controlling the activities of the island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE with the level crossing protection signal block i.e. barrage signal board, is as follows:

Through the backed-up data transmission DT the backed-up programmable control block CB monitors the status of the input commands transmitted from the on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC. Each input command is processed and converted, according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block CB, into output information of the backed-up programmable control block CB, which is transferred as input information through the backed-up data transfer DT to the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD. The warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance elements connected with the warning signal and with the barrier drive. At the same time the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD through the backed-up data transfer DT to the backed-up programmable control block CB. The backed-up programmable control block CB brings the status of the output indications through the backed-up data transmission DT to the level crossing protection signal blocks LCPS, i.e. barrage signal boards, which process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance element connected with the control of the lights of the level crossing protection signal device, such as a barrage signal board. The level crossing protection signal blocks LCPS i.e. barrage signal boards, perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from the level crossing protection signal blocks LCPS, i.e. barrage signal boards through the backed-up data transmission DT to the backed-up programmable control block CB.

The method of controlling the activities of the island variant IV of the level crossing safeguarding equipment LCSE with remote control is as follows:

Through the interface I the backed-up programmable control block CB monitors the status of the input commands transmitted from the on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks AC and the status of the input commands transmitted from the remote control and check block RC. Each input command is processed and converted, according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block CB, into output information of the backed-up programmable control block CB, which is transferred as input information through the backed-up data transfer DT to the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD. The warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and mediate the control of the performance elements connected with the warning signal and with the barrier drive. At the same time the warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from warning board blocks WB and barrier drive blocks BD through the backed-up data transfer DT to the backed-up programmable control block CB. The backed-up programmable control block CB brings the status of the output indications through the interface I to the remote control and check block RC, which displays the distance indications on its display panel.

Industrial Applicability

The programmable level crossing safeguarding equipment with a communication coupling to remote external intelligent peripherals resolves technology for railway traffic, its control and the assurance of its safety. It concerns, in more detail, the issue of security measures related to the operation of trains and the protection of road level crossings, especially control, warning or similar safety means along the tracks or between the vehicles or trains.

List of References

AC on and off switching elements of automatic control block AC
C cell
S shed
RC remote control and check block RC
IP remote intelligent peripheral IP
J number J of places meant for safeguarding one level crossing LC
RL railroad lines
M number M of remote intelligent peripherals IP in one place for safeguarding level crossing LC
PL backed-up power line
LCPS level crossing protection signal block LCPS i.e. barrage signal board
PS backed-up power supply
SV station variant SV of level crossing safeguarding equipment
TV track variante TV of level crossing safeguarding equipment
IV island variant IV of level crossing safeguarding equipment
LC level crossing
DT data transfer DT
MF mainframe
LCSE level crossing safeguarding equipment
I interface
CB backed-up programmable control block
IR interlocking room
SSE station safeguarding equipment
TC technological cabinet
TSE track safeguarding equipment
WB warning board WB block
BD barrier drive BD block

Claims

A programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment with a communication coupling to external intelligent peripherals, where at least one level crossing (LC) is situated on railroad lines (RL), is characterised in that
- the said programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) contains a backed-up programmable control block (CB), which is connected through a backed-up data transfer (DT) to remote intelligent peripherals (IP), which are located near the railroad lines (RL) on site specified for a safeguarding of the level crossings (LC), and which are partially or fully backed up, whereas

- the backed-up programmable control block (CB), the backed-up data transfer (DT) and the remote intelligent peripherals (IP) are connected to a backed-up power supply (PS) over backed-up power lines (PL), and

- in the given area of coverage of the backed-up programmable control block (CB) there are 1, 2 to M remote intelligent peripherals (IP) in one site for the safeguarding of the level crossing (LC), and

- 1, 2 to J places designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing (LC), where a value M of remote intelligent peripherals (IP) in single site for the level crossing (LC) and a value J of sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing (LC) is dependent on a performance capacity of the backed-up programmable control block (CB) and on a transfer capacity of the backed-up data transfer (DT).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that
- the remote intelligent peripherals (IP) are situated at distance, in a length on the order of kilometres or tens or hundreds of kilometres, along the railroad lines (RL) from the backed-up programmable control block (CB), for the coverage by optional variants of a station variant (SV) and/or a track variant (TV) of the said level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE), while

- the backed-up programmable control block (CB) is bi-directionally connected through an interface (I) to a station safeguarding equipment (SSE) and/or to a track safeguarding equipment (TSE).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that
the backed-up programmable control block (CB) is situated in the site of the level crossing (LC) in geographically distant areas for a realisation by optional variant of an isolated island variant (IV) of the said level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) with a level crossing protection signal such as a barrage signal,
or
the backed-up programmable control block (CB) is situated in the site of the level crossing (LC) and a remote control and check block (RC) is bi-directionally connected to it over the interface (I) for the realisation of the isolated island variant (IV) of the said level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) with a transmission of remote commands and remote indications to the site of operations.
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that the remote intelligent peripheral (IP) contains at least one block from a group of blocks comprised of a warning board block (WB), a barrier drive block (BD), an on and off switching elements of automatic control block (AC) and a level crossing protection signal block (LCPS), such as a barrage signal board, in a function of indication of a status of the said level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) in direction of an engine driver.
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 4 is characterised in that the warning board blocks (WB) and/or the barrier drive blocks (BD) and/or the on and off switching elements of automatic control blocks (AC) and/or the level crossing protection signal blocks (LCPS), are integrated, within one site for the safeguarding of the level crossing (LC);
to at least one joint remote intelligent peripheral (IP) and/or
to the backed-up programmable control block (CB).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that
- conventional barrier drives and/or

- conventional warning boards and/or

- conventional track circuits and/or axle counters and/or point elements for determining an occupancy and/or un-occupancy of a track with on and off switching elements of automatic control and/or

- conventional level crossing protection signal devices, such as barrage signal boards to the indication of a status of the level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) in direction of an engine driver are connected to the backed-up programmable control block (CB).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that the backed-up data transfer (DT) is realised using an optical communications line and/or a metallic communications line and/or wirelessly.
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that the backed-up programmable control block (CB) and/or the backed-up data transfer (DT) and/or the remote intelligent peripherals (IP) are connected over more than one power line of the backed-up power lines (PL) to more than one power supply of the backed-up power supply (PS), while the backed-up power supply (PS) is located in the site of the placement of the backed-up programmable control block (CB).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 8 is characterised in that at least one power supply of the backed-up power supply (PS) is remote, and thus decentralised from the site of the placement of the technical resources of the backed-up programmable control block (CB).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 8 is characterised in that at least one source of power of the backed-up power supply (PS) is comprised of a solar and/or wind generator.
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 8 is characterised in that at least one source of power of the backed-up power supply (PS) uses batteries as a back-up element.
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that the backed-up programmable control block (CB) is located in a technological cabinet (TC) in an interlocking room (IR) or is located in a mainframe (MF) in the site of the level crossing (LC) or is located in a technological cabinet (TC) located in a shed (S) or in a cell (C) in the site of the level crossing (LC).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 2 or 3, is characterised in that the interface (I) is comprised of a data output communication adapter and/or contact signal interface and/or power input/output signal interface.
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 2 is characterised in that the backed-up programmable control block (CB) is part of a control technology of the station safeguarding equipment (SSE) or control technology of the track safeguarding equipment (TSE).
The programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment pursuant to claim 1 is characterised in that
the backed-up power supply (PS) and/or
at least one source of power of the backed-up power supply (PS) and/or
a technology necessary for the backed-up power line (PL) including barrier drive motor power circuits and/or
a technology necessary for the backed-up data transfer (DT),
are in the site of the level crossing (LC) located in the mainframe (MF) or in the shed (S) or in the cell (C).
A method of controlling the activities of a programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) with a communication coupling to external intelligent peripherals, where at least one level crossing (LC) is situated on railroad lines (RL), is characterised in that
the said programmable railway level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) is controlled by a backed-up programmable control block (CB), which communicates with remote intelligent peripherals (IP_J.1, IP_J,2, ..., IP._J.M,) through a backed-up data transfer (DT), and it simultaneously monitors, controls and supervises these remote intelligent peripherals (IP_J.1, IP_J.2, ..., IP._J,M,), where
M is a number of remote intelligent peripherals of a single site for the safeguarding of the level crossing (LC) located in the vicinity of the railroad lines (RL) in the site designated for safeguarding of the level crossings (LC₁, LC₂, ..., LC_J) and
J is a number of sites designated for the safeguarding of one level crossing, and meanwhile remote intelligent peripherals (IP) are partially or fully backed up, while the backed-up programmable control block (CB), the backed-up data transfer (DT) and remote intelligent peripherals (IP) are powered through a backed-up power line (PL) from a backed-up power supply (PS).
The method of controlling the activities according to claim 16 is characterised in that
- part of intelligence of the said level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE) in the form of functional algorithms is centralised in the backed-up programmable control block (CB) and

- part of intelligence of the said level crossing safeguarding equipment (LCSE), related to the warning signal, to the barrier drive, to the detection elements for determining the position of a train and to the feedback to the engine driver, is distributed to the remote intelligent peripherals (IP), while

- remote intelligent peripherals (IP) communicate with the backed-up programmable control block (CB) through the backed-up data transfer (DT),

- remote intelligent peripherals (IP) are distributed along the railroad lines (RL) at distance, at a length on the order of kilometres, or tens or hundreds of kilometres, from the backed-up programmable control block (CB) and they simultaneously share the joint backed-up programmable control block (CB) for a group of several level crossings (LC) in the given area of coverage.
The method of controlling the activities according to claim 16 is characterised in that the backed-up programmable control block (CB) accepts control signals from a station safeguarding equipment (SSE) and/or a track safeguarding equipment (TSE) and/or the backed-up programmable control block (CB) sends indication signals to the station safeguarding equipment (SSE) and/or the track safeguarding equipment (TSE) through the bi-directional interface (I).
The method of controlling the activities according to claim 16 is characterised in that
- the backed-up programmable control block (CB) monitors the status of the input commands transferred from the input remote intelligent peripherals (IP) through the backed-up data transfer (DT) and/or

- the backed-up programmable control block (CB) monitors the status of input commands transferred from the station safeguarding equipment (SSE) and/or transferred from the track safeguarding equipment (TSE) and/or transferred from a remote control and check block (RC) through the interface (I), while

- the input commands are invoked automatically by the journey of a train, remote activities of other safeguarding equipment or manually by the operator, where

- every input command is processed according to functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block (CB) and converted into output information of the backed-up programmable control block (CB), which are transferred through the backed-up data transfer (DT) as input information to the output remote intelligent peripherals (IP), while

- the output remote intelligent peripherals (IP) process their input information in the form of their functional algorithms and provide the control of the performance elements connected with the warning signal and/or with the barrier drive and/or with the feedback to the engine driver and simultaneously

- the output remote intelligent peripherals (IP) perform the supervision of their performance elements and, in the form of their functional algorithms, process the output indications, which are transferred from the output remote intelligent peripherals (IP) through the backed-up data transfer (DT) back to the backed-up programmable control block (CB), while

- according to the functional algorithms in the backed-up programmable control block (CB) the output indications, transferred from the output remote intelligent peripherals (IP), are assigned to the proper location of the safeguarded level crossing (LC) and are converted on the interface (I) in the direction of the station safeguarding equipment (SSE) and/or the track safeguarding equipment (TSE) and/or in the direction of the remote control and check block (RC), for displaying the indications related to the individual locations of the safeguarded level crossings (LC) for a transport signalman.
The method of controlling the activities according to claim 16 is characterised in that
- each remote intelligent peripheral (IP) behaves from the perspective of the backed-up programmable control block (CB) as an input and/or output remote intelligent peripheral (IP), while

- a warning board block (WB) represents the output remote intelligent peripheral (IP) that processes its input information, transferred through the backed-up data transfer (DT) from the backed-up programmable control block (CB), in the form of its functional algorithms, and provides the control of the performance element related to the warning signal and/or to the sound signal, and simultaneously

- the warning board block (WB) performs the supervision of its performance elements and, in the form of its functional algorithms, processes the output indications, that are transferred from the warning board block (WB) through the backed-up data transfer (DT) to the backed-up programmable control block (CB), while

- a barrier drive block (BD) represents the output remote intelligent peripheral (IP) that processes its input information, transferred through the backed-up data transfer (DT) from the backed-up programmable control block (CB), in the form of its functional algorithms and provides the control of the performance element related to the barrier drive, and simultaneously

- the barrier drive block (BD) performs the supervision of its performance elements and, in the form of its functional algorithms, processes the output indications that are transferred from the barrier drive block (BD) through the backed-up data transfer (DT) to the backed-up programmable control block (CB), while

- an on and off switching elements of an automatic control block (AC) represents the input remote intelligent peripheral (IP) that processes, in the form of its functional algorithms, the input signals, that are automatically invoked by the journey of a train to input commands and transfer the status of these input commands through the backed-up data transfer (DT) to the backed-up programmable control block (CB), while

- a level crossing protection signal block (LCPS), such as a barrage signal board, represents an output remote intelligent peripheral (IP) that processes its input information, transferred through the backed-up data transfer (DT) from the backed-up programmable control block (CB), in the form of its functional algorithms and provides the control of the performance element related to the relevant signal aspect, and simultaneously

- the level crossing protection signal block (LCPS), such as a barrage signal board, performs the supervision of its performance elements and, in the form of its functional algorithms, processes the output indications, that are transferred from the level crossing protection signal block (LCPS), such as a barrage signal board, through the backed-up data transfer (DT) to the backed-up programmable control block (CB).