FR2771363A1 - System for improving safety at railway level crossing. - Google Patents

Abstract

The system has a retarder (1) which is retracted when the level crossing is open, and projects when the level crossing is closed. This system is controlled by the train arrival system. A fog sensor actuates a flashing light in case of fog, and an object sensor is only activated when the crossing is opened. The system uses a retractable stop indicator, (1) movable indicating panels (12, 13, 16) and winking lamps (14, 17), fog detection system and a detector of objects on the railway track. The indicator (1) is controlled by the train arrival system, simultaneously as the crossing barriers are operated. The movable panels (12, 13, 16) are actuated by the stop sign (1) and pivot so that they are visible to the road user, the panels are only illuminated when a train arrival is due and when the crossing is closed, the green light (53) being extinguished. The object sensor only operates when the barriers are raised. The fog sensor actuates a flashing white light (17) only in the case of fog, when the visibility is less than 25 meters.

Description

 The object of the present invention is to improve safety; rity of level crossings (PN) formed by the intersection of a road with a railway.

 This innovation consists of a mobile retarder placed transversely to the road lane heading towards the level crossing and pivoting panels that can be lit when the PN is closed.

 Reinforcement of road and rail signaling will be carried out simultaneously with the installation of the device indicated above as well as detection of fog and presence of obstacle on the level crossing concerned.

 The device according to the invention must allow the drivers traveling on this road to be better informed of the presence of the passage with closed level, in the sense that the mobile retarder is lifted only when the road is cut by the barriers of the PN and, at the same time, illuminated signposts appear perpendicular to the road. The shock caused by the raised retarder prompting the driver to slow down to better control his speed while his vigilance is reinforced by the lit panels.

The mobile retarder is controlled by the announcement system of a train while the mobile panels are actuated by the retarder mechanism; they rotate to be visible to the driver and are on when the
PN is closed.

 When the PN is open, a fixed green light is on.

It is off when it is closed.

 The obstacle detector does not work when the barriers are raised (PN open).

 The fog detector device is active when visibility is less than 25 meters; it then commands a white flashing light, without further action on the other devices.

 The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

 Figure 1 shows the equipment of the roadway (R1) heading towards the PN. The legend is as follows -1- Mobile retarder. -10- "50" Km / h sign.

-2- Half barriers. -11- Beacon 50 meters.

-3- Retarder tank. -12- "Retarder" panel -4- Fixed speed bump. -13- Panel "30t 'Km / h.

-5- Beacon 150 meters. -14- Flashing red light -6- "PN" sign. -15- Guide tube.

-7- Sign "70" Km / h. -16- Sign "PN FERME" -8- Beacon 100 meters. -17- Flashing light.

-9- "Donkey back" sign. -18- Electric box.

 Figure 2 shows a possible arrangement of the lifting mechanism of the mobile retarder. The legend is as follows -1- Mobile retarder. -25- Return rod.

-3- Casing. -26- Inverter "opening" -20- Base plate. -27- "Closing" reverser -22- Motor. -28- Sump.

-23- Transmission. -29- Cardans.

-24- Screw-Mothers. - 30- Extendable rods.

 For example, the tank could have the following dimensions: - length across the road: 3 m.

 - width of the retarder: 0.25 m.

 - depth: according to the mechanism.

 - lifting speed of the retarder: 4 cm.

At road level, waterproofing in the event of rain is ensured by elastomer strips (1A). The casing is made of precast cement and must be able to support a load of at least 10 tonnes per axle. Two rings allow it to be lifted for placement on the road. A sump and residual water outlets are arranged at the bottom.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the com box
Motherboard order.

The operating sequence is as follows - If the PN is open, the half-barriers are raised.
the panels (12) (13) (16) are off and parallel 9
the road. The lights (14) (54) are off. The green light (53)
is on. The obstacle detector does not work.

 The retarder (1) is lowered flush with the road.

If the visibility is less than 25 meters, the detection
fog light ignites a white flashing light (17).

- When a train is announced
The green light (53) goes out. The red lights (14) and (54)
flash. The announcement bell (55) is ringing. The slow down
sor (1) rises, pivoting the panels (12) (13)
(16) which light up and appear perpendicular
lie to the road. The half barriers are lowered. Of the
obstacle guard is operating if a vehicle has remained
between the half-barriers and lights a steady red light (60)
absolute stop on the railway track, about 1000 meters
of the PN, at the height of the sign: "PN at 1000 m." (59).

- When the train has passed
The flashing red lights (14) and (54) go out.

The retarder (1) is brought back to the level of the road,
the panels (12) (13) (16) have pivoted parallel to
the road. After a delay, the half-barriers
get up, freeing the road. The green light (53) goes
lume. The obstacle detector is deactivated.

FIG. 4 shows, in plan, the arrangement of the level crossing where the regulatory devices are found: flashing red light (54) and announcement bell (55) as well as the PN numbering panel (58) and possibly the sign (62) 'ONE TRAIN CAN HIDE ANOTHER
Note the presence of the fog detector (56) and the obstacle detector (61).

 Figure 5 shows the panel pivot system.

Two variants are possible: funicular transmission (49) or rod transmission (50).

Figure 6 shows another possible embodiment of the retarder lifting mechanism (1)
The proposed system should very significantly increase safety at level crossings at an acceptable cost, much lower than the construction of overpasses or underpasses, often impracticable in urban areas.

Claims (6)

 1) Device intended to improve safety at level crossings, characterized in that it comprises, across the roadway heading towards the level crossing (PN), a retractable retarder (1), mobile indicator panels ( 12) (13) (16), flashing lights (14) and (17), fog detection systems (56) and obstacle detection systems (61) on the railway track.  2) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that the retarder (1) is controlled by the announcement system of a train, simultaneously with the operation of the barriers of the level crossing.  3) Device according to claims 1) and 2) characterized in that the mobile panels (12) (13) (16) are actuated by the mobile retarder (1) and pivot to be visible or not visible to the user. the road.  4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mobile panels (12 (13) (16) are only lit when a railway convoy is announced, and in that, when the PN is closed green light (53) is off.  5) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that the obstacle detector (61) does not work when the barriers are raised.  6) Device according to claim 1) characterized in that the fog detector device (56) activates a white flashing light (17) only in the event of fog, when the visibility is less than 25 meters, without further action on other devices.