JP2016078528A - Special signal light emitting machine inspection equipment and road-rail vehicle including special signal light emitting machine inspection equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time required to conduct inspection while preventing occurrence of an individual difference of an operator in a result of inspection of a special signal light emitting machine.SOLUTION: Special signal light emitting machine inspection equipment 1 includes an imaging unit 2 that acquires image data, a position information acquisition unit 3 that acquires position information on the imaging unit 2, a memory unit 41 that preliminarily stores position information on a verification point in inspection of a special signal light emitting machine, and a processing unit 42 that processes the image data and position information. The imaging unit 2 acquires the image data at least at the verification point while being moved along a track. The processing unit 42 performs image processing of recognizing light emission of the special signal light emitting machine in the image data acquired at the verification point by the imaging unit 2, and determines whether at least one light emission of the special signal light emitting machine is recognized. Accordingly, an operator need not recognize the light emission of the special signal light emitting machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a special signal light emitter inspection device for inspecting a special signal light emitter in a railway and a railroad vehicle having the special signal light emitter inspection device.

  Some railroad crossings are provided with a special signal light emitter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The special signal light emitter is a device that displays a light emission signal when it is necessary to stop the train urgently (No. 2050 of Non-Patent Document 1), and a railroad crossing trouble notification device (No. 6013 of Non-Patent Document 1). When the obstacle detection device (No. 6014 of Non-Patent Document 1) is operated, the light emission signal is displayed.

  Paragraph 33 of the interpretation standard of the ministerial ordinance that establishes technical standards related to railways, the device that displays the light emission signal is more than the distance at which the approaching train can stop to the point where it obstructs the course of the train. It is defined that it should be installed at a position where it can be confirmed from a point (see Non-Patent Document 2). For this reason, railway operators have installed special signal light emitters so that the light emission signals can be confirmed at a point 800 m or more before the railroad crossing. 800 m is a distance obtained by adding a margin to the emergency braking distance from the maximum driving speed of the line section. That is, the confirmation distance of the special signal light emitter is set to 800 m or more.

  Conventionally, inspections of special signal light emitters have been carried out by placing workers on a railroad crossing and a confirmation point away from the railroad crossing. In this inspection, a worker on the level crossing side operates the level crossing trouble notification device to actually emit the special signal light emitter, and a worker on the confirmation point side confirms the light emission of the special signal light emitter.

  When there is a curved section in front of the railroad crossing, the light emission of the special signal light emitter may be blocked by buildings along the line, overpasses, utility poles beside the track, etc. Since conventional lines have many curved sections, there are many railroad crossings where a confirmation distance of 800 m or more cannot be secured with one special signal light emitter provided on the railroad crossing. In such a level crossing, in order to secure a confirmation distance of 800 m or more, a special signal light emitter is provided not only on the level crossing but also on the side of the track on the near side (front side for the train). Yes.

  The confirmation distance of the special signal light emitter is a distance from the position where the light emission of the special signal light emitter can be confirmed without interruption to the special signal light emitter (see number 1006 of Non-Patent Document 1). For example, when a plurality of special signal light emitters are provided, even if the total confirmation distance of each special signal light emitter is 800 m or more, the special signal light emitter emits light within a distance range within 800 m before the railroad crossing. If there is a point that cannot be confirmed, the confirmation distance will not be more than 800m. For this reason, in the inspection of the special signal light emitter, the worker on the confirmation point side confirms the light emission of the special signal light emitter at many confirmation points while moving on foot. Also, in order to avoid as much as possible the result of the inspection depending on the subjectivity of the worker, the inspection of the special signal light emitter is carefully performed. For this reason, the conventional inspection of special signal light emitters is very time consuming and takes about 15 minutes per level crossing.

JP 2003-182576 A

JIS B 3013: 2001 "Railway signal security terminology" "Interpretation standards for ministerial ordinances that establish technical standards for railways"

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent individual differences among workers in the inspection result in the inspection of the special signal light emitter and to shorten the time required for the inspection.

  A special signal light emitter inspection apparatus of the present invention is for inspecting a special signal light emitter in a railway, and includes an imaging unit that acquires image data, and a position information acquisition unit that acquires positional information of the imaging unit. A storage unit in which position information of a confirmation point in the inspection of the special signal light emitter is stored in advance, and a processing unit that processes the image data and the position information, and the imaging unit moves at least while moving along a trajectory. The image data is acquired at the confirmation point, and the processing unit performs image processing for recognizing the light emission of the special signal light emitter in the image data acquired by the imaging unit at the confirmation point, and the light emission of the special signal light emitter is performed. It is characterized by determining whether at least one is recognized.

  The special signal light emitter inspection apparatus includes a display unit that displays the output of the processing unit, and the storage unit further stores a distance along a trajectory from the special signal light emitter for each confirmation point. The processing unit preferably displays, on the display unit, information including the distance stored in the storage unit, the result of the determination, and the image data acquired by the imaging unit for each confirmation point. .

  In this special signal light emitter inspection device, the processing unit preferably stores the information to be displayed on the display unit in the storage unit.

  In this special signal light emitter inspection apparatus, the imaging unit acquires image data substantially continuously while being moved along a trajectory, and the processing unit emits a special signal emission in the image data acquired by the imaging unit. It is preferable to have a continuous visual inspection function for detecting that the determination result that no light emission from the machine has been recognized continues for a predetermined time or more.

  In this special signal light emitter inspection device, the storage unit stores in advance position information for pairing, one of the paired points is on a railroad crossing, and the other is a distance along the track from the railroad crossing. Is a point where the value is a predetermined value, and the processing unit preferably enables the continuous visual inspection function when the imaging unit is between the paired points.

  In this special signal light emitter inspection device, it is preferably mounted on a railroad vehicle, and the imaging unit acquires image data of the front or rear of the railroad vehicle.

  The track-and-rail vehicle of this invention has the said special signal light-emitting machine test | inspection apparatus.

  According to the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus and the rail car of the present invention, since the processing unit performs image processing for recognizing the light emission of the special signal light emitter, it is possible to prevent individual differences among workers in the inspection result. Since the time for the worker to recognize the light emission of the special signal light emitter is not required, the time required for the inspection is shortened.

The block block diagram of the special signal light-emitting machine test | inspection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The side view of the track-and-rail vehicle which has the special signal light-emitting machine inspection apparatus. The figure explaining the test | inspection of the special signal light emitter using the same special signal light emitter test | inspection apparatus. The flowchart explaining the basic operation | movement of the special signal light emitter test | inspection apparatus. The flowchart explaining the continuous visual inspection function of the special signal light-emitting device inspection apparatus.

  A special signal light emitter inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The special signal light emitter inspection apparatus is an apparatus for inspecting a special signal light emitter in a railway. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 includes an imaging unit 2, a position information acquisition unit 3, and a control device 4. The control device 4 includes a storage unit 41, a processing unit 42, a display unit 43, and an input unit 44. The imaging unit 2 acquires image data. The position information acquisition unit 3 acquires position information of the imaging unit 2. The position of the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 is represented by the position of the imaging unit 2. The storage unit 41 stores in advance position information of a confirmation point in the inspection of the special signal light emitter. The processing unit 42 processes image data and position information. The imaging unit 2 acquires image data at least at a confirmation point while being moved along the trajectory. The processing unit 42 performs image processing for recognizing light emission of the special signal light emitter in the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2, and determines whether at least one light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized.

  Each configuration of the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 will be described in further detail. The imaging unit 2 is a camera having an imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS, and outputs digital image data. In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 2 is a network camera, acquires a moving image, that is, image data at a predetermined short time interval, and transmits the image data to the control device 4 wirelessly. The acquired image data is input to the processing unit 42.

  The position information acquisition unit 3 has a GPS receiver, receives radio waves from GPS satellites, and acquires position information. In the present embodiment, the accuracy of the position information acquired by the GPS receiver is about 20 cm. The position information acquisition unit 3 has a distance / speed sensor in addition to the GPS receiver. When the radio wave from the GPS satellite cannot be received because it is blocked by a building or the like, the position information acquisition unit 3 detects the moving speed and integrates the moving speed over time. The distance is calculated and the position information is updated. The position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 3 is input to the processing unit 42.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 4 is a notebook personal computer. The storage unit 41 is a hard disk or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. The processing unit 42 includes a CPU and the like, and operates by executing a program. The display unit 43 is a visual display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays the output of the processing unit 42. The input unit 44 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, and receives an input operation to the processing unit 42. A touch panel may also be used as the display unit 43 and the input unit 44. In addition, the control apparatus 4 is not limited to a notebook personal computer, For example, you may comprise with exclusive hardware.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 is mounted on the track and land vehicle 5. A track-and-rail vehicle is a track maintenance work vehicle that can travel on a track and on a general road (see number 518 of JIS E 1001: 2001 “Railway-Track Term”). In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 2 is installed in the passenger compartment of the railway vehicle 5 and acquires image data in front of the railway vehicle 5. The orientation of the imaging unit 2 is set so that the special signal light emitter is included in the imaging range of the imaging unit 2. It is desirable that the imaging unit 2 be installed so that the height from the track is about the height of the eyes of the driver who is on the train. In addition, the imaging unit 2 may be installed in the rear part of the railway vehicle 5, and the railway vehicle 5 may be configured to acquire image data behind the railway vehicle 5. In addition, the imaging unit 2 that acquires the front image data and the imaging unit 2 that acquires the rear image data are installed in the rail car 5, and one of the two imaging units 2 is selected and used. May be.

  For example, the rail car 5 travels on a general road to a railroad crossing, and is placed on the track R from the railroad crossing. The track-and-rail vehicle 5 of the present embodiment includes a truck 51 which is an automobile having a loading platform, and a truck 52 for track running. The carriage 52 has wheels 53 for running on the track. When the railcar 5 travels on a general road, the carriage 52 is placed on the loading platform of the truck 51 and travels as an automobile. When the railway vehicle 5 travels on the track R, the carriage 52 is placed on the track R, and the truck 51 is placed on the carriage 52. The orbital running wheel 53 (rear wheel) is driven by the wheel 54 (rear wheel) of the truck 51.

  The inspection of the special signal light emitter using the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a special signal light emitter S1 is provided on the railroad crossing C, and a special signal light emitter S2 is further provided on the front side of the train. In the actual inspection of special signal light emitters, the inspection method is the same regardless of whether one special signal light emitter or three or more special signal light emitters are provided.

  An operator W is placed on the railroad crossing C. The worker W causes the special signal light emitters S1 and S2 to emit light.

  The track car 5 on which the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 is mounted travels forward on the track R toward the railroad crossing C. When the rail car 5 travels on the track R, the imaging unit 2 of the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 moves along the track R. The imaging unit 2 captures image data while being moved. In addition, you may move the imaging part 2 by making the track-rail vehicle 5 drive backward in the direction away from the railroad crossing C.

  The confirmation point P for confirming the light emission of the special signal light emitter is determined according to the arrangement of the special signal light emitter. There is a confirmation point P farthest from the level crossing C at a point about 800 m away from the level crossing C. There are a plurality of confirmation points P at intervals of about 5 m from the farthest confirmation point P to the special signal light emitter S2. Similarly, there are a plurality of confirmation points P at intervals of about 5 m with respect to the special signal light emitter S1. The position information of the confirmation point P is stored in advance in the storage unit 41 of the special signal light emitter inspection device 1. When there are a plurality of confirmation points P, the position information of the confirmation points P is stored in the storage unit 41 in consideration of the order of confirming the light emission of the special signal light emitter. Since the imaging unit 2 acquires the moving image, that is, the image data at a short time interval while being moved along the trajectory R, the image data is also acquired at the confirmation point P. The special signal light emitter inspection device 1 may be configured such that the imaging unit 2 is a camera that acquires image data of a still image, and the control device 4 causes the imaging unit 2 to acquire image data at the confirmation point P. .

  FIG. 4 shows processing executed by the processing unit 42 in the inspection of the special signal light emitter using the special signal light emitter inspection device 1. This process is a process in the basic operation of the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1.

  First, the processing unit 42 reads position information of the first confirmation point from the storage unit 41 (step S101). Next, the processing unit 42 acquires the position information of the imaging unit 2 from the position information acquisition unit 3 (step S102). The processing unit 42 compares the position information of the imaging unit 2 with the position information of the confirmation point (step S103). When the position information of the imaging unit 2 does not match the position information of the confirmation point (NO in step S103), the processing unit 42 acquires the position information of the imaging unit 2 from the position information acquisition unit 3 (returns to step S102).

  When the position information of the imaging unit 2 matches the position information of the confirmation point (YES in step S103), the processing unit 42 performs image processing for recognizing the emission of the special signal light emitter in the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2. This is performed (step S104). The image processing performed by the processing unit 42 is, for example, pattern matching. The sensitivity with which the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 recognizes the light emission of the special signal light emitter is set to be equal to the sensitivity with which the driver visually recognizes the light emission of the special signal light emitter. The processing unit 42 determines whether at least one light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized by this image processing (step S105). When at least one light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized in the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2 (YES in step S105), the determination result at the confirmation point is acceptable (step S106). When no light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized in the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2 (NO in step S105), the determination result at the confirmation point is unacceptable (step S107).

  The distance D along the track from the special signal light emitter for each confirmation point P is stored in the storage unit 41 in advance (see FIG. 3). The processing unit 42 displays the distance D along the trajectory from the special signal light emitter at the confirmation point, and the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2 as a result of the determination on the display unit 43 (see FIG. 1). The processing unit 42 stores information to be displayed on the display unit 43 in the storage unit 41.

  If the confirmation point is not the last confirmation point in the inspection (NO in step S109 in FIG. 4), the processing unit 42 reads position information of the next confirmation point from the storage unit 41 (returns to step S101). If the confirmation point is the last confirmation point in the inspection (YES in step S109), the processing unit 42 ends the process.

  In the inspection of the special signal light emitter using the special signal light emitter inspection device 1, the confirmation point is, for example, a conventional inspection that does not use the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 in order to ensure consistency with the existing inspection results. It is the same as the confirmation point in. Since the interval between the confirmation points is as short as about 5 m, if the determination result is acceptable (step S106) at all the confirmation points in the distance range within 800 m before the railroad crossing, the special signal light emitter emits light in that distance range. It is considered that there is no point that cannot be recognized, and the inspection result is acceptable for the level crossing to be inspected.

  By using the special signal light emitter inspection device 1, the maximum value of the distance D along the track from the special signal light emitter when the light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized, that is, the line-of-sight distance can be measured. For this reason, the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 is also referred to as a “special signal light emitter line-of-sight measuring device”.

  The rail vehicle 5 equipped with the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 of the present embodiment travels on the track at a speed of about 20 km / h during the inspection. When the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 is used, the time required for the inspection is about 3 minutes per one level crossing, and is shortened to about 1/5 of the time required for the conventional inspection method.

  However, even if the interval between the confirmation points is short, since the confirmation points are discrete, there are points where the light emission of the special signal light emitter cannot be recognized other than the predetermined confirmation points in the distance range within 800 m before the railroad crossing. It cannot be said that there is no possibility. Although it is extremely rare that a point where the light emission of the special signal light emitter cannot be recognized other than the confirmation point due to a change in the environment along the line such as a tree or a building, it is theoretically possible.

  Therefore, the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 of the present embodiment has a continuous visual inspection function. The continuous visual inspection function is used while moving along the track.

  The imaging unit 2 acquires image data substantially continuously while being moved along the trajectory. For example, when the railway vehicle 5 equipped with the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 is run at 20 km / h and the imaging unit 2 acquires a moving image of 30 frames (30 fps) per second as image data, the image data is acquired. The interval to be performed is (20 × 1000/3600) × (1/30) ≈0.19 [m], which is substantially continuous (substantially continuous).

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the continuous visual inspection function is used (YES in step S201), the processing unit 42 recognizes the light emission of the special signal light emitter in the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2. Is performed (step S202). This image processing is real-time processing.

  The processing unit 42 causes the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 to output an alarm when a time during which no light emission from the special signal light emitter is recognized in the image data continues for a predetermined time or longer (YES in step S203). The predetermined time is set by correcting the difference between the train speed in the commercial operation and the moving speed in the inspection based on the time when the driver recognizes that the light emission of the special signal light emitter has disappeared. The alarm is a display on the display unit 43, a buzzer sound, or the like.

  When the time during which no light emission from the special signal light emitter is recognized in the image data continues for a predetermined time or longer, that is, when it is determined that the light emission from the special signal light emitter has disappeared, the processing unit 42 Save the image data in the storage unit. In the stored image data, a mark indicating an abnormality and a date and time are displayed. Note that the setting of the number of image data to be stored is not limited to 10 before and after.

  The start and end of use of such a continuous visual inspection function is performed in response to an operation of the input unit 44 or automatically. In the present embodiment, in order to automatically start use and end use of the continuous visual inspection function, the storage unit 41 stores in advance position information that makes a pair. One of the paired points is on the railroad crossing, and the other is a point where the distance along the trajectory from the railroad crossing is a predetermined value. This predetermined value may be just 800 m, or a margin may be added. The processing unit 42 enables the continuous visual inspection function when the imaging unit 2 is between the paired points.

  As described above, by using the special signal light emitter inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment for the inspection of the special signal light emitter, the processing unit 42 performs the image processing for recognizing the light emission of the special signal light emitter. Thus, the time required for the inspection is shortened since the time for the worker to recognize the light emission of the special signal light emitter is not required.

  The processing unit 42 displays, for each confirmation point, information including the distance along the trajectory from the special signal light emitter, the determination result of the light emission of the special signal light emitter, and the image data acquired by the imaging unit 2. Therefore, the worker can easily know the intermediate result and final result of the inspection. Further, since the distance along the trajectory from the special signal light emitter is displayed as the position of the confirmation point, it is easier for the worker to understand than the latitude and longitude.

  Since the processing unit 42 stores information to be displayed on the display unit in the storage unit, the worker can save the trouble of manually recording the information and use the information for analysis after the inspection is performed. Can do.

  The special signal light emitter inspection device 1 detects that the determination result that no light emission from the special signal light emitter is recognized in the image data acquired substantially continuously by the imaging unit 2 continues for a predetermined time or longer. Since it has an inspection function, it is possible to detect any point where the light emission of the special signal light emitter cannot be recognized other than the predetermined confirmation point.

  Since the processing unit 42 enables the continuous visual inspection function when the imaging unit 2 is between the pairs of points stored in the storage unit 41 in advance, the use of the continuous visual inspection function is automatically started and ended. can do.

  Since the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 is mounted on the railroad vehicle 5, the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 is carried to the railroad crossing by traveling on the general road of the railroad vehicle 5 and moves on the railroad by the line of the railroad vehicle 5 from the railroad crossing. be able to. Moreover, the imaging unit 2 can be easily installed so that the height from the track is about the level of the eyes of the driver who is on the train by installing the imaging unit 2 in the cabin of the track-and-rail vehicle 5. .

  In addition, this invention is not restricted to the structure of said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the summary of invention. For example, the special signal light emitter inspection device 1 is not limited to being mounted on the track-and-rail vehicle 5, and may be mounted on an automatic track bicycle (see, for example, JP-A-2006-31417).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Special signal light-emitting machine inspection apparatus 2 Imaging part 3 Position information acquisition part 41 Storage part 42 Processing part 43 Display part 5 Railroad vehicle C Railroad crossing road P Confirmation point R Orbit S1, S2 Special signal light emitter

Claims (7)

A special signal light emitter inspection device for inspecting a special signal light emitter in a railway,
An imaging unit for acquiring image data;
A position information acquisition unit that acquires position information of the imaging unit;
A storage unit in which position information of the confirmation point in the inspection of the special signal light emitter is stored in advance;
A processing unit for processing the image data and the position information,
The imaging unit acquires image data at least at the confirmation point while being moved along a trajectory,
The processing unit performs image processing for recognizing light emission of the special signal light emitter in the image data acquired by the imaging unit at the confirmation point, and determines whether at least one light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized. A special signal light emitter inspection device characterized by determining. A display unit for displaying the output of the processing unit;
The storage unit further stores a distance along a trajectory from the special signal light emitter for each confirmation point,
The processing unit displays, on the display unit, information including the distance stored in the storage unit, a result of the determination, and image data acquired by the imaging unit for each confirmation point. The special signal light emitter inspection device according to claim 1.   The special signal light emitter inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit stores the information to be displayed on the display unit in the storage unit. The imaging unit acquires image data substantially continuously while being moved along a trajectory,
The processing unit has a continuous visual inspection function for detecting that a determination result that no light emission of the special signal light emitter is recognized in the image data acquired by the imaging unit has continued for a predetermined time or more. The special signal light emitter inspection device according to claim 2 or 3. The storage unit stores in advance position information for a pair,
One of the paired points is on a railroad crossing, and the other is a point where a distance along the trajectory from the railroad crossing is a predetermined value,
The special signal light emitter inspection device according to claim 4, wherein the processing unit enables the continuous visual inspection function when the imaging unit is between the paired points. Mounted on a railroad vehicle,
6. The special signal light emitter inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging unit acquires image data of the front or rear of the railroad vehicle.   A track-and-rail vehicle having the special signal light emitter inspection device according to claim 6.

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