WO2002055362A1 - Railway safety system - Google Patents

Railway safety system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002055362A1
WO2002055362A1 PCT/GB2002/000254 GB0200254W WO02055362A1 WO 2002055362 A1 WO2002055362 A1 WO 2002055362A1 GB 0200254 W GB0200254 W GB 0200254W WO 02055362 A1 WO02055362 A1 WO 02055362A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
train
track
successive
data
safety system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/000254
Other languages
French (fr)
Original Assignee
Forsythe, Wayne, Jeffrey
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Forsythe, Wayne, Jeffrey filed Critical Forsythe, Wayne, Jeffrey
Publication of WO2002055362A1 publication Critical patent/WO2002055362A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61L—GUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L23/00—Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains
    • B61L23/04—Control, warning or like safety means along the route or between vehicles or trains for monitoring the mechanical state of the route
    • B61L23/041—Obstacle detection

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a safety system for railway trains.
  • a safety system for a railway train comprising means for producing successive sets of data corresponding to successive real-time images of the track ahead of the train as the train advances along the track, a reference store holding sets of data corresponding to forward-view images of the track at successive positions along the track, and comparing means for comparing the data for successive real-time images with the data for successive pre-stored images for corresponding positions along the track, the comparing means being arranged to provide an alarm signal in the event of a discrepancy between any pair of compared images, indicative of an obstruction on the track ahead of the train.
  • the system may have a learning mode of operation, in which it captures data for successive images at successive positions along the track, as the train advances along the track in the absence of any obstruction, the successive sets of data being written into the reference store. Instead, a data file may be formed by a train advancing along the track, then copied onto any convenient medium for use in the safety system of other trains using the same track.
  • the data read out from the reference store, for each comparison step, must correspond to the actual position of the train at the time.
  • the reading out of data from the reference store may be controlled by any convenient means arranged to determine the position of the train at the corresponding instant of time: for example, this may be arranged to determine the distance that the train has travelled along the track from a predetermined or datum point, or it may comprise a global positioning system (GPS) .
  • GPS global positioning system
  • the sets of image data may be captured using a scanning device which directs a beam forwardly from the train and picks up reflections of the beam.
  • the beam is preferably scanned both horizontally and vertically and may perform a raster scan, in the same manner as the electron beam of a video camera.
  • the beam may be a light beam, preferably a laser beam, a radar beam or an ultrasound beam, for example.
  • FIGURE 1 is a side view of the driver's cab of a train fitted with a safety system in accordance with the present invention
  • FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a safety system in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGURE 3 is a view of a train, fitted with the safety system, approaching another train on the same track;
  • FIGURE 4 is a view of a train, fitted with the safety system, approaching an obstruction in the form of a landslip on the track.
  • the driver's cab of a train is fitted with a safety system in accordance with the present invention.
  • the system includes a scanning device 10 mounted to the front of the train and directing a beam forwardly and along the track ahead of the train.
  • the scanning device 10 is arranged to scan the beam horizontally and vertically and preferably performs a raster scan, in the manner of the electron beam of a television camera.
  • the safety system comprises a controller 12 for controlling the scanning operation of the scanning device 10.
  • the device 10 includes a receiver for responding to the reflected beam, to provide a corresponding electrical signal which is passed to an image capturing store 14. Each complete scan, or frame, is captured by the store 14, then the next scan is performed and overwritten into the store 14.
  • the system further comprises a reference store 16, which stores successive images, corresponding to successive scans made by a train previously travelling along the same track.
  • the safety system also comprises a comparator unit 18 for comparing data read out from the image capturing store 14 and from the reference store 16, respectively.
  • a positional unit 18 controls the reference store 18 to read out, from the store 18, data for successive images, corresponding to successive true positions of the train along the track: data for successive real-time images is read out from the image capturing store 14, for comparison (by unit 18) with the successive images read out from the reference store 16; each comparison step thus compares the data for a real-time image with data from the reference store corresponding to a pre- stored image of the same position along the track.
  • the two images which are thus compared should correspond. In the event, however, of an obstruction on the track, the two images will not correspond: the comparator 18 detects any substantial discrepancy between any pair of images which it compares, in order to actuate an alarm 20.
  • the safety system will detect the presence of an obstruction in the form of another train ahead of it on the same track.
  • the safety system will detect the presence of an obstruction in the form of a landslip across the track.

Landscapes

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

Abstract

A safety system for a railway train comprises means (10) for producing successive sets of data corresponding to successive real-time images of the track ahead of the train as the train advances along its track, and a reference store (16) holding sets of data corresponding to forward-view images of the track at successive points along it. Comparing means (18) compare the data for the successive real-time images with the data for successive pre-stored images for corresponding positions along the track, to provide an alarm signal in the event of any discrepancy between any pair of compared images, indicative of an obstruction ahead of the train.

Description

RAILWAY SAFETY SYSTEM
The present invention relates to a safety system for railway trains.
In the event that a railway line becomes obstructed, it is often difficult for the train driver to see the obstruction until the train is too close to the obstruction for the driver to take appropriate action.
I have now devised a system which provides for the automatic detection of an obstruction on the track ahead of a train. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a safety system for a railway train, the system comprising means for producing successive sets of data corresponding to successive real-time images of the track ahead of the train as the train advances along the track, a reference store holding sets of data corresponding to forward-view images of the track at successive positions along the track, and comparing means for comparing the data for successive real-time images with the data for successive pre-stored images for corresponding positions along the track, the comparing means being arranged to provide an alarm signal in the event of a discrepancy between any pair of compared images, indicative of an obstruction on the track ahead of the train.
The system may have a learning mode of operation, in which it captures data for successive images at successive positions along the track, as the train advances along the track in the absence of any obstruction, the successive sets of data being written into the reference store. Instead, a data file may be formed by a train advancing along the track, then copied onto any convenient medium for use in the safety system of other trains using the same track.
The data read out from the reference store, for each comparison step, must correspond to the actual position of the train at the time. The reading out of data from the reference store may be controlled by any convenient means arranged to determine the position of the train at the corresponding instant of time: for example, this may be arranged to determine the distance that the train has travelled along the track from a predetermined or datum point, or it may comprise a global positioning system (GPS) .
The sets of image data may be captured using a scanning device which directs a beam forwardly from the train and picks up reflections of the beam. The beam is preferably scanned both horizontally and vertically and may perform a raster scan, in the same manner as the electron beam of a video camera. The beam may be a light beam, preferably a laser beam, a radar beam or an ultrasound beam, for example.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 is a side view of the driver's cab of a train fitted with a safety system in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram of a safety system in accordance with the present invention;
FIGURE 3 is a view of a train, fitted with the safety system, approaching another train on the same track; and
FIGURE 4 is a view of a train, fitted with the safety system, approaching an obstruction in the form of a landslip on the track.
Referring to Figure 1, the driver's cab of a train is fitted with a safety system in accordance with the present invention. The system includes a scanning device 10 mounted to the front of the train and directing a beam forwardly and along the track ahead of the train. The scanning device 10 is arranged to scan the beam horizontally and vertically and preferably performs a raster scan, in the manner of the electron beam of a television camera.
As shown in Figure 2, the safety system comprises a controller 12 for controlling the scanning operation of the scanning device 10. The device 10 includes a receiver for responding to the reflected beam, to provide a corresponding electrical signal which is passed to an image capturing store 14. Each complete scan, or frame, is captured by the store 14, then the next scan is performed and overwritten into the store 14. The system further comprises a reference store 16, which stores successive images, corresponding to successive scans made by a train previously travelling along the same track.
The safety system also comprises a comparator unit 18 for comparing data read out from the image capturing store 14 and from the reference store 16, respectively. A positional unit 18 controls the reference store 18 to read out, from the store 18, data for successive images, corresponding to successive true positions of the train along the track: data for successive real-time images is read out from the image capturing store 14, for comparison (by unit 18) with the successive images read out from the reference store 16; each comparison step thus compares the data for a real-time image with data from the reference store corresponding to a pre- stored image of the same position along the track.
The two images which are thus compared (the real-time image and the pre-stored image) should correspond. In the event, however, of an obstruction on the track, the two images will not correspond: the comparator 18 detects any substantial discrepancy between any pair of images which it compares, in order to actuate an alarm 20.
By way of example, and as shown in Figure 3, the safety system will detect the presence of an obstruction in the form of another train ahead of it on the same track. As another example, and as shown in Figure 4, the safety system will detect the presence of an obstruction in the form of a landslip across the track.

Claims

Claims
1) A safety system for a railway train, the system comprising means for producing successive sets of data corresponding to successive real-time images of the track ahead of the train as the train advances along the track, a reference store holding sets of data corresponding to forward-view images of the track at successive positions along the track, and comparing means for comparing the data for successive real-time images with the data for successive pre-stored images for corresponding positions along the track, the comparing means being arranged to provide an alarm signal in the event of a discrepancy between any pair of compared images, indicative of an obstruction on the track ahead of the train.
2) A safety system as claimed in claim 1, having a learning mode of operation in which it captures data for successive images at successive positions of the train as it advances along its track in the absence of any obstruction, the successive sets of data being written into said reference store.
3) A safety system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the reading out of data from said reference store is controlled by means arranged to determine the position of the train at a corresponding instant of time.
4) A safety system as claimed in claim 3, in which said position-determining means is arranged to determine the distance travelled by the train along the track from a datum point.
5) A safety system as claimed in claim 3, in which said position-determining means comprises a global positioning system.
6) A safety system as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said means for producing successive sets of image data comprises a scanning device which directs a beam forwardly from the train and picks up reflections of the beam.
7) A safety system as claimed in claim 6, in which said scanning device scans said beam both horizontally and vertically.
PCT/GB2002/000254 2001-01-15 2002-01-15 Railway safety system WO2002055362A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0101066A GB2371617A (en) 2001-01-15 2001-01-15 Railway safety system for detecting track obstruction
GB0101066.9 2001-01-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002055362A1 true WO2002055362A1 (en) 2002-07-18

Family

ID=9906871

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/000254 WO2002055362A1 (en) 2001-01-15 2002-01-15 Railway safety system

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2371617A (en)
WO (1) WO2002055362A1 (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004026660A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-04-01 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Railway obstacle detection system and method
WO2004028881A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-04-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Sensor system and method for monitoring the travel path of a mobile unit
WO2005120924A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 Stratech Systems Limited Method and system for rail track scanning and foreign object detection
WO2009029051A1 (en) * 2007-08-24 2009-03-05 Stratech Systems Limited Runway surveillance system and method
KR101171282B1 (en) 2010-03-08 2012-08-07 김효상 Obstacle detecting system for train and method thereof
WO2014033087A2 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Surveillance of a railway track
WO2014182887A1 (en) * 2013-05-08 2014-11-13 International Electronic Machines Corporation Operations monitoring in an area
US9327743B2 (en) 2013-12-19 2016-05-03 Thales Canada Inc Guideway mounted vehicle localization system
US9387867B2 (en) 2013-12-19 2016-07-12 Thales Canada Inc Fusion sensor arrangement for guideway mounted vehicle and method of using the same
EP3808687A1 (en) * 2019-10-15 2021-04-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for monitoring the sate of a conveying system and conveying system with state monitoring
GB2604028A (en) * 2021-01-22 2022-08-24 4Tek Pty Ltd A sensor device for vehicles

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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GB2383310A (en) * 2001-12-19 2003-06-25 Boss Mfg Ltd Vehicle switching system control by external sensor
DE102007009772B4 (en) * 2007-02-27 2016-02-04 Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. Device and method for determining a track-selective location information

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JPS59156089A (en) * 1983-10-11 1984-09-05 Hitachi Ltd Obstacle detecting method for vehicle
DE19538022C1 (en) * 1995-10-12 1997-01-09 Schaltbau Ag Device for controlling a rail vehicle
DE19529986A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 1997-02-06 Siemens Ag Localisation method of rail-borne vehicles - involves registering total covered route from vehicle by means of radar or video recording
US6163755A (en) * 1996-02-27 2000-12-19 Thinkware Ltd. Obstacle detection system

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US6088468A (en) * 1995-05-17 2000-07-11 Hitachi Denshi Kabushiki Kaisha Method and apparatus for sensing object located within visual field of imaging device
DE19940350C2 (en) * 1999-08-25 2003-06-05 Deutsche Bahn Ag Method and arrangement for monitoring the contact wire of a route for electrically drivable rail vehicles

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JPS59156089A (en) * 1983-10-11 1984-09-05 Hitachi Ltd Obstacle detecting method for vehicle
DE19529986A1 (en) * 1995-08-04 1997-02-06 Siemens Ag Localisation method of rail-borne vehicles - involves registering total covered route from vehicle by means of radar or video recording
DE19538022C1 (en) * 1995-10-12 1997-01-09 Schaltbau Ag Device for controlling a rail vehicle
US6163755A (en) * 1996-02-27 2000-12-19 Thinkware Ltd. Obstacle detection system

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Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004026660A1 (en) * 2002-09-20 2004-04-01 Rosemount Aerospace Inc. Railway obstacle detection system and method
WO2004028881A1 (en) * 2002-09-23 2004-04-08 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Sensor system and method for monitoring the travel path of a mobile unit
US7999848B2 (en) 2004-06-11 2011-08-16 Stratech Systems Limited Method and system for rail track scanning and foreign object detection
WO2005120924A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2005-12-22 Stratech Systems Limited Method and system for rail track scanning and foreign object detection
US9483952B2 (en) 2007-08-24 2016-11-01 Stratech Systems Limited Runway surveillance system and method
WO2009029051A1 (en) * 2007-08-24 2009-03-05 Stratech Systems Limited Runway surveillance system and method
KR101171282B1 (en) 2010-03-08 2012-08-07 김효상 Obstacle detecting system for train and method thereof
WO2014033087A2 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-03-06 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Surveillance of a railway track
WO2014033087A3 (en) * 2012-08-31 2014-12-31 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Surveillance of a railway track
CN104583051A (en) * 2012-08-31 2015-04-29 西门子公司 Surveillance of a railway track
WO2014182887A1 (en) * 2013-05-08 2014-11-13 International Electronic Machines Corporation Operations monitoring in an area
US10597053B2 (en) 2013-05-08 2020-03-24 International Electronic Machines Corp. Operations monitoring in an area
US9327743B2 (en) 2013-12-19 2016-05-03 Thales Canada Inc Guideway mounted vehicle localization system
US9387867B2 (en) 2013-12-19 2016-07-12 Thales Canada Inc Fusion sensor arrangement for guideway mounted vehicle and method of using the same
EP3808687A1 (en) * 2019-10-15 2021-04-21 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Method for monitoring the sate of a conveying system and conveying system with state monitoring
GB2604028A (en) * 2021-01-22 2022-08-24 4Tek Pty Ltd A sensor device for vehicles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2371617A (en) 2002-07-31
GB0101066D0 (en) 2001-02-28

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