Patent · US Expired

Railroad collision avoidance system and method for preventing train accidents

US6759948B2 · kind B2 · utility

84Cited by
24References
49Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 21, 2001
Grant dateJul 6, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L29/246
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A railroad collision avoidance system and method are disclosed that utilize impulse radio technology to effectively warn a person when there is a locomotive in their vicinity. In one embodiment, the railroad collision avoidance system includes a transmitting impulse radio unit coupled to a locomotive and a receiving impulse radio unit coupled to a vehicle. The transmitting impulse radio unit operates to transmit an impulse radio signal towards the vehicle when the locomotive is a predetermined distance from a railroad crossing. Upon receiving the impulse radio signal, the receiving impulse radio unit makes sure the person operating the vehicle is informed about the potentially dangerous situation. Several embodiments of the railroad collision avoidance system and method are disclosed all of which operate to warn a person when there is a locomotive in their vicinity.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.