A low cost and wireless ‘Railway

Level Crossing Warning’ solution

Problem Definition.
The Goal is to solve the Problem of warning to drivers in advance to take precautions when they are
approaching a level crossing (also called a grade crossing, a railway crossing, or a railroad crossing).

Why it is required?
Objective.
Avoid accidents due to the occupancy level crossing for vehicles that have been stopped on the rail
road.
System Design

Solution will be based on geolocation (in real-time) of all parts of the system and sending
notifications drivers and infrastructure managers.

1. Level Crossing Facilities

2. Vehicles
3. Trains
4. Infrastructure Manager
Typical Rail crossing implementation.
(1) Train Detection system

An on-board GPS tracker device fixed in the train shall be used to track the real-time location of the
trains. When a train is detected signals from the GPS units are received by the Network’s Alert Device
control software. This then activates the active warning systems in that network.

(2) ACTIVE WIG-WAGS

These units are comprised of red flashing warning signals and a wireless repeater. They can either be
retrofitted to existing ‘passive’ signs (e.g. Give Way and Stop signs), or supplied as complete units
with signs for new Wig-wags. They are installed at the railway crossings and are solar powered. These
shall be activated as per the proximity of the advancing Train to the level crossing.

(3) ACTIVE Warning notification to the drivers

As per the signals received by the GPS trackers fixed in trains, the Network's alert device control
software will send text notifications and will update the navigation maps such as google maps to
prompt about the advancing train which is about to pass through the level crossing to the drivers
who are in the warning zone. This warning zone also will be identified using the GPS data.
(4) IN-ROAD ALERT BEACONS

These optional units are self-contained amber flashing in-road lights. They are installed, as required, in the road
on the approaches to the railway crossing, starting at the position of 20 m away and ending at the railway
crossing.

These will be activated by the signals receiving from Network's alert device control software.

(5) Network's alert device control software.

This is the main software which will collect data about the geolocations of the trains, drivers in close proximity
to the level crossings, etc. This will be communicating with the GSM networks to provide text messages to the
drivers’ mobile phones as well as with the navigation software such as google maps or etc to prompt
notifications to its users.