Train safety system

Abstract

A method and system for assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew comprises generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, the GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems; monitoring the real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and generating alerts for the locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A safety system for a train having a locomotive operating crew, said system comprising:
 a database containing one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems;   a central server adapted to be at least intermittently coupled to said database to generate GPS-located critical information;   a GPS device on-board the train to monitor the real-time location of the train; and   a computer on-board the train and adapted to be at least intermittently coupled to said central server and said GPS device for executing an application utilizing said GPS-located critical information and said real-time location of the train, said application generates a braking curve with look ahead window, and further generates alerts for said locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information, the real time location of the train, and the look ahead window, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented;   wherein said system looks ahead to ensure there is sufficient braking time to meet future speed zones based on information generated by at least one of said application and said central server dependent upon type of equipment included in a consist.   
     
     
         23 . The safety system of  claim 22  which includes one or more network interfaces between said central server and said on-board computer for communications between said on-board computer and said central server to maintain the GPS-located critical information up to date. 
     
     
         24 . The safety system of  claim 22  in which said application identifies future speed zones for said train at each point along a predetermined route for the train based at least in part on said GPS-located critical information. 
     
     
         25 . The safety system of  claim 24  in which said future speed zones is combined with speed limits entered into said on-board computer by said crew, to establish an allowed speed at a selected GPS location. 
     
     
         26 . The safety system of  claim 24  in which said on-board computer receives information representing the actual speed of said train, and said application generates an alarm when there is insufficient braking time to meet future speed zones. 
     
     
         27 . The safety system of  claim 22  in which said on-board computer generates alarms when a railroad signal is passed without acceptable speed selections being made by said crew. 
     
     
         28 . The safety system of  claim 22  in which at least one of said application and said central server use dead reckoning to determine the real-time location of said train if said GPS device cannot determine the real-time location of said train. 
     
     
         29 . The safety system of  claim 22  in which at least one of said application and said central server is adapted to receive manual input of GPS-located critical information. 
     
     
         30 . The safety system of  claim 22  in which at least one of said application and said central server is adapted to receive input from a train dispatcher while the train is running. 
     
     
         31 . The safety system of  claim 30  in which said input comprises information sent over a radio or other communication means to said crew. 
     
     
         32 . A method of assisting the safe operation of a train adapted to be operated by a locomotive operating crew, said method comprising
 generating GPS-located critical information at a central location, said GPS-located critical information being based at least in part on one or more railroad maps and one or more train dispatcher information systems;   monitoring a real-time location of the train with a GPS device on-board the train; and   generating alerts for said locomotive operating crew based on the GPS-located critical information and the real time location of the train, so that the crew is alerted as to upcoming changes to be implemented;   wherein said method looks ahead to ensure there is sufficient braking time to meet future speed zones based on information generated by at least one of said application and said central server dependent upon type of equipment included in a consist.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  which includes maintaining the GPS-located critical information up to date with communications between said on-board computer and said central server to maintain 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  which includes identifying future speed zones for said train at each point along a predetermined route for the train based at least in part on said GPS-located critical information. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  which includes combining said future speed zones with speed limits entered into said on-board computer by said crew, to establish an allowed speed at a selected GPS location. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  in which said on-board computer receives information representing the actual speed of said train, and said application generates an alarm when there is insufficient braking time to meet future speed zones. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32  in which said on-board computer generates alarms when a railroad signal is passed without acceptable speed selections being made by said crew. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32  in which at least one of said application and said central server use dead reckoning to determine the real-time location of said train if said GPS device cannot determine the real-time location of said train. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32  in which at least one of said application and said central server receives manual input of GPS-located critical information. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32  in which at least one of said application and said central server receives input from a train dispatcher while the train is running. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  in which said input comprises information sent over a radio or other communication means to said crew.