Method of regulating operations on a railroad track

Abstract

A system and device for communicating information to a train crew of a train is presented. The system links signals along the track directly to assorted operations centers for the transmission of customizable messages. The signal includes a plurality of light emitting diodes within a single flat screen. Information related to any of the following may be presented: wayside coloring patterns, track ownership, mileage indicators, radio communication information, track information, and a general message center. The screen is adjustable in its viewing patterns and may selectively adjust depending on the type of train approaching, the speed of approach, and current conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A signal for use along a railroad track to convey information to a train crew, comprising:
 a screen having a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to selectively illuminate, the screen being partitioned into one or more sections for the conveying of assorted information, including:
 a colored indicator section configured to display selected patterns of color; 
 a radio communication section configured to notify the train crew regarding how to reach a track owner; and 
 a message center configured to receive and display assorted messages pertinent to the train crew. 
   
     
     
         2 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the messages received by the message center are transmitted from at least one of the operations center and dispatcher. 
     
     
         3 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the radio communication section is configured to display the radio channel of at least one of the track owner and dispatcher. 
     
     
         4 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the radio communication section is configured to display the tone used to reach at least one of the track owner and dispatcher. 
     
     
         5 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the colored indicator section is configured to display one solid color. 
     
     
         6 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the colored indicator section is configured to display two selected groupings of colors. 
     
     
         7 . The signal of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a track identifier to identify the particular track being traveled on.   
     
     
         8 . The signal of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mileage indicator to locate the train crew on a particular track.   
     
     
         9 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the signal provides a train crew with the name of the track owner to contact. 
     
     
         10 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the signal provides the train crew location information and communication information for reaching the track owner. 
     
     
         11 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is configured to add and remove any of the sections temporarily. 
     
     
         12 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is configured to alternate the visual display of information as the train crew approaches in a train. 
     
     
         13 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a viewable screen dimension of at least four feet by two feet. 
     
     
         14 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the colored indicator section displays at least one of the direction and the speed to the train crew. 
     
     
         15 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the colored indicator section has a rectangular shape having a length to width dimension of 1 foot to 2 feet. 
     
     
         16 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the colored indicator section is configured to flash different colored lights having multiple colors from the group of: green, yellow, red, white and blue. 
     
     
         17 . The signal of  claim 1 , wherein the track identified by the track identifier corresponds to at least of the main track and a siding track.