Method & appatatus for autonomous train control system

Abstract

A method and a structure for an Autonomous Train Control System (ATCS) are disclosed, and are based on a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other. An autonomous train control element operates within an allocated track space, and based on predefined rules. Further, autonomous train control elements are paired together to exchange operational data. Pursuant to the predefined rules, an autonomous train control element acquires needed track space from a paired element, and relinquishes track space that is not required for its autonomous operation to a paired element. Further, an autonomous train control element is assigned a priority level with respect to the acquisition/relinquishment of track space.

1 . An on-board vehicle protection system that includes at least one of communication equipment, navigation equipment and collision avoidance equipment, wherein a vehicle communicates with a grade crossing controller that provides protection, at a grade intersection, for trains operating on railroad tracks and vehicles operating on motorways, wherein upon a determination that there are no trains on or approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller sends an enabling signal to the vehicle that it is safe to proceed through the intersection, wherein upon receiving said signal, the on-board collision avoidance equipment permits the vehicle to move over the tracks through the grade intersection. 
     
     
         2 . An on-board vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the grade crossing controller is an autonomous element in a train control system that includes a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other, wherein an autonomous train control element has allocated track space and wherein the grade crossing control element can assign its allocated track space to either physical trains or road vehicles. 
     
     
         3 . An on-board vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the grade crossing controller inhibits the transmission of the enabling signal to the vehicle upon assigning its allocated track space to physical trains approaching the intersection, and wherein upon losing the enabling signal, the on-board collision avoidance equipment prevents the vehicle from moving through the intersection. 
     
     
         4 . An on-board vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 2 , wherein upon detecting a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller activates grade crossing protection devices that include at least one of flashing lights and crossing gates. 
     
     
         5 . A vehicle protection system that protects vehicles at grade crossings comprising:
 a grade crossing controller that provides safe operation of trains and vehicles at an intersection of railroad tracks and motorways, wherein the grade crossing controller communicates with both trains and vehicles approaching the intersection, wherein in the absence of trains approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller transmits an enabling signal to vehicles approaching the intersection indicating that it is safe to move through the intersection, and wherein upon detecting a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller inhibits the transmission of the enabling signal, and an on-board vehicle protection system that includes at least one of communication equipment, navigation equipment and collision avoidance equipment, wherein upon losing the enabling signal, the on-board collision avoidance equipment prevents the vehicle from moving through the intersection.   
     
     
         6 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the grade crossing controller is an autonomous element in a train control system that includes a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other, wherein an autonomous train control element has allocated track space and wherein the grade crossing control element can assign its allocated track space to at least one of physical trains and road vehicles. 
     
     
         7 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein upon detecting a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller activates grade crossing protection devices that include at least one of flashing lights and crossing gates. 
     
     
         8 . A vehicle protection system that protects vehicles at grade crossings comprising:
 a grade crossing controller that provides safe operation of trains and vehicles at an intersection of railroad tracks and motorways, wherein the grade crossing controller communicates with trains approaching the intersection, wherein upon the detection of a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller communicates with an intelligent transportation system to stop all vehicle traffic through the intersection, and an intelligent transportation system that controls traffic light signals in the approach to the intersection, wherein upon receiving communication from the grade crossing controller, the intelligent transportation system will cause the traffic light signals to display a stop aspect.   
     
     
         9 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the grade crossing controller is an autonomous element in a train control system that includes a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other, wherein an autonomous train control element has allocated track space and wherein the grade crossing control element can assign its allocated track space to an approaching train to enable the train to proceed through the intersection. 
     
     
         10 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the grade crossing controller normally holds the track space at the intersection to allow vehicle traffic to proceed through the intersection, and wherein the grade crossing controller relinquishes the track space at the intersection to approaching trains to enable them to proceed through the intersection. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 8 , wherein upon detecting a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller activates grade crossing protection devices that include at least one of flashing lights and crossing gates. 
     
     
         12 . A method for a vehicle protection system that protects vehicles at an intersection of railroad tracks and motorways, wherein vehicles are equipped with at least one of communication equipment, navigation equipment and collision avoidance equipment, wherein a grade crossing controller provides safe operation for trains and vehicles at the intersection, wherein the grade crossing controller communicates with both trains and vehicles approaching the intersection, wherein the grade crossing controller includes a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program to control the operation of the grade crossing controller, comprising the following steps:
 transmits an enabling signal to vehicles approaching the intersection in the absence of trains approaching the intersection,   upon detecting a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller inhibits the transmission of the enabling signal to vehicles,   upon losing the enabling signal, the collision avoidance equipment on-board a vehicle prevents the vehicle from moving through the intersection.   
     
     
         13 . A method for a vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the grade crossing controller is an autonomous element in a train control system that includes a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other, wherein an autonomous train control element has allocated track space and wherein the grade crossing control element can assign its allocated track space to either physical trains or road vehicles. 
     
     
         14 . A method for a vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein upon detecting a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller activates grade crossing protection devices that include at least one of flashing lights and crossing gates. 
     
     
         15 . A method for a vehicle protection system that protects vehicles at an intersection of railroad tracks and motorways, wherein a grade crossing controller provides safe operation for trains and vehicles at the intersection, wherein the grade crossing controller communicates with trains approaching the intersection, wherein the grade crossing controller communicates with an intelligent transportation system, wherein the intelligent transportation system controls the movement of vehicle traffic through the intersection using roadway traffic signals, wherein the grade crossing controller controls grade crossing protection devices that include at least one of flashing lights and crossing gates, wherein the grade crossing controller includes a processor module with a computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program to control the operation of the grade crossing controller, comprising the following steps:
 upon receiving a communication from a train approaching the intersection, the grade crossing controller sends a request to the intelligent transportation system to stop all vehicle traffic approaching the intersection by activating the stop aspects at the traffic signals,   upon receiving confirmation that traffic signals are displaying a stop aspect, the grade crossing controller activates the grade crossing protection devices, and   upon receiving confirmation that the grade crossing protection devices have been activated, the grade crossing controller enables the approaching train to proceed through the intersection.   
     
     
         16 . A method for a vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the grade crossing controller is an autonomous element in a train control system that includes a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other, wherein an autonomous train control element has allocated track space and wherein the grade crossing control element can assign its allocated track space to a train approaching the intersection in order to enable the train to proceed through the intersection. 
     
     
         17 . A vehicle protection system that protects vehicles at grade crossings, which includes a grade crossing controller that provides safe operation of trains and vehicles at an intersection of railroad tracks and motorways, wherein the grade crossing controller communicates with trains approaching the intersection, wherein the grade crossing controller controls a physical grade crossing installation that includes at least one of flashing lights and crossing gates and wherein the grade crossing controller is implemented in a cloud computing environment. 
     
     
         18 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the physical grade crossing installation communicates with an intelligent transportation system to coordinate roadway vehicle traffic with rail traffic in order to provide the safe operation of trains and vehicles at the intersection. 
     
     
         19 . A vehicle protection system as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the grade crossing controller is an autonomous element in a train control system that includes a plurality of autonomous train control elements that operate independent of each other, wherein an autonomous train control element has allocated track space and wherein the grade crossing control element can assign its allocated track space to a train approaching the intersection to enable the train to proceed through the intersection.