An Innovative Cost-Effective Active Warning System for Improved Safety at Rural Railroad Crossings

More than 60% of U.S. highway-railroad crossing accident fatalities occur at passive rural railroad crossings. Federal and State highway authorities are searching for effective, safe and low-cost active signal devices for these crossings. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that it would cost more than $14 billion to upgrade all passive grade crossings with conventional active railroad crossing signal systems. Several solutions have been proposed and tested, but none have satisfied federal and railroad signal standards for vital railroad signal devices. Central Signal, LLC, provides signal services to shortline and regional railroads, and is acutely aware of the need. Central Signals preliminary efforts to design a low-cost active warning system benefits from more than 25 years of railroad signal experience. Phase I work proved the feasibility of active magnetometers for railroad environments (patents pending). The Phase II research will produce a prototype of a vital, low-cost, effective and reliable crossing signal system by incorporating anisotropic magneto-resistive sensors, reliable low-cost, low power spread spectrum radios, a vital processing unit and photovoltaic or primary battery power systems. This project will result in an innovative, vital technology that will enable federal, state agencies and railroads to install active warning devices at rural grade crossings, saving human lives and reducing serious injuries. A vital low-cost active crossing system will stimulate competition among rail signal suppliers, create manufacturing and service jobs and enhance quality of rural life while promoting public interest by developing a vital, lowcost crossing system and reducing community spending.