A Rail Crossover Control System

摘要

A rail crossover control system for a rail track section is disclosed. The rail track section has first and second rail tracks, a crossover track section extending between the first and second rail tracks, at least one first set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the first track or is diverted from the first track onto the crossover track section, and at least one second set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the second track or is diverted from the second track onto the crossover track section. The system comprises at least one interlocking control unit arranged to control the first and second sets of rail switches according to determined train routes, and an obstruction detector arranged to detect presence of an obstruction on the crossover track section and generate an obstruction signal when an obstruction is detected.

主权项

1. A rail crossover control system for a rail track section of a rail network, the rail track section having first and second rail tracks, a crossover track section extending between the first and second rail tracks, at least one first set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the first track or is diverted from the first track onto the crossover track section, and at least one second set of rail switches arranged to controllably determine whether a train continues on the second track or is diverted from the second track onto the crossover track section, the system comprising:
at least one interlocking control unit in cooperation with a train control system so as to control the first and second sets of rail switches according to determined train routes managed by the train control system; a maintenance control unit (MCU) disposed adjacent the rail track section and arranged to facilitate local control and monitoring of at least one set of rail switches when control of the at least one set of rail switches has been handed over from the train control system to the MCU; and an obstruction detector comprising at least two wheel sensors arranged to sense presence of a wheel on the crossover track section and generate an obstruction signal when each of the following is satisfied: the at least two wheel sensors sense the presence of a wheel; the at least one first set of rail switches is under the control of the MCU and inoperative; and the at least one second set of rail switches is operative; the interlocking control unit arranged to prevent trains from traveling over the at least one second set of operative rail switches when the obstruction signal is generated.