Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic management system for railway crossing that is capable of streamlining process of managing traffic at railway crossing by monitoring train schedules and violations of traffic rules and accordingly issues penalties (e-challans) for preventing accidents, thereby ensuring safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles at railway crossings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Railway crossings are critical points of interaction between road traffic and rail traffic. They are prone to accidents due to the sudden arrival of trains, leading to potential collisions with vehicles or pedestrians that ignore warning signals or barriers. Conventional railway crossing systems rely on manual control or basic automatic signaling, which often fail to address all the complexities of modern traffic management. These traditional systems do not have the ability to handle situations like emergency vehicles stuck at the crossing, pedestrian trespassing, or vehicles ignoring signals, leading to delayed response times and increased risk of accidents.

[0003] With the advent of technological advancements in automation, wireless communication, real-time data processing, and artificial intelligence (AI), there is now an opportunity to enhance the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of railway crossing systems. However, most existing systems still suffer from limitations in their ability to integrate these technologies, leading to inefficiencies and a higher probability of human error. Emergency vehicles may become stuck behind barriers, leading to delays in response times. Conventional systems lack the ability to prioritize emergency vehicles or clear the crossing efficiently in such situations, potentially putting lives in danger.

[0004] US617925B1 discloses an intelligent intersection control system features an internal controller that receives digital messages containing detailed information items concerning, for example, the direction, speed, length and identity of a train. The controller generates appropriate commands that coordinate the functions of crossing safety devices. A controller is capable of receiving and using much more detailed train information than is possible with conventional warning systems. Railroad crossing warning features are capable of responding more flexibly to this more detailed train information. The controller also continuously adjusts the activation state for safety devices associated with the crossing. In particular embodiments, the control system provides and displays crossing status information including the amount of time remaining until a crossing is cleared of train traffic, the approach of a second train during blocking of the crossing by a first train, or a suggested alternate route for waiting road vehicles. The controller may also be used to actuate numerous standard crossing warning features, including crossing blocking arms, flashing lights, warning chimes and warning horn.

[0005] EP2311709A2 pertains to a level crossing system that will be used at the level crossings where the highways and railways intersect, ensuring that the traffic flow on the highway is cut off for a period that is equal to the time determined on the basis of the speed of the train (T), while at the same time the image of the level crossing is instantaneously recorded and relayed to the trains (T) within the range by means of wireless communication.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are available to control flow of traffic and pedestrians at railway crossings based on real-time conditions, such as train schedules, road traffic, or the presence of emergency vehicles. However, the available methods and systems do not fully integrate with modern wireless communication platforms or surveillance systems, limiting their ability to collect, process, and respond to data in real-time, making it harder to monitor and enforce traffic laws or identify violations at the crossing.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a system that requires to integrate real-time train schedule data, intelligent surveillance, and emergency vehicle management to overcome the limitations of traditional systems. In addition, the developed system also needs to be capable of automating the management of barriers, pedestrian safety, and vehicle traffic in real-time, offering a comprehensive solution to enhance safety and reduce accidents at railway crossings.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a system that is capable of preventing accidents and ensuring the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles at railway crossings.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that provides real-time monitoring of train schedules and management of the crossing using accurate time tracking.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a system that detects violations of traffic rules, such as trespassing by pedestrians or vehicles disobeying signals at the crossing, and issue penalties (e-challans), thereby ensuring rule enforcement at the crossing.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a system that detects when an emergency vehicle is stuck or delayed at the crossing, and automatically triggers a process to clear the railway crossing gates for the emergency vehicle, without endangering the safety of others.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a traffic management system for railway crossing that is capable of optimizing traffic management at railway crossings by tracking train schedules and detecting traffic rule violations, enabling issuance of electronic penalties (e-challans) to prevent accidents and guarantees the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a traffic management system for railway crossing, comprising a cuboidal body, which is designed to be placed over a ground surface in close proximity to a railway crossing and allows a concerned person to provide input commands about activating the system on a computing unit linked with the system with an user-interface, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module inbuilt in a microcontroller to track real-time of the trains, a telescopically operated rod arranged with a cuboidal unit installed over the body to get extend and position the cuboidal unit at a height, a pair of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights equipped with the cuboidal unit to emit a specific color light for informing pedestrians and drivers of vehicle on road across the railway crossing to get stop or pass the railway crossing.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed system further comprises of a motorized slider is configured with the body and equipped with multiple telescopically operated bars to move the platform towards the road for covering the road, a buzzer mounted on the unit in view of alerting the guard to stop detected trespass if the trespassing is detected by the imaging unit, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed over the unit to capture multiple high-resolution images of the road for monitoring an emergency vehicle stuck behind the platform when railway crossing is not allowed passage of train, an acoustic sensor installed on the unit to monitor sound level from railway tracks, an inbuilt internet module to access a cloud server to monitor contact details of owner of the vehicle for issuing e-challan for the vehicle and a battery is associated with the system to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein.

[0017] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a traffic management system for railway crossing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0022] The present invention relates to a traffic management system for railway crossing that is capable of improving railway crossing safety by streamlining traffic management, monitoring train schedules, and identifying traffic rule violations, allowing for issuance of e-challans to prevent accidents and ensure safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a traffic management system for railway crossing is illustrated, comprising a cuboidal body 101, a telescopically operated rod 102 installed on the body 101 and attached with a cuboidal unit 103 equipped with a pair of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights 104, a platform 105 configured with the body 101 via a motorized slider 106 and equipped with plurality of telescopically operated bars 107, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 mounted on the unit and a buzzer 109 mounted on the cuboidal unit 103.

[0024] The system disclosed herein, comprises of a cuboidal body 101, which serves as a main structure of the system and developed to be placed over a ground surface in close proximity to a railway crossing. The process begins, where a concerned person provides input commands over a computing unit of theirs, which is linked with the system wirelessly through a user-interface about activation of the system.

[0025] After receiving the concerned person’s commands, a microcontroller associated with the system, processes these commands and activates a communication module, which act as an interface between the computing unit and the communication module to access a server of railways for monitoring at which time of multiple trains passing through the railway crossing. The communication module includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module. After monitoring the schedule, the, the microcontroller activates an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module, which is integrated with microcontroller to track real-time of the trains.

[0026] The prior mentioned cuboidal body 101 installed with a telescopically operated rod 102 arranged with a cuboidal unit 103, wherein a pair of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights 104 equipped with the cuboidal unit 103. The microcontroller simultaneously actuates the rod 102 to get extend and position the cuboidal unit 103 at required height. The telescopic rod 102 as mentioned herein are powered by a pneumatic unit that utilizes compressed air to extend and retract the rod 102. The process begins with an air compressor which compresses atmospheric air to a higher pressure.

[0027] The air cylinder of the pneumatic unit contains a piston that moves back and forth within the cylinder. The cylinder is connected to one end of the telescopic rod 102. The piston is attached to the telescopically operated rod 102 and its movement is controlled by the flow of compressed air. To extend the telescopic rod 102 the piston activates the air valve to allow compressed air to flow into the chamber behind the piston. As the pressure increases in the chamber, the piston pushes the telescopic rod 102 to the desired length for positioning the cuboidal unit 103 at suitable height.

[0028] After positioning the cuboidal unit 103, the microcontroller actuates the LED lights 104 to alert pedestrians and drivers of vehicle on road across the railway crossing to get stop or pass the railway crossing by emitting a particular color of light. The LED work by utilizing a phenomenon called electroluminescence. When an electric current flows through the LED, it causes the electrons in the semiconductor material to release energy in the form of light, then the energy released corresponds to the different color of wavelength of the light.

[0029] As soon as the tracked time matches the schedule of trains, the microcontroller actuates a motorized slider 106 is configured with the body 101 and equipped with multiple telescopically operated bars 107 to move the platform 105 towards the road, which results in covering the road. The motorized sliding unit consists of a motor, and a rail unit integrated with ball bearings to allow smooth linear movement. As the motor rotates the rotational motion of the motor is converted into linear motion through a pair of belts and linkages.

[0030] This linear motion provides a stable track and allows the translation of the platform 105 for covering the road. Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates the bars 107 the get extend and prevent the pedestrian’s trespassing. The extension of the bar is powered by a pneumatic unit that utilizes the compressed air to extend and retract the bars 107 for mitigating the pedestrian to trespass.

[0031] In case any pedestrians’ trespassing on the platform 105 get detected by the microcontroller with the help of the imaging unit 108. The microcontroller accordingly actuates a buzzer 109 mounted on the unit in view of alerting the guard to stop detected trespass, which results in preventing any chances of the accidents.

[0032] Herein, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 installed over the unit to capture multiple high-resolution images of the road for monitoring an emergency vehicle, if it is stuck behind the platform 105 while railway crossing is crossed to allow passage of train. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 108 is constructed with a camera lens and a processor, wherein the camera lens is adapted to capture a series of images of the road. The processor carries out a sequence of image processing operations including pre-processing, feature extraction, and classification.

[0033] The image captured by the imaging unit 108 is real-time images of the road. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 108 transmits the captured image signal in the form of digital bits to the microcontroller. The microcontroller upon receiving the image signals compares the received image signal with the pre-fed data stored in a database and constantly determines emergency vehicle stuck behind the platform 105.

[0034] If the emergency vehicle is detected to be stuck, the microcontroller actuates an acoustic sensor installed on the unit to monitor sound level from railway tracks. The acoustic sensor detects sound level from railway track by capturing and analyzing sound waves. These sensors are designed to recognize specific acoustic signatures associated with railway track. The sensor consists of a microphone or an array of microphones to pick up the sounds emitted by the railway tracks.

[0035] The captured audio signals are then processed using artificial intelligence modules to distinguish background noise and insect generated sounds. The specific acoustic signatures are identified by the sensor’ module and analyzed by the microcontroller for detecting the sound level from railway tracks. Based on the detected sound, the microcontroller evaluates the distance of a train with respect to the railway crossing.

[0036] If the microcontroller detects that the distance rises above the predefined value, then the microcontroller accordingly actuates the slider 106 to move the rod 102 back. After pulling the rod 102 back, the microcontroller actuates the buzzer 109 to alert railway crossing guard for opening the gates, which is installed at the railway crossing to allow smooth passage of the emergency vehicle.

[0037] While the process if the microcontroller detects, that the driver of any vehicle not following any traffic rules at the railway crossing, then the microcontroller detects registration number of the vehicle with the help of the imaging unit 108 by capturing multiple images of the registration number of the vehicle.

[0038] After monitoring registration number of the vehicle, the microcontroller activates an inbuilt internet module to access a cloud server to monitor contact details of owner of the vehicle and accordingly generate e-challan for the vehicle over the registered contact number of the owner.

[0039] A battery is associated with the system to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrode named as a cathode and an anode. The battery uses a chemical reaction of oxidation/reduction to do work on charge and produce a voltage between their anode and cathode and thus produces electrical energy that is used to do work in the system.

[0040] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the cuboidal body 101 as disclosed in the invention is developed to be placed over the ground surface near to the railway crossing and allows the concerned person to provide input commands on the computing unit, then the RTC (Real-Time Clock) module tracks real-time of the trains and the telescopically operated rod 102 get extend and position the cuboidal unit 103 at the height. After positioning the cuboidal unit 103 at the height, the pair of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights 104 to emit the specific color light for informing pedestrians and drivers of vehicle on road across the railway crossing to get stop or pass the railway crossing, then the motorized slider 106 to move the platform 105 towards the road for covering the road and the bars 107 get extend for preventing trespassing of the pedestrians, the buzzer 109 for alerting the guard to stop detected trespass if the trespassing is detected by the imaging unit 108. The artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 captures multiple high-resolution images of the road for monitoring the emergency vehicle stuck behind the platform 105 when railway crossing is not allowed passage of train, the acoustic sensor monitors sound level from railway tracks, then the inbuilt internet module accesses the cloud server to monitor contact details of owner of the vehicle for issuing e-challan for the vehicle and the battery to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein.

[0041] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A traffic management system for railway crossing, comprising:

i) a cuboidal body 101 installed on a ground surface near a railway crossing, wherein a user-interface inbuilt in a computing unit is wirelessly associated with said system for enabling a concerned person to give input commands for activation of said system;
ii) a microcontroller wirelessly linked with said computing unit that processes said input commands and activates a communication module integrated within said microcontroller for accessing a server of railways to determine schedule of different trains passing through said railway crossing, wherein said microcontroller activates an RTC (Real-Time Clock) module integrated within said microcontroller for keeping an accurate track on real-time;
iii) a telescopically operated rod 102 installed on said body 101 and attached with a cuboidal unit 103 equipped with a pair of LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights 104 that is actuated by said microcontroller to extend for positioning said cuboidal unit 103 at a suitable height, wherein based on said tracked time and time schedule of said trains, said microcontroller directs said LED lights 104 to emit a specific color for notifying pedestrians and drivers of vehicle on road across said railway crossing to stop or pass said railway crossing;
iv) a platform 105 configured with said body 101 via a motorized slider 106 and equipped with plurality of telescopically operated bars 107, wherein as soon as said tracked time duration matches said schedule of trains, said microcontroller actuates said slider 106 to translate for covering said road, followed by actuation of said bars 107 to extend to prevent trespassing by pedestrian;
v) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 paired with a processor mounted on said unit for capturing and processing multiple images of said road, respectively, for detecting an emergency vehicle stuck behind said platform 105 when railway crossing is crossed to allow passage of train; and
vi) an acoustic sensor configured on said unit that is activated by said microcontroller, in case of detection of said emergency vehicle, for detecting sound level from railway tracks, based on which said microcontroller determines distance of a train from said railway crossing, wherein in case said detected distance exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said slider 106 to translate back said rod 102 and activates a buzzer 109 mounted on said unit for notifying railway crossing guard to raise the gates installed at said railway crossing to allow passage of said emergency vehicle.

2) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller via said imaging unit 108 detects trespassing of said platform 105 by pedestrians, said microcontroller activates said buzzer 109 for notifying said guard to stop trespassing to prevent any chances of accidents.

3) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller via said imaging unit 108 detects driver of any vehicle disobeying traffic rules at said railway crossing, said microcontroller via said imaging unit 108 detects registration number of said vehicle.

4) The system as claimed in claim 1 and 3, wherein upon detecting registration number of said vehicle, said microcontroller activates an inbuilt internet module for accessing a cloud server for determining contact details of owner of said vehicle, and issues an e-challan against said vehicle which is sent on registered contact number of said owner.

5) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said computing unit via said communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module.

6) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically operated rod 102 and telescopically operated bars 107 are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said rod 102 and bars 107.

7) The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said system for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said system.