Railroad crossing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a railroad crossing ( 2 ). The railroad crossing ( 2 ) includes a railroad ( 4 ) along which a train can travel. The railroad crossing ( 2 ) further includes a road ( 6 ) extending across the railroad ( 4 ) and along which a vehicle or automobile can travel. The road ( 6 ) includes a curved approach ( 8 ) to the railroad ( 4 ). The curved approach ( 8 ) is effective in encouraging a reduction in speed of the vehicle without seriously disrupting vehicle traffic flow. The railroad crossing ( 2 ) further includes a movable vehicle impact barrier ( 10 ) which can prevent the vehicle from crossing the railroad ( 4 ). The road ( 6 ) may include two separated traffic lanes ( 16 a, 16 b ) in which vehicles travel in opposite directions, and this separation of the lanes ( 16 ) deters the vehicle from being driven from one lane 16 a and into the other lane ( 16 b ) in an attempt to circumvent the barrier ( 10 ).

1 . A railroad crossing including:
 a railroad along which a train can travel;   a road crossing the railroad and along which a vehicle can travel, the road including a curved approach to the railroad which encourages a reduction in speed of the vehicle; and   a movable vehicle impact barrier for impeding the vehicle from crossing the railroad.   
     
     
         2 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a speed arrestor bed for retarding the speed of the vehicle entering the arrestor bed from the curved approach. 
     
     
         3 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the vehicle impact barrier is arranged to deflect or guide the vehicle from the approach and into the arrestor bed. 
     
     
         4 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 2 , further including a wall adjacent the arrestor bed. 
     
     
         5 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the wall includes a cushion to facilitate cushioning of the vehicle upon impact with the wall. 
     
     
         6 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the arrestor bed includes a pit filled with sand, gravel or like loose aggregate, the pit increasing in depth away from the curved approach. 
     
     
         7 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 2 , further including an access road extending adjacent the arrestor bed. 
     
     
         8 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 2 , further including a brightly painted road interconnection for interconnecting the curved approach and the arrestor bed. 
     
     
         9 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier includes a pivotally mounted flipper which is able to pivot horizontally. 
     
     
         10 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the barrier further includes a locking mechanism for locking a free end of the flipper. 
     
     
         11 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the barrier includes any one of retractable bollards, a gantry to which an impact gate is pivotally mounted, a pivotally mounted gate forming part of the road, and a pair of double gates. 
     
     
         12 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the approach includes a curved wall with visible markings to facilitate visual detection of the approach. 
     
     
         13 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the wall includes a concrete backing and cushion mounted to the backing to facilitate cushioning of the vehicle upon impact. 
     
     
         14 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the road includes two separated traffic lanes in which vehicles travel in opposite directions, one of the lanes including the approach which curves away from the other lane. 
     
     
         15 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the other lane includes another curved approach to the railroad. 
     
     
         16 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the approach is generally s-shaped and the crossing further includes a roundabout. 
     
     
         17 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a control system for controlling the vehicle barrier, the control system including:
 a train sensor for sensing the train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad; and   a controller for controlling the barrier to impede the vehicle from crossing the railroad subsequent to sensing the train approaching the railroad crossing.   
     
     
         18 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 17 , further including a boom gate for extending across the road prior to the vehicle impact barrier, the boom gate being actuated by the controller responsive to sensing the train approaching the railroad crossing. 
     
     
         19 . A railroad crossing as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the control system further includes an electronic display for displaying a warning message to the vehicle. 
     
     
         20 . A vehicle impact barrier for a railroad crossing, the barrier including a cantilevered arm which can pivot horizontally. 
     
     
         21 . A railroad crossing including:
 a railroad along which a train can travel;   a road crossing the railroad and along which a vehicle can travel, the road including a curved approach to the railroad which encourages a reduction in speed of the vehicle; and   a speed arrestor bed for retarding the speed of the vehicle entering the arrestor bed from the curved approach.   
     
     
         22 . A method for displaying a warning message to a vehicle approaching a railroad crossing, the railroad crossing including a railroad along which a train can travel and a road crossing the railroad and along which the vehicle can travel, the method including the steps of :
 sensing the train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad;   sensing the vehicle approaching the railroad crossing along the road; and   displaying the warning message to the vehicle subsequent to sensing both the train and the vehicle.   
     
     
         23 . A system for a railroad crossing, the railroad crossing including a railroad along which a train can travel and a road crossing the railroad and along which the vehicle can travel, the system configured to:
 sense the train approaching the railroad crossing along the railroad;   sense the vehicle approaching the railroad crossing along the road; and   display a warning message to the vehicle subsequent to sensing both the train and the vehicle.