초록 ▼

Safe separation distances between automatically controlled vehicles moving at short headways on a guideway are maintained through the cooperative action of a block control system and reflectometer (radar) and transponder (beacon) intervehicle distance measuring equipment installed in vehicles. A ref

Safe separation distances between automatically controlled vehicles moving at short headways on a guideway are maintained through the cooperative action of a block control system and reflectometer (radar) and transponder (beacon) intervehicle distance measuring equipment installed in vehicles. A reflectometer determines distance to a leading vehicle through measurement of the delay between a transmitted signal and a received signal relayed by a transponder in the leading vehicle. A transmission line acts as the medium of transmission. Problems associated with non-transponder-equipped reflectometers are obviated. In the event of transponder malfunction, the block control system maintains backup safety regardless of transponder activity in other vehicles. Exessively short block lengths generally required for short-headway maintenance by block control systems are not required. Merge protection is effected through the cooperative action of the block control system and stationary reflectometers, installed at the wayside, which measure distances to merging vehicles through interaction with transponders located in the vehicles.

대표청구항 ▼

A collision avoidance system, for vehicles operating over a right of way, comprising: block control means that register vehicle occupancy of a plurality of zones along the right of way and impose revocable restrictions on the operation of a trailing vehicle in a selected number of zones behind a zon

A collision avoidance system, for vehicles operating over a right of way, comprising: block control means that register vehicle occupancy of a plurality of zones along the right of way and impose revocable restrictions on the operation of a trailing vehicle in a selected number of zones behind a zone occupied by a leading vehicle to protect said trailing vehicle against collision with said leading vehicle; vehicle control means to measure the distance between said trailing vehicle and said leading vehicle, and further comprising means to restrict the operation of said trailing vehicle in accordance with the measured distance between said trailing vehicle and said leading vehicle to protect said trailing vehicle against collision with said leading vehicle; means to revoke said revocable restrictions imposed by said block control means with respect to operation of said trailing vehicle when said trailing vehicle is protected against collision in accordance with said measured distance between said trailing vehicle and said leading vehicle, said vehicle control means located in each said vehicle remaining continuously invoked.