US 11,987,278 B2
Redundant, self-deterministic, failsafe sensor systems and methods for railroad crossing and adjacent signalized intersection vehicular traffic control preemption
Thomas N. Hilleary, Lenexa, KS (US)
Assigned to The Island Radar Company, Olathe, KS (US)
Filed by THE ISLAND RADAR COMPANY, Olathe, KS (US)
Filed on Apr. 5, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/222,096.
Application 17/222,096 is a continuation of application No. 15/983,618, filed on May 18, 2018, granted, now 10,967,894.
Application 15/983,618 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/944,349, filed on Nov. 18, 2015, granted, now 10,665,118.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/515,166, filed on Jun. 5, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/081,717, filed on Nov. 19, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2021/0221415 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. B61L 27/53 (2022.01); B61L 29/28 (2006.01); B61L 29/30 (2006.01); G01S 7/40 (2006.01); G01S 13/62 (2006.01); G01S 13/87 (2006.01); G01S 13/88 (2006.01); G01S 13/931 (2020.01); G01S 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC B61L 27/53 (2022.01) [B61L 29/28 (2013.01); B61L 29/30 (2013.01); G01S 7/40 (2013.01); G01S 13/62 (2013.01); G01S 13/87 (2013.01); G01S 13/88 (2013.01); G01S 13/931 (2013.01); G01S 13/0209 (2013.01); G01S 2013/9328 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A redundant sensor system for ensuring safe and efficient traffic flow through a predetermined safety zone that is operable with a normal traffic flow routine, the redundant sensor system comprising:
a first radar sensor and a second radar sensor located at a first location on a first side of the predetermined safety zone, the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor being independently operable from one another at the first location;
wherein each of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor are operable in combination at the first location to detect and confirm a presence and speed of a first traffic object advancing toward the predetermined safety zone; and
a controller configured to:
receive a continuous output from each of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor;
continuously determine, according to the received continuous output from each of the first radar sensor and the second radar sensor, a presence and a non-presence of the first traffic object at the first location; and
when the presence of the first traffic object is detected at the first location and based upon the detected speed of the first object, issue a traffic flow preemption instruction to interrupt the normal traffic flow routine for the predetermined safety zone.