Alternative Rail Intruder and Obstacle Detection Systems

Since the mid-1990s, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has sponsored a research program on alternative detection technologies for railroad right-of-way (ROW) and highway-rail grade crossing applications. In support of this effort, the John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center) of the U.S. DOT Research and Innovative Technology Administration has assessed the potential applicability of various technologies, tested prototype systems, and maintained a publicprivate partnership program to disseminate information. The application of non-track circuit-based technologies for train, highway vehicle, and intrusion/obstacle detection would improve the safety of rail operations and passengers and road users. These technologies would also protect the general population and environment from the risks associated with hazardous material shipments and help relieve congestion by reducing the number of incidents and delays due to those incidents.