Design and implementation of automatic smart railway gate system with dashboard and entry warning system.

Abstract

In rapidly developing countries like the United States of America, India, and others, Railways play a crucial role as a primary mode of transportation. However, the level crossing gates within the railway sector have been a cause of concern due to poor human monitoring, resulting in a growing number of accidents. Safety at level crossings has been a concern for Ugandan citizens and the government of Uganda as many accidents have occurred, claiming many lives and causing delays for cargo and the train itself. Currently, the safety precautions at Uganda railway level crossings are signposts, manual barriers (gates), hooting, and flashlights. Still, these methods have significant limitations, which make them unsuitable for that purpose. This research aims to address this issue by proposing an automatic railway gate system to replace the gatekeepers. The automatic system not only reduces the time required for gate closure but also minimizes human involvement. A mini prototype model was developed to streamline the operation of the level crossing gate. A sensor was securely placed near the level crossing gate at a specific distance from the railway track. The sensor detects the vibrations produced by the approaching train and sends signal pulses to the controller, situated at the level crossing column setup. The controller then activates the motor, automatically opening and closing the gate. Design calculations were visualized to support the development of this setup. Implementing this idea would effectively mitigate accidents in unmanned areas, thereby preserving precious human lives. Adding more features such as real-time video monitoring, automatic train scheduling, and an emergency response system would improve the functionality and efficiency of the automatic smart railway gate system with a dashboard and an entry warning system.