Trains could be prevented from going through red signals by a device being
patented by Intelligent Cab Systems of Kent (GB 2356277). British trains have an
automatic warning system that sounds an alarm if a driver passes a red or yellow
signal. It does not stop the train. The AWS is activated by a magnets in a box
beside the track. The new device superimposes an alternating magnetic field on
top of the fixed field of the existing magnets. This can encode a range of
specific messages from 鈥渃lear鈥 to 鈥渄anger鈥, and brakes the train if the driver
fails to act. The advantage of this system is that it can be bolted onto the
existing warning system without interfering with it.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Technology
We should decide how AI shapes the future, not tech firms
Comment
Technology
Quantum voting could make elections more secure
News
Technology
DeepMind AI gives an extra day of warning ahead of deadly cyclones
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles