STC has received a US patent for its EMTRAC Rail Worker Notification system that helps railway maintenance workers track approaching trains.

The system also notifies operators when their train is approaching. It consists of on-board vehicle computer units and the personal notification devices carried by rail workers.

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In addition, wayside cabinets along the railway may be equipped with optional detection units to extend communications or enable real-time monitoring of vehicle and worker activity.

The EMTRAC system also includes setup software using, which administrative personnel will be able to use to configure the system according to specific agency requirements.

STC president Brad Cross said that worker alerts are delivered by a pulsed audio alarm, ultra-bright LED lights, and vibration.

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These alerts can be configured by rail agencies based on the urgency of various situations.

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"This EMTRAC feature makes the system more user-friendly because workers avoid alert fatigue, and they're also less likely to become complacent when alerts do occur."

Cross said: "Silent zones help reduce false alerts. This EMTRAC feature makes the system more user-friendly because workers avoid alert fatigue, and they're also less likely to become complacent when alerts do occur."

The system can also be set to alert rail workers prior to the estimated time of arrival of the trains at their location.

Cross further added: "Evaluations conducted by multiple light-rail agencies provided data to show that the EMTRAC Rail Worker Notification System outperforms the competition."

Field tests of the EMTRAC system confirmed that the system met agency-defined requirements at the railway locations for reliable positioning, as well as efficient alert communications.

Image: BART personnel were located at various points along the rail line to test the performance of the patented EMTRAC notification system. Photo: courtesy of PR Newswire Association LLC.