Modules and Results

 Module 1: Gate closing

When foreside sensor gets activated, interrupt is sent to the microcontroller the microcontroller then instructs the gate motor to be turned on in clockwise direction and the gate is closed, the motor is stopped by limiting switch and stays closed until the train crosses. When the foreside sensor is interrupted the same time the buzzer and traffic signal for the road users sets on.
Result: buzzer starts ringing and red light will glow in traffic signal to control traffic.

Module 2: Gate opening

 

 After the train passes through the gate and reaches aft side sensors. The aft side sensor gets activated and sends signal to MC which indicates the motor to turn in anti-clockwise direction and gate opens and motor stops.
After the aft-side sensor is activated the MC stops the buzzer and turns the traffic signal light to green.

 Result: buzzer stops and green light will glow in traffic signal.

 Discussion for Module 1 & 2The idea of using magnetic sensors was caught when we happened to see a project on Automatic Weigh bridge, in which one of their module was to detect a non-vehicle object (ex:cow) so they had used magnetic sensors to distinguish the vehicles from non-vehicular objects. So modified the concept and used it in our module.

 Module 3
Track Switching Part 1

 

Using the same principle as that for gate control, we have developed a concept of automatic track switching. Considering a situation where in an express train and a local train are traveling in opposite directions on the same track; the express train is allowed to travel on the same track and the local train has to switch on to the other track. Indicator lights have been provided to avoid collisions .Here the switching operation is performed using a DC motor. In practical purposes this can be achieved using electromagnets.
                            Consider a situation where in an express train and a local train are traveling in opposite directions on the same track; the express train is allowed to travel on the same track and the local train has to switch on to the other track. Two sensors are placed at the either sides of the junction where the track switches. If there’s a train approaching from the other side, then another sensor placed along that direction gets activated and will send an interrupt to the controller. The interrupt service routine switches the track. Signal light for train 2 is turned red. Here the switching operation is performed using a DC motor.

Result: red light will switch on at the train signal to stop train 2 and track switching will take place.

Module 4: Track Switching Part 2

 After the Train1 passes on to the switched track the Train1 is detected by a sensor on the switched track. The DC motor rotates in anti-clockwise direction and the track switches back to normal and the train signal turns green. The train passes on the other track.
Result: green light will switch on at the train signal post and track switches back to its normal state and both the trains do not collide and move in separate tracks.




Discussion for Module 3 and Module 4In these modules we faced difficulty of making the track switch to the appropriate amount by the motor, we thought of using a higher powered motor but then we happened to notice one of our partners playing with the rubber band which reminded us of its elasticity property. So, we used the band to make out track switch to the precise amount,