Method of Using Forward Scattered Field for Detecting Slow-Moving Objects at a Railway Crossing

Railway crossings are sources of increased danger for railway operation and road traffic. The efficiency of detecting low-observable targets at railway crossings can be significantly improved by using forward scatter radar (FSR) systems. This paper analyzes the potential characteristics and parameters of such systems as elements of railway crossing safety equipment. We consider a target detection method that determines the architecture of the antenna array, the probing signal parameters, and the algorithms for processing of the forward scatter signal using the FSR system of the railway crossing security equipment. We present the results of calculating the detection area of a forward scatter radar for a cube target and a motor vehicle, as well as the simulation analysis for the optimal signal processing algorithm. It is shown that the simultaneous use of two frequency ranges makes it possible to detect objects approaching the railway crossing and objects that stay in the vicinity of the railway tracks (stationary objects).