Answers.Body: <p>As you suspected, you cannot use the Ultrasonic sensor without an "Intelligent Brick" (<a href="http://shop.lego.com/en-US/EV3-Intelligent-Brick-45500" rel="nofollow">EV3</a> or <a href="http://shop.lego.com/en-US/NXT-Intelligent-Brick-9841" rel="nofollow">NXT</a>). MINDSTROMS would be a great way to automate your train if you are willing to make the investment.</p>
  
  <p>For more ideas on how to use LEGO MINDSTORMS with LEGO trains, check out <a href="http://siouxnetontrack.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow">Sioux.NET</a>.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-10-05T04:22:26.110Z
Answers.Text: Thank you! I appreciate my question being answered and you have contributed to my LEGO City layout!
Answers.UserDisplayName: Taylor Garrett
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2014-10-04T01:30:01.787Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2014-10-04T01:30:01.787Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: David Lechner
Body: <p>I was looking at LEGO NXT components, and I found the ultrasonic sensor. I was wondering that if I put off to the side of the track, the nose of my train would activate the sensor, thus operating the servo and closing the gate?... I have already prepared my crossing with a gate attached to a 12 stud axle. At the end of the axle pointing away from the track, a servo would  move the axle at about 45 degrees. Is this possible or are there any alternatives that would work better? I'm not sure if my idea has been attempted before with Power Functions tracks. Also note that I am using a 32x32 base plate. I am hoping that I won't have to use a Mindstorms control panel (I'm not entirely sure what they're called) because they are so expensive.</p>
  
Tags: <nxt><trains><sensor-ultrasonic>
Title: Is it possible to use a LEGO NXT ultrasonic sensor for a LEGO train crossing?
UserDisplayName: Taylor Garrett
ThreadText: # Is it possible to use a LEGO NXT ultrasonic sensor for a LEGO train crossing?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-03)
  
  I was looking at LEGO NXT components, and I found the ultrasonic sensor. I was wondering that if I put off to the side of the track, the nose of my train would activate the sensor, thus operating the servo and closing the gate?... I have already prepared my crossing with a gate attached to a 12 stud axle. At the end of the axle pointing away from the track, a servo would move the axle at about 45 degrees. Is this possible or are there any alternatives that would work better? I'm not sure if my idea has been attempted before with Power Functions tracks. Also note that I am using a 32x32 base plate. I am hoping that I won't have to use a Mindstorms control panel (I'm not entirely sure what they're called) because they are so expensive.
  
  **Tags:** nxt, trains, sensor-ultrasonic
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2014-10-04. Score: 1
  
  As you suspected, you cannot use the Ultrasonic sensor without an "Intelligent Brick" ([EV3](http://shop.lego.com/en-US/EV3-Intelligent-Brick-45500) or [NXT](http://shop.lego.com/en-US/NXT-Intelligent-Brick-9841)). MINDSTROMS would be a great way to automate your train if you are willing to make the investment.
  
  For more ideas on how to use LEGO MINDSTORMS with LEGO trains, check out [Sioux.NET](http://siouxnetontrack.wordpress.com/).
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Thank you! I appreciate my question being answered and you have contributed to my LEGO City layout!  
  
  ---
  
  