A worker protection system may include a train-mounted unit for use on a train, and one or more wayside units, configured for placement on or near a track traversed by the train. Each of the train-mounted unit and the one or more wayside units may include a corresponding communication component, with one or more antennas, configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals, with the signals comprise ultra-wideband (UWB) signals, and one or more circuits configured for processing signals and data, and for performing applications or functions relating to operations of the corresponding unit. The train-mounted unit may operate cooperatively with the one or more wayside units, to provide alerts to one or more workers operating on or near the track, based on communication of the UWB signals with at least one of the one or more wayside units.