Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes identifying, by an image detection tool, a tank within an image of a railway environment and identifying, by the image detection tool, a railroad track within the image of the railway environment. The method also includes determining, by the image detection tool, a distance between the tank and the railroad track and comparing, by the image detection tool, the distance between the tank and the railroad track to a predetermined threshold distance. The method further includes determining, by the image detection tool, that the tank presents a hazard to the railway environment in response to comparing the distance between the tank and the railroad track to the predetermined threshold distance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes generating a first visual representation of a location of a railroad station in relation to a railroad track, receiving a request for a first maintenance window, and determining that the first maintenance window is associated with the railroad station. The method further includes determining a first time period and generating a second visual representation of information associated with the railroad station during the first time period. The information includes an indication of a time that a train is scheduled to cross the railroad station during the time period. The information also includes an indication of a time duration for a second maintenance window that has been requested during the time period.

Abstract: A system and method for managing data lifecycles that can provide an adaptable data management system configured to optimize the lifecycles of data and the reliability of databases. The system can provide data management systems with the ability to attach, detach, and drop segments of data based on key partitions of the data objects to optimize database utilization. By including the key partitions to the data objects, the database including the data objects can now perform data management operations based on the key partitions. The system, based on the key partitions, can identify a location of the data object to attach row entries, detach row entries from the existing tables, and delete the detached row entries from the database altogether. The system can operate on any relational database management system.

Abstract: A method of railroad track control includes partitioning a physical track block into a plurality of virtual track blocks, the physical track block defined by first and second insulated joints disposed at corresponding first and second ends of a length of railroad track. The presence of an electrical circuit discontinuity in one of the plurality of virtual track blocks; is detected and in response a corresponding virtual track block position code indicating the presence of the discontinuity in the one of the plurality of virtual track blocks is generated.

Abstract: A system and method for performing root cause analysis for enforcement events is presented. The system can enable accurate detection of an enforcement event and identifies the root cause of such events. The system can enable accurate detection of the enforcement event and identifies the root cause of such events using an automation workflow engine. The system can perform root cause analysis based on at least one analysis model. The system can provide a user with an interface to monitor the enforcement event by collecting a list of data points characterizing the enforcement event, as well as analyze the data points to evaluate what is the root cause of the enforcement event.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating a machine vision system on the undercarriage of a rail vehicle while the rail vehicle is in the field is presented. The system enables operators to calibrate the machine vision system without having to remove the machine vision system from the undercarriage of the rail vehicle. The system can capture, by a camera of an image capturing module, a first image of a target. The image capturing module and a drum can be attached to a fixture and the target can be attached to the drum. The system can also determine a number of lateral pixels in a lateral pitch distance of the image of the target, determining a lateral object pixel size based on the number of lateral pixels, and determining a drum encoder rate based on the lateral object pixel size. The drum encoder rate can be programmed into a drum encoder.

Abstract: A wedge driver and method therefor is presented. A wedge driver can be operably coupled to different ends of a link joiner to drive a wedge therebetween to form a single link. The wedge driver can also drive the wedge out of the link joiner. The present disclosure provides the benefit of allowing the safe and effective removal of the link joiner by preventing violent or forceful decoupling of a link joiner. The wedge driver can include a trunk, a first prong, a second prong, a bolt, and a driver. The driver can be spring enabled, such that the driver can recede into the trunk as the bolt egresses the trunk. A bolt of the wedge driver can push a driver out of the trunk to axially drive the wedge into (or out of) a link joiner without rotating the wedge.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selection of a control speed for a remote-controlled vehicle based on rulesets applied to control nodes within a viewing window. In embodiments, a viewing window including control nodes, each having a having ruleset defining operating conditions associated therewith, may be determined. The ruleset for a control node may define operating limitations (e.g., speed limitations, orientation limitations, etc.) at the control node. In embodiments, a control speed plan for the viewing window may be generated based on the operating conditions for each control node within the current viewing window based on the limitations associated with each control node. The control speed plan may include an optimal control speed at each control node within the viewing window and a speed profile indicating an acceleration or deceleration curve to be followed through each of the optimal control speeds in the control speed plan when executing the control speed plan.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an image generated by a camera associated with a vehicle. The image includes a point of interest (POI) associated with a physical object. The method also includes determining a number of pixels from the POI of the image to an edge of the image. The edge of the image represents a location of the camera. The method further includes determining an offset distance from the POI to a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit associated with the vehicle using the number of pixels.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, by an object reconstruction module, a first image and a second image. The first image includes a first region of an object and the second image comprises a second region of the object. The method also includes identifying, by the object reconstruction module, a transitional image. The transitional image includes the first region of the object and the second region of the object. The method further includes determining, by the object reconstruction module, that the first region of the object in the transitional image and the first region of the object in the first image are equivalent regions and generating, by the object reconstruction module, a reconstruction of the object using the first image and the transitional image. The reconstruction of the object includes the first region of the object and the second region of the object and excludes equivalent regions.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a roadway by comparing captured images to image inconsistencies caused by lost or unnecessary motion and for minimizing lost or unnecessary motion of an axle of a vehicle and filtering erroneous pulses of an electrical signal to generate a trigger signal to capture images is presented. The system enables the minimization of image artifacts causing distortion in an image. The system can take images of a target, compute an object pixel size of the image to ensure calibration of longitudinal measurements, and calibrate the rotary encoder with the camera of the machine vision system. The system can enable calibration of the locomotive components in the field to compensate for the misalignment of the machine vision system and provide safe travels.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a virtual approach signal restriction upgrade between physical signaling components is presented. In one embodiment, in a CTC type of operation, the use of a virtual signal with signal type functionality to split a block into two or more sections can allow a train currently governed by an approach indication to accelerate on a clear indication if the advance signal indication upgrades. The addition of audio frequency type circuits with the advance signal indication can allow a train to upgrade from a restricting indication to an approach or clear indication, while protecting open HT switches, broken rail, hazards, and follow up moves. The present invention provides a system for allowing trains to upgrade from a “restricting” indication to an “approach” or “clear and accelerate” indication with an upgraded PTC track line for the segment.

Abstract: A drill jig apparatus configured to be coupled to a locomotive bedplate is presented. The apparatus can include a first member and a second member. The first member can be configured to attach a drill to provide stability while drilling, and the second member can be operably coupled to a locomotive, such as to an engine and bedplate of a locomotive. An engine dowel drilling system is also presented, which can include a drill jig member and a bushing member, and the members can be operably coupled with one another. A method of drilling holes in a locomotive bedplate can include using a drill jig and a bushing to facilitate drilling, and the drill jig can be a conductor-side jig or an engineer-side jig. A kit is also presented for engine dowel installation that can standardize dowels and dowel holes.

Abstract: A system and method for simulating positive train control (PTC) systems in a local and controlled environment using software and hardware. The system can simulate various functionalities of the PTC system in the environment using software and hardware components. The system can instruct the software of a train management computer (TMC) to control electromechanical valves to simulate air compression on brake pipes in response to the PTC system executing a penalty on the locomotive. The system can display statuses of various systems on the locomotive to a user using a cab display unit (CDU). The system can control the software and hardware components to simulate warnings and actions from the PTC system allowing locomotive engineers and conductors to experience the PTC system for optimum training.

Abstract: A railroad wheel impact load detection test panel includes a secondary instrumentation rail proximate a field side of a primary or running rail of a section of railroad track, and elevated a prescribed distance so that the wheels of a rail car traverse the instrumentation rail within the test panel. The instrumentation rail includes an optical strain gauge to sense the wheel impact load. The sensed impact data is correlated with wheel damage signatures to identify wheels to be restored or replaced before failure occurs.

Abstract: A system for modeling risk of rail buckling in railroad infrastructure is presented. The system can receive a myriad of data related to railroad tracks and/or railroad operations, and weight the data using specially-designed weighting factors that can be unique to each data type. The weighted data can be transformed via specialized algorithms to generate location scores reflective of a risk isolated to a particular area. The system can further utilize additional specialized algorithms to elucidate how such isolated risk can be extrapolated from one location to another. The system can implement a multilayer approach, formulating one or more layers of risk models and aggregating such models into an overarching risk model that can more-accurately forecast risk of rail buckling in a railroad track.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a probe includes a first facet associated with a first pressure port operable to measure a first wind pressure, a second facet associated with a second pressure port operable to measure a second wind pressure, and a third facet associated with a third pressure port operable to measure a third wind pressure. The second facet is adjacent to the first facet and the third facet adjacent to the second facet. The probe further includes a fourth facet adjacent to the third facet and a fifth facet adjacent to the fourth facet and to the first facet. The first facet, the second facet, the third facet, the fourth facet, and the fifth facet are located between a first end portion and a second end portion of the probe.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by an auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power input sources from a plurality of power input sources. The method also includes determining, by the auxiliary power controller, a first selection of one or more power consuming devices from a plurality of power consuming devices. The method further includes managing, by the auxiliary power controller, transfer of auxiliary power from the first selection of the one or more power input sources to the first selection of the one or more power consuming devices.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing safety hazards along a railroad track by optimizing visual railroad inspection frequency based on acquired data relating to railroad safety maintenance. The system and method can provide various rating systems for the railroad assets to optimize railroad inspections by focusing the inspections to railroad assets experiencing suboptimal conditions. The ratings of the railroad assets are based on various data collected from physical factors impacting the life of the railroad assets, such as an amount of rainfall, locomotive weight and frequency of passing, and manually detected defects. The system and method can focus the railroad inspection efforts to the railroad assets requiring increased attention in response to the suboptimal conditions. The focused inspections can result in longer lifespan of the railroad assets, efficient inspections, and safer railroads.

Abstract: A system and method for performing root cause analysis for enforcement events is presented. The system can enable accurate detection of an enforcement event and identifies the root cause of such events. The system can enable accurate detection of the enforcement event and identifies the root cause of such events using an automation workflow engine. The system can perform root cause analysis based on at least one analysis model. The system can provide a user with an interface to monitor the enforcement event by collecting a list of data points characterizing the enforcement event, as well as analyze the data points to evaluate what is the root cause of the enforcement event.