Abstract: A system and method for examining a route and/or vehicle system obtain a route parameter and/or a vehicle parameter from discrete examinations of the route and/or the vehicle system. The route parameter is indicative of a health of the route over which the vehicle system travels. The vehicle parameter is indicative of a health of the vehicle system. The discrete examinations of the route and/or the vehicle system are separated from each other by location and/or time. The route parameter and/or the vehicle parameter are examined to determine whether the route and/or the vehicle system is damaged and, responsive to determining that the route and/or the vehicle is damaged, the route and/or the vehicle system are continually monitored, such as by examination equipment onboard the vehicle system.

Abstract: A camera system and method capture image data with a camera, a data storage device electrically connected to the camera and configured to store the video data and/or a communication device electrically connected to the camera and configured to communicate the image data to a system receiver located remote from the camera. The system receiver may be located onboard a vehicle such that an operator can carry the camera off board the vehicle and communicate the image data back to the vehicle, when performing, for example, work on the vehicle or inspecting the vehicle or the environs of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle control system controls operation of motors of a vehicle and determines whether there is sufficient stored electric energy to power the vehicle through an unpowered segment of a route. The controller changes operation of the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle can travel completely through the unpowered segment by switching which energy storage device provides energy, changing vehicle speed, changing motor torque, changing which route is traveled on, selecting fewer motors to power the vehicle, requesting rendezvous with a recharging vehicle, running the energy storage devices in a degraded mode, initiating a motor to generate power to aid in propulsion and/or recharge the energy storage devices, selecting a different route, controlling the vehicle to draft or mechanically couple to another vehicle, and/or controlling the vehicle to gain momentum or to generate an overcharge.

Abstract: An aerial system and method use a distance sensor to measure spatial distances between the distance sensor and plural vehicles in a vehicle system formed from the vehicles operably coupled with each other during relative movement between the distance sensor and the vehicle system. The spatial distances measured by the distance sensor are used to determine a size parameter of the vehicle system based on the spatial distances that are measured.

Abstract: An aerial camera system includes an aerial device disposed onboard a non-aerial vehicle as the non-aerial vehicle moves along a route. The aerial device also can be configured to fly above the route during movement of the vehicle along the route. The camera unit is configured to be disposed onboard the aerial device and to generate image data during flight of the aerial device. The one or more image analysis processors are configured to examine the image data and to identify a hazard disposed ahead of the non-aerial vehicle along a direction of travel of the non-aerial vehicle based on the image data. A method for identifying route-related hazards using image data obtained from a camera unit on an aerial device.

Abstract: A system for operating a train having one or more locomotive consists with each locomotive consist comprising one or more locomotives, the system including a locator element to determine a location of the train, a track characterization element to provide information about a track, a sensor for measuring an operating condition of the locomotive consist, a processor operable to receive information from the locator element, the track characterizing element, and the sensor, and an algorithm embodied within the processor having access to the information to create a trip plan that optimizes performance of the locomotive consist in accordance with one or more operational criteria for the train.

Abstract: A method for vehicle control comprises determining a braking capability of a braking system of a vehicle, and modifying application of at least one control parameter by a control system of the vehicle based on the determined braking capability. Braking capability may be determined by activating the braking system of the vehicle to apply a braking force on the vehicle, and concurrently, applying a level of tractive effort of the vehicle that is sufficient to overcome the braking force. The braking capability is determined based on the level of tractive effort.

Abstract: A control system includes a controller and an energy management system. The controller is onboard a vehicle that includes motors and an onboard energy storage device that powers the motors. The energy management system calculates estimated electric loads of powering the motors over one or more segments of a trip according to designated operational settings of a trip plan. The energy management system also determines a demanded amount of electric energy for powering the vehicle based on the estimated electric loads. The demanded amount of electric energy is based on a stored amount of electric energy in the onboard storage device. The energy management system communicates the demanded amount of electric energy to one or more of plural wayside stations disposed along the route so that the wayside stations have sufficient electric energy to charge the onboard energy storage device with the electric energy to meet the estimated electric loads.

Abstract: A method for communicating operational information for a mission plan to an operator of a powered system, the method including collecting information specific to a mission plan, verifying information specific to the mission, and/or accepting information specific to the mission. The powered system is allowed to be autonomously controlled. A system and a computer software code are also disclosed for communicating operational information for a mission plan to an operator of a powered system.

Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling a braking effort of a braking system in a powered system. The powered system travels along a route. The control system includes a controller coupled to the braking system, where the controller is configured to monitor the braking effort of the braking system at a braking region along the route. The controller is further configured to control the braking effort at the braking region, such that the braking effort approaches within a predetermined range of a braking effort threshold, but does not exceed the braking effort threshold. A method is also provided for controlling a braking effort of a braking system in a powered system.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an alarm state from one or more inspection systems that inspects one or more components of a vehicle system. The method then identifies operational parameters of the vehicle system. The operational parameters represent at least one of a current location of the vehicle system, a current terrain over which the vehicle system is currently travelling, an upcoming terrain that the vehicle system is travelling toward, a current moving speed of the vehicle system, a position of one or more controls of the vehicle system, a state of a brake of the vehicle system or an identification of one or more vehicle units in the vehicle system. The method then selects and implements a mitigating action to implement from plural different mitigating actions based on the alarm state and the one or more parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A communication system includes a router transceiver unit and a bandwidth module. The router transceiver unit includes a network adapter module and a signal modulator module. The network adapter module is configured to receive high bandwidth network data from one or more data sources disposed on board a vehicle. The signal modulator module is configured for electrical connection to a wired connection, and to convert the high bandwidth network data into modulated network data in a form suitable for transmission over the wired connection. The bandwidth module is configured to allocate different portions of a data communication bandwidth of the wired connection to the modulated network data. The allocation is based on categories representing at least one of the one or more data sources or contents of the high bandwidth network data.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein relate to indicating a repair to perform on an asset based on historic data related to a repair on the asset and/or sensor data associated with the asset. An evaluate component aggregates information related an asset such as a repair performed or data from a sensor. A repair evaluation component indicates a repair to perform on the asset based on at least one of the data from the sensor or the information related to the asset. By utilizing asset-specific information and historical data, repair schedules for assets can be more accurate and thereby reducing untimely repairs.

Abstract: A method for determining the configuration of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the method including a step for determining a minimum power required from the diesel powered system in order to accomplish a specified mission, and a step for determining an operating condition of the diesel-fueled power generating unit such that the minimum power requirement is satisfied while yielding at least one of lower fuel consumption and lower emissions for the diesel powered system.

Abstract: An aerial system and method use a distance sensor to measure spatial distances between the distance sensor and plural vehicles in a vehicle system formed from the vehicles operably coupled with each other during relative movement between the distance sensor and the vehicle system. The spatial distances measured by the distance sensor are used to determine a size parameter of the vehicle system based on the spatial distances that are measured.

Abstract: A system and method for examining a route and/or vehicle system obtain a route parameter and/or a vehicle parameter from discrete examinations of the route and/or the vehicle system. The route parameter is indicative of a health of the route over which the vehicle system travels. The vehicle parameter is indicative of a health of the vehicle system. The discrete examinations of the route and/or the vehicle system are separated from each other by location and/or time. The route parameter and/or the vehicle parameter are examined to determine whether the route and/or the vehicle system is damaged and, responsive to determining that the route and/or the vehicle is damaged, the route and/or the vehicle system are continually monitored, such as by examination equipment onboard the vehicle system.

Abstract: A method for vehicle control comprises determining a braking capability of a braking system of a vehicle, and modifying application of at least one control parameter by a control system of the vehicle based on the determined braking capability. Braking capability may be determined by activating the braking system of the vehicle to apply a braking force on the vehicle, and concurrently, applying a level of tractive effort of the vehicle that is sufficient to overcome the braking force. The braking capability is determined based on the level of tractive effort.

Abstract: A system for controlling a railroad train over a segment of track. The system comprises a first element for determining a location of the train on the segment of track; a second element for providing track characterization information for the segment of track; the track characterization information related to physical conditions of the segment of track; and a processor for controlling applied tractive forces and braking forces of the train responsive to the location of the train and the track characterization information to reduce at least one of wheel wear and/or track wear during operation of the train over the segment of track.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an alarm state from one or more inspection systems that inspects one or more components of a vehicle system. The method then identifies operational parameters of the vehicle system. The operational parameters represent at least one of a current location of the vehicle system, a current terrain over which the vehicle system is currently travelling, an upcoming terrain that the vehicle system is travelling toward, a current moving speed of the vehicle system, a position of one or more controls of the vehicle system, a state of a brake of the vehicle system or an identification of one or more vehicle units in the vehicle system. The method then selects and implements a mitigating action to implement from plural different mitigating actions based on the alarm state and the one or more parameters of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for vehicle control comprises determining a braking capability of a braking system of a rail vehicle or other vehicle, and modifying application of at least one mission parameter by a control system of the vehicle based on the determined braking capability. Braking capability may be determined by activating the braking system of the vehicle to apply a braking force on the vehicle, and concurrently, applying a level of tractive effort of the vehicle is sufficient to overcome the braking force. The braking capability is determined based on the level of tractive effort.